By Jake Donovan
One week after making his own ring return, Miguel Cotto takes off the boxing gloves and dons his promoter's cap as his promotional company presents action in Aguada, Puerto Rico.
The June 13 show is headlined by local spoiler, Josean Figueroa in a scheduled eight-round junior featherweight bout with Jonell Nieves. The bout is part of the latest installment of Univision Puerto Rico's Boxeo Al Maximo series.
Figueroa (8-3-2, 7KOs) enjoyed a career revival in his previous appearance on the series, fighting to a draw with then-unbeaten prospect Jose 'Wonder Boy' Lopez in February. The feat was enough to earn the respect of Cotto and co-promoter Hector Soto to top a show mere minutes from his Aguadilla hometown.
“I am ready to fight anyone I feel great at this point of my career," Figueroa insists. “I had a great performance against Jose Lopez (this) past February and now Hector and Miguel Cotto gave me this opportunity to fight in my hometown”, Figueroa said.
Saturday's bout draws interesting parallels to his previous fight. Like Figueroa heading into his ring return in Februay, Nieves (4-1, 3KOs) hasn't fought since Oct. '12.
“I know that I have been out of the ring for (a long time). I have taken my training very seriously and I will prove it on Saturday night when I defeat Josean”, Nieves insists.
In supporting capacity, unbeaten junior bantamweight Carlos ‘Kid’ Narvaez faces local veteran Omar ‘Pastor’ Soto in a six-round fight.
“I know Omar Soto very well he is a very well experienced fighter but I am willing to do my job and get the victory”, said Narvaez (10-0, 6KOs), who scored a 5th round stoppage in his Boxeo Al Maximo debut—and also his most recent ring apperance—this past March.
Soto (15-14-1, 6KOs) is a former junior flyweight contender who has hit very hard times in recent years. However, the 32-year old—who hasn't won a fight in more than five years—hopes fighting in his birth town will change his luck.
“All over my career I have had some up and downs. But this time I feel very well and full trained for Narvaez. I will show him what is ring experience”, Soto said.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox