When junior bantamweight Kevin Soltero earned the biggest win of his career, he wasn’t in Kansas anymore.

Soltero of Kansas City, Kansas, won a majority decision over local-favorite Andrew Rodriguez in the second fight of the night on ProBox TV’s Wednesday Night Fights from Chicken Ranch Casino Resort in Jamestown, California. 

Soltero, 19, was waiting for an opportunity to show his skills to the world. 

“I took this fight on two-and-a-half week notice and pulled it off,” Soltero told BoxingScene after his win. “I feel great.”

Rodriguez, who is now 5-1 (1 KO), suffered a cut to his left eye in the second round from an accidental head clash. Despite blood flowing down Rodriguez’s face, he still pressed forward as Soltero was landing solid shots, but Rodriguez showed the heart of a warrior. The fight was a ProBox ideal: two young fighters putting it all on the line for the chance to get a bigger opportunity in the future. (Disclosure: ProBox TV owns BoxingScene.)

“I took this 50-50 fight knowing this could open more doors for me,” Soltero, 4-0 (2 KOs) said. “That is why I took this fight.”

Soltero turned professional last year. He has fought three times, twice in Kansas City and once in Lincoln, Nebraska. 

“I had to hunt him down. I knew he was a boxer-type of fighter. I knew I had to walk him down,” Soltero said. “I couldn’t let him breathe for nothing.” 

After the big win, what Soltero wants is simple.

“Anything, man, anything,” Soltero said. “I feel like I am ready for everything.”