Karlos Balderas Now With Top Rank, Fights In August
Decorated 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas,, is now with a new promotional home as he signed today a multi-fight promotional pact with Top Rank. The 25-year-old Balderas, from Santa Maria, California, will make his Top Rank debut Saturday, Aug. 14.
After fighting most of his professional bouts as a lightweight, Balderas will now campaign as a junior lightweight. He will make his world title charge with Buddy McGirt as his head trainer and a new manager, Sam Katkovski of Churchill Management.
✍️ SIGNED ✔️
Decorated U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas has inked a multi-year deal with Top Rank, ready to make a run in the loaded 130-pound division.
The now-Junior Lightweight will make his TR debut Saturday, August 14 on an ESPN platform 🥊 pic.twitter.com/FJGP46KV0p
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 1, 2021
“Karlos Balderas was one of the most talented fighters coming out of the 2016 Rio Olympics, and I strongly believe he still has what it takes to become a world champion,” said Top Rank chairman Bob Arum. “Buddy McGirt is a fantastic trainer who I’m confident will tap into Karlos’ boundless potential.”
Balderas said, “When I first turned pro, deep down inside, I knew Top Rank was the way to go. With the talent and excitement I bring to the table, they’re going to promote the hell out of me. Thank you to Sam Katkovski, Bob Arum, and everyone at Top Rank. I always come back better and stronger. Don’t believe me? Just watch!”
Balderas (9-1, 8 KOs) advanced to the quarterfinals of the lightweight bracket at the Rio Olympics, the conclusion of a reported 175-9 amateur ledger that included victories over the likes of Ruben Villa and Hector Tanajara. He turned pro in April 2017 with a first-round stoppage and notched nine wins in his first two-plus years in the paid ranks before suffering a stunning sixth-round stoppage at the hands of Rene Tellez Giron in December 2019. Balderas has not fought since the Giron defeat, but with a new manager, trainer, and promoter, the road towards a title begins Aug. 14.
Marquis Johns is a unknown humorist and avid boxing fan. His love for the sweet science goes back to when matches were 15 rounds and has been covering fights since closed-circuit pay-per-views. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth is not only a quote by Mike Tyson, it's also a pretty good reminder to keep your guard up.
