by Francisco Salazar
Unbeaten welterweight Taras Shelestyuk will fight Erick Martinez this Friday night, Thompson Boxing Promotions matchmaker Alex Camponovo told BoxingScene.com.
The 10 round bout will take place at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, Calif.
Shelestyuk (13-0, 8 KOs) has not fought since November 6, when he decisioned Aslanbek Kozaev over 10 one-sided rounds in Las Vegas, Nev.
The former amateur standout and 2012 Olympic Bronze Medalist, who will defend his WBA Intercontinental title, is co-promoted by Thompson Boxing and Banner Promotions.
Martinez (11-4-1, 5 KOs) was knocked out by Min Wook Kim in the fifth round of his last bout on January 23. He has lost his last four bouts in a row.
In the main event of the 'New Blood' card, junior featherweight Danny Roman will square off against Cristian Esquivel in a 10 round bout.
Roman (18-2-1, 6 KOs), who will be defending his NABA title, has won his last 10 bouts in a row. He is ranked number 14 by the WBA.
Esquivel (28-9, 21 KOs) was stopped by unbeaten Rey Vargas in the third round of his last bout on February 27. He has lost five of his last six bouts.
Hard-hitting welterweight Roberto Arraiza (11-0, 10 KOs) of Nicaragua will make his United States debut on Friday night, taking on Cameron Kreal (8-9-2, 1 KO) in an eight round bout.
Four more fights round out the card.
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 (CA) Star newspaper, RingTV, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing