By Francisco Salazar

Professional boxing returns to the San Gabriel Valley of Southern California tonight.
In the main event, junior middleweight Gaku Takahashi will fight John Hayes at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, Calif. The six round bout will headline an eight-bout ‘Battle of the Rising Stars’ card, presented by All Star Boxing Promotions.

Takahashi (13-5-1, 6 KOs) has won his last two bouts in a row since arriving to live and train in Southern California. In his last bout on May 23, Hays (4-1-4) fought to a six round split decision draw against Aaron Coley.

In another six round bout, cruiserweight Deon Elam will fight Rafael Valenzuela. Elam (13-2, 7 KOs) was knocked out in the second round at the hands of Victor Emilio Ramirez on October 31. He is best known for appearing on “The Contender” reality series over five years ago. After winning his first seven consecutive bouts, Valenzuela (8-4, 1 KO) has lost four of his last five bouts.

Isaac Dogboe will fight Jonathan Alcantara (7-12-1, 1 KO) in a six round featherweight bout. Dogboe (5-0, 2 KOs) is originally from Ghana and fought his first two bouts in Europe.

In another six round featherweight bout, Xavier Montelongo (6-3-1, 2 KOs) will fight Jesus Sandoval (4-5-3). Montelongo resides in nearby East Los Angeles.

In four round bouts:

- Johnny Reyes (4-0, 1 KO) will fight Carlos Gonzalez (1-6) in junior welterweight action.

- Junior lightweight Francisco Ochoa will make his pro debut against Misael Chacon (1-6).

- Lightweight Emmanuel Nieves (3-0, 1 KO) will square off against Osman Rivera (2-7-1).

- Welterweight Samuel Antwi (2-0, 2 KOs) will fight Andrew Stafford (0-1), who will be fighting for the first time in almost eight years.
For tickets and information, call (323) 816-6200 or (323) 781-4871.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Salazar also covers boxing for the Ventura County (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing