Karlos Balderas has a new home. The man who goes by the moniker “King Karlos” will now be promoted by Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions. 

The news hit social media with a photo of Balderas and Loeffler together and showed Balderas signing a contract. 

“Welcome to the family Karlos Balderas,” tweeted 360 Promotions. “Looking forward to big things from you.”

It was also confirmed this week that Balderas, 14-2 (12 KOs), will fight Gilberto Espinoza Zarate on June 7th at the Chumash Casino.

Balderas hails from Santa Maria, Calif, a mere 35-minute drive from the venue in Santa Ynez, Calif. 360 Promotions have held events there before and Balderas could pull in a solid local following to support cards that have already been doing well. 

“For the first time in all of my life I am going to fight at the casino,” Balderas told BoxingScene. “It is pretty much my own backyard. I have always wanted to do this.” 

Balderas is looking forward to being able to showcase his abilities close to home and believes the Central Coast has been waiting for a moment like this – to see local fighters perform. 

“We have had a couple of fighters, but nothing like me,” explained Balderas. “Santa Maria is going to be a ghost town. Everyone is going to be at the fights.”

Balderas was a 2016 Olympian for the United States and he originally signed with Ringstar Promotions. He lost to Rene Tellez Giron via a sixth-round knockout in 2019 and after a two-year layoff, returned with a new promoter, Top Rank Inc. He lost his last fight via majority decision to Nahir Albright.

The bout with Giron is one Balderas wants to revisit later this year. 

“I want to get in the ring and get this ring-rust off since I haven’t fought since July,” explained Balderas. “Maybe when I am fighting [in a 10-round fight], get my rematch with Giron. I know that is something a lot of people have wanted to see.”

Balderas is now managed by his father, Zenon Balderas, and the fighter reckons Loeffler will lead him to a world title shot.