Julio Ceja Still Gunning For Bantamweight Glory

The thing about fighting for your first major title at just 20 years of age is that perhaps you are not fully ready for such an opportunity.

The upside is that there's plenty of time to regroup and rebuild if the night doesn't go as planned. 

Still very much in the prime of his career at 22, Julio Ceja is confident that a bantamweight title is within his future. The hard-hitting contender continues to build towards another crack at alphabet glory, seeking to extend his winning streak to five straight as he faces Oscar Blanquet in a scheduled 12-round bout tonight in Jiqulipilco, Mexico.

The bout serves as the chief support to a flyweight clash between Mariana 'La Barbie' Juarez and Naoka Fujioka, with both fights airing live on Televisa. 

Ceja has remained one of the top bantamweights in the world despite falling short in his lone title bid. The opportunity came on the road, dropping a narrow decision to Jamie McDonnell in their May '13 vacant title fight in England. 

Four straight wins have followed - all by knockout - as he heads into Saturday's bout with the support of a nation behind him. 

"I'll be a few miles from my home and will have all of my fans behind me, which is important," notes Ceja (28-1, 26KOs). "As always, I will leave it all in the ring and leave everyone satisfied, whether in attendance or at home watching on television."

With a win tonight, Ceja is expected to land a crack at unbeaten bantamweight titlist Shinsuke Yamanaka at some point this year. Yamanaka will next defend his title on April 16, facing unbeaten Argentine boxer Diego Santillan in Tokyo, Japan. 

Ceja is currently the mandatory challenger, though will likely have to hit the road for a desired second title fight.