By Rafael Soto
Monterrey, Nuevo León - The flyweight Champion of the World Boxing Organization, Julio Cesar "Pingo" Miranda (33-5-1, 26 KOs), and his challenger, Colombian Michel Arango (31-9-5, 25 Ko's), were the faces on Thursday in the beautiful city of Monterrey, Nuevo León, with both predicting victory when sitting in front of media for the final press conference to hype Saturday's bout as part of the Tecate Boxing Tour.
Th event will be promoted by Zanfer and Top Rank and transmited by TV Azteca and Fox Sports as part of the Top Rank Live series.
This will be the second defense for the Mexican fighter, who won the world title after a landslide defeat of the Filipino Richie Mepranum and successfully defending it for the first time, also in Monterrey, his adopted homeland, before the Colombian Ronald Ramos.
"For me it's an honor to defend my belt before the people who saw me grow as a fighter and always have supported me....it's a great motivator and I am committed to win and give a good show to the public," said Miranda, 30 years old.
While the Colombian challenger said he knows the punch and the power of the world champion, but has the weapons to counter the "Pingo".
"It's my chance, now or never, I've seen Miranda fights and he has many flaws. I will get the upset and spoil the evening for the Mexicans," Arango said.
The chief support of the evening will be San Luis Michel "Bravo" Rosales (29-3, 24 Ko's) in a 10-round super welterweight bout with Sonoran Eighth "Tayo" Castro (14-5-1, 9 Ko's) . Rosales has had six straight wins.
In a special presentation, the spectacular Texas prospect Roberto Marroquin, who has forged a record of 15-0 and 12 knockouts, will clash with Rafael Cerrillo Coahuila (4-4, 4 KOs), once again proving his quality in a fight scheduled for eight rounds at Super Bantamweight.
Finally, you will also knockout artist Lizardo "Pajarito" Moreno against Thomas "Phantom" Sierra in a 10 rounder in the featherweight division.
