Andy Vences/Photo courtesy of BoxRec

Andy Vences of San Jose turned pro in October 2012, when he was 21. Nearly four years later, he is 15-0 with 10 knockouts. But he’s 25, so if he’s ever going to really make a run at something of substance, he’s going to have to step on the gas a little bit because he’s still fighting eight-rounders.

Vences will try to take a step in that direction when he takes on Moises Delgadillo of Mexico in the junior lightweight semi-main event July 9 at Tachi Palace Hotel & Casino in Lemoore (on UniMas). It’s still just an eight-round fight, but he’s slated to fight again on Sept. 10 at the same venue, which would give him three fights in 2016 with the ability to have at least one more before 2017.

Vences said the focus in training camp has been to get stronger and faster, and he’s anxious to display the progress he’s made in those areas.

“This fight is very important to me,” Vences said. “I want to do well and show my improvements. I felt that we worked harder and with more intensity for this fight and it will show in the ring.”

What Vences would seem to need to do after this fight – assuming he’s victorious – is tangle with better opposition. Delgadillo is just 15-15 -2 with eight knockouts. Still, Vences is taking Delgadillo seriously.

“I looked at some videos of Delgadillo and he is a come-forward, high-volume puncher that likes to go toe-to-toe in the ring,” Vences said. “We have worked on some things specifically for him, like putting and landing more combinations on him. I know he is very hungry and will come to win, so I have to be at my best to win this fight.”