By Jake Donovan
The city of Mazatlan continues to celebrate the reign of its first ever champion, Pedro Guevara. For the third time in as many fights, the defending 108 lb. titlist will keep it at home as he is penciled in for a September 26 showcase against an opponent to be determined.
The event will once again take place at Centro de Usos Multiples in Mazatlan, Sinaloa, Mexico. Guevara returns to the venue on the heels of a 12-round decision win over mandatory contender Ganigan Lopez earlier this month, which followed a 1st round knockout of Richard Claveras in a triumphant homecoming this past April.
Local fans and government have made the most of Guevara’s junior flyweight winning effort, which came on the road in a 7th round knockout of former two-division champ Akira Yaegashi just shy of New Year’s Eve in Tokyo, Japan. The win netted the 26-year old boxer his first title after coming up short in a previous attempt, a 12-round loss to John Riel Casimero in Aug. ’12.
The title loss was Guevara’s last fight in Mazatlan prior to his return earlier this year. Commemorating the confirmation of his third straight fight at home, Guevara paid tribute with a visit to Mazatlan Mayor Carlos Gonzalez Felton.
“Pedro wanted to personally thank the mayor for his unconditional support of his career and for bringing boxing to the city of Mazatlan,” noted Oswaldo Küchle of Promociones del Pueblo, Guevara’s promoter. “As a token of gratitude, he donated to the mayor’s office the very trunks worn in his most recent victory, which took place in front of 6,000 enthusiastic hometown fans.”
Guevara (26-1-1, 17KOs) has won his last eight starts, beginning with a 12-round win over former strawweight champ Raul Garcia in March ’13. Included among his current win streak is a unanimous decision victory over Mario Rodriguez, another former strawweight titlist with whom Guevara drew in their March ’11 clash.
The September 26 show will air live on Televisa, marking his third straight headlining appearance on the network’s ‘Sabados de Box’ series,
Jake Donovan is the managing editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox