Before WBC junior bantamweight titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada takes on Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in the main event on Saturday in Phoenix, two unbeaten junior featherweights will step into the ring: Arturo Cardenas and Danny Flores Barrios. Both fighters are eager to prove themselves and gain recognition on the club boxing circuit.
Cardenas, who trains at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy, will face Barrios in a 10-round bout in Phoenix that will be broadcast on DAZN. The winner will gain exposure, more attention and a shot at a title shot. Cardenas has only competed in one 10-round bout, while Barrios has never competed in a 10-round bout.
Cardenas (13-0, 8 KOs), a 23-year-old Mexican native, was highly anticipated by some but fell out of the spotlight after a draw with Juan Hernandez Martinez on the Top Rank bubble. He has since rebuilt with the help of Stockton-based promoter Jorge Toscano. Cardenas also has the most notable win of the two, a majority decision victory over Alexis de Luna in December 2022. De Luna was undefeated at the time.
Barrios (15-0, 5 KOs), 26, is a rising star in the region who believes he can do more but has yet to make a big step up in his game. He has only faced five fighters with a winning record, none of whom stood out as standouts. This will be a win-or-lose match for both fighters.
“This is a step up and I'm ready to show what I can do,” Cardenas said. “You're going to see a great fight, a great war between me and Barrios.”
Barrios fired back: “The fight will be decided by style. I'm sure me and Arturo will give everyone a great fight. It's a big thing for me, not just because it's a big fight, but because I'll be fighting in my hometown.”
Barrios added that he has put that experience to good use in 2022, but Cardenas is committed to being at his best.
“Every time we come to camp we are always working on improving our style, so you will see a better version of Arturo Cardenas on Saturday,” he said.
