By Ryan Maquiñana

The TeleFutura cameras have traveled to Northern California quite frequently this year, and that trend will continue when Solo Boxeo Tecate comes to the Woodland Community Senior Center on Dec. 16, according to promoter Don Chargin.

The venue, which holds about 1,000 seats, will also be the stage for a very special tribute to former WBA junior welterweight champion Loreto Garza, who remains the only world titlist to come out of the city of Woodland.

“It’s going to be great to close the year with another nationally televised card here,” Chargin said.  “We’ve got two local fighters in Paul Mendez and Guy Robb in separate fights against opponents to be named, and we’re going to present an award to my all-time favorite fighter that I’ve promoted over 60 years in Loreto Garza.”

In the main event, Mendez (7-2, 2 KOs), a 6’1’’ rangy middleweight from Walnut Creek via Delano, has bounced back from a razor-thin split decision defeat on the cards to James Parison by posting a dominant unanimous decision win over Loren Myers on TeleFutura last month.

With trainer Daniel Coca in his corner, the 22-year-old self-proclaimed “Blaxican” who goes by “El Gallo Negro” in the ring has earned acclaim from none other than two-time welterweight world champion Andre Berto, whom he prepared as his main sparring partner in the Haitian sensation’s last fight against Jan Zaveck two months ago.

“[Paul]’s been giving me some great work,” Berto said back in August.  “He’s definitely helped me step my game up.”

In the co-main, Robb (6-0, 2 KOs), a 22-year-old unbeaten junior lightweight prospect from nearby Sacramento, has a decorated amateur career that includes featherweight gold at the 2008 Ringside World Championships.

Representing the Bloodhounds gym under the tutelage of the late Diego Corrales’ stepfather, Ray Woods, Robb’s explosive all-out war with Manuel Morales in Fairfield earlier this year had the fans screaming in pandemonium; it currently stands as the front-runner for Fight of the Year in the region.

“I'm getting closer and closer to home.  Woodland is just up the freeway!” Robb exclaimed.  “I can't wait to fight in front of all my people again.  I love it.  And it’s perfect timing now so I can buy my son something nice for Christmas. Unfortunately I’m a have to hurt somebody during the holidays, but that's the game.”

On the undercard, unbeaten junior welterweight Jonathan Chicas of San Francisco (3-0, 2 KOs), who also logged rounds sparring with Berto, takes on highly touted amateur Paul Cano, who will be making the trip north from Clovis for his pro debut.

Junior middleweight Mike Ortega (2-0, 1 KOs) of Sacramento will also see action, and another bout between welterweights Oscar Godoy (3-1, 1 KOs) of Watsonville and Luis Sanchez (1-6) of Fairfield is in the works.

Golden Boy will promote the card in association with Don Chargin Productions, Paco Presents, and Jorge Marron Productions.  Tickets are reportedly $30, $40, and $60 and can be purchased at Paco’s Restaurant in Woodland.  Call (530) 669-7946 for more information.

Ryan Maquiñana is the boxing correspondent at Comcast SportsNet Bay Area, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America, and Ring Magazine’s Ratings Advisory Panel.  E-mail him at rmaquinana@gmail.com, check out his blog at www.maqdown.com or follow him on Twitter: @RMaq28.