Mario Barrios in search of another victory, and eventually a title fight

Mario Barrios

Mario Barrios/Photo courtesy of Premier Boxing Champions

 

Mario Barrios has come a long way in a short time. At age 21 and just 2 1/2 years into his pro career, he is 15-0 with eight knockouts and ranked as high as No. 12 by one governing body.

Barrios on July 9 will take on Devis Boschiero (39-4-1, 21 KOs) of Italy in the super featherweight main event at Sun National Bank Center in Trenton, N.J. (on ESPN).

Boschiero is ranked No. 8 in the same poll that ranks Barrios.

“This is what I’ve worked my whole life for, to be fighting in main events on national television,” said Barrios, of San Antonio. “I’m confident that I’ll be able to the full 12 rounds if need be.  My goal is to get the knockout, though. I really want to make a statement in this fight.”

(Barrios has never been scheduled for more than eight rounds.)

Considering the division in which Barrios toils, he needs to make a statement every time out because it is brimming with ferocious talent. Barrios gets that.

“It’s a very tough division loaded with a lot of great fighters,” he said. “I would say (Vasyl) Lomachenko, (Jose) Pedraza and (Francisco) Vargas are the top dogs for now. (Orlando) Salido is also up there. It’s one of the toughest divisions in boxing. I’m hoping I can become a champion in this division. A victory against Boschiero puts me right there to challenge for the title. I’m a hungry fighter and everyone will see that on July 9.”

 

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Glendale’s Gabriel Tolmajyan looking to move up the rankings ladder

Gabriel Tolmajyan of Glendale in April scored a mild upset of Jorge Maysonet Jr. Tolmajyan is hopeful he can keep it going with a victory Friday over Jose Pedraza of Puerto Rico at Morongo Casino Resort in Cabazon (on ESPN2).

“I can’t even describe how badly I want this,” said Tolmajyan, 27. “I feel like this is my opportunity to move up the rankings and solidify my status as one of the best in the (super featherweight) division. This is my time and I know that in this sport you don’t get many, so my plan is to come out and leave it all in the ring.”

The 24-year-old Pedraza (13-0, 9 KOs) is undefeated, just like fellow Puerto Rican Maysonet was before he was upset by Tolmajyan.

Tolmajyan is 14-2-1 with three knockouts.

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