By Francisco Salazar

Karlos Balderas is as smart in a boxing ring as he is outside of it. Balderas understands the fight game very well, but also wants to have as much say about his young and promising pro career.

Which is why he, along with his older brother Jose, are fighting more often in recent fights.

Balderas will face veteran Giovanni Caro tonight in a six round bout at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Jose Balderas will also see action, facing Jose Flores Chanez in a four round bout.

The 22-year-old Balderas came out of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro with much fanfare. Balderas made his pro debut on Apr. 9 of last year, but did not fight again until almost four months later.

After likely watching his fellow Olympians fight with more frequency and on television, Balderas has maintained a busier schedule. Tonight marks his third fight of 2018, and fourth in a span of seven and a half months.

"I've always had that pro style in the amateurs," Balderas recently told Boxingscene.com. "Now we're working to refine and get better. As you saw in my last fight (against Alex Silva in Los Angeles on June 9), I'm sitting down more on my punches and measuring my opponents."

"As far as activity, I'm glad I am fighting more often."

Balderas resides in the California Central Coast city of Santa Maria. Balderas would eventually like to fight before family and friends in the Santa Maria area.

It is something he has brought up to Richard Schaefer, head of Ringstar Promotions, and advisor Al Haymon.

"I would love to fight in Santa Maria," said Balderas. "There is talk of me and my brother fighting in Santa Maria towards the end of the year or early next year. I know Richard has reached out to the Chumash Casino Resort (in nearby Santa Ynez). There's talk of having the fight at a local high school. Even Allan Hancock (Junior) College is a possibility."

Both Balderas brothers understand the boxing business, but believe having a say in their careers will continue to go a long way. That will include fighting often, including in and around their hometown.

"We want to continue getting our names out there," said Jose Balderas. "We hope to continue moving forward and to get better with each fight."

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