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Sean Michael Ham/Premier Boxing Champions)Isaac Lucero could not ask for a better stage on which to audition for a future title shot.
The unbeaten Mexican junior middleweight is hard at work in training camp ahead of his forthcoming showdown with countryman Roberto Valenzuela Jnr. Their scheduled 10-round battle serves as the opening bout of a four-fight Prime Video Pay-Per-View on October 25 from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Headlining the show, reigning WBC 154lbs titlist Sebastian Fundora, 23-1-1 (15 KOs) defends against former unified welterweight titleholder Keith Thurman, 31-1 (23 KOs).
Lucero, 17-0 (13 KOs) is just outside the WBC’s top 15 at 154lbs, but can easily advance in the rankings with a win over Valenzuela, 31-5 (29 KOs).
That said, his role on October 25 will be to prime the crowd. It should be easy enough, given the matchup.
“We both come to fight and are ready for war,” vowed Lucero during a brief break from preparation in Las Vegas under the watchful eye of Bob Santos. “I’m gonna make people fall in love with my style and continue to grow my fan base with this fight and every fight to come.”
Lucero has stopped each of his past six opponents and made a splash in his most recent outing. The 27-year-old banger from La Paz, Mexico – who now lives and trains in Vegas – scored a second round knockout of unbeaten Omar Valenzuela on a May 31 Prime Video show from nearby Michelob ULTRA Arena. The fight marked his first in the U.S. since his December 2019 pro debut, which took place in Los Angeles.
His rapid ascension through the ranks is hardly a surprise. His father, Isaias Lucero Snr was a mid-level light heavyweight during the 1990s and his older brother Isaias Lucero Jnr, 19-4 (13 Kos) is also an active junior middleweight.
The inspiration to follow in his father and brother’s footsteps, however, came from the family matriarch.
“My mom pushed me into sports to lose some weight and boxing became my way of accomplishing that goal,” said Lucero. “My dad was a national champion and my mom is still my biggest cheerleader, so family and boxing are one in the same for me.
“My mom always encourages me to stay focused and train hard whenever I start to miss my family back home.”
A win over Valenzuela will find Lucero’s name in the discussion with the next crop of contenders in the talent-rich 154lbs division. Already inspired by past Latino greats Julio Cesar Chavez Snr, Roberto Duran, Juan Manuel Marquez and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, Lucero treats every fight as his next step towards his dream of one day joining that illustrious list.
He’s already drawn early comparisons to Alvarez, as he was dubbed “Baby Canelo” by the training team of former two-division champ Devin Haney when they sparred together years ago.
“Being Mexican has taught me that anything is possible if you work hard enough for it,” said Lucero, who trains in Las Vegas with renowned trainer Bob Santos. “The list of Mexican world champions is long. I’m proud of that history and of course want to add my name to that legacy.”
