Cain Sandoval seems to increase his unbeaten report to 14-0 in opposition to former fringe contender Romero Duno. Photograph by Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
“Sugar” Cain Sandoval’s campaign to change into a respectable contender can take a candy flip with a win in opposition to rugged veteran Ramiro Duno when the junior welterweights meet for a crossroads predominant occasion on Saturday.
Sandoval (11-0, 9 KOs) may very well be on the cusp of stamping his standing as the most recent credible entrant within the 140-pound weight class, whereas the battle-tested Duno (26-4, 20 KOs) seems to be in limbo with one foot already out of boxing’s door ought to he succumb to the ascending Sandoval.
The drama will unfold within the headliner to a 360 Promotions “Hollywood Combat Nights” present on the Chumash On line casino in Santa Ynez, California, streamed reside on UFC Combat Cross.
“I’m able to show that I’m on the elite stage,” Sandoval informed The Ring throughout a current media exercise on the Wild Card Boxing Membership in Hollywood, California.
“The sky is the restrict for me. I really feel that I can accomplish rather a lot. I really feel like I’m one of many prime guys, however the world must see it. The arduous work and sacrifice will repay quickly. After this combat, the 140-pound division will take me severely.
“I see Duno as my subsequent sufferer. I simply don’t assume he’s on my stage. No disrespect, but it surely’s both you or me in that ring. He higher be prepared. It feels prefer it ought to be a brief night time, however I don’t overlook anybody.”
Sandoval is coached by Marcus Javier. The Sacramento-based slugger turned professional in 2021 and kicked off his profession with 9 consecutive KOs, however his final two outings this 12 months have gone the 10-round distance in opposition to 2008 United States Olympian Javier Molina and powerful Angel Rebollar.
Cain Sandoval works mitts together with his coach Marcus Javier. Photograph Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
“It doesn’t matter if we get the KO, however I really feel like we’re going to get the KO in opposition to Duno as a result of we’ve been coaching arduous,” mentioned Sandoval. “We discovered from the final two fights to not search for the knockout, and to be extra affected person. I used to be attempting too arduous to get the knockouts, however (extra) importantly I bought the victories.”
The 22-year-old Sandoval says he’s a pupil of the candy science as properly, learning all-time greats like Sugar Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Salvador Sanchez, and Roberto Duran to include sure expertise into his repertoire.
“I take little items from everybody, however I’m my very own boxer,” mentioned Sandoval.
360 Promotions head Tom Loeffler is bullish on one of many up-and-comers of his rising secure.
“Cain Sandoval has an amazing future,” Loeffler informed The Ring. “We now have an amazing quantity of confidence in him. He’s an thrilling fighter who brings continuous motion. He’s in a really powerful combat in opposition to Duno, however we imagine in Cain one hundred pc. Our motto is matching our guys powerful. They don’t have blown-up undefeated data, they usually show it each time they step within the ring. So as to beat Duno, that you must be a world-class fighter. He’s proper on the point of changing into a world-class fighter and breaking into the world scores.
“We’re envisioning an amazing 2025 for Cain, preventing 4 occasions. The 140-pound weight class is open proper now. With a number of extra wins, I believe Cain can work his approach properly into the image. He’s so heavy-handed and is a stress fighter with tenacity who brings motion.”
Promoter Tom Loeffler with Sandoval and Romero Duno. Photograph by Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
Duno will attempt to spoil Sandoval’s plans and save his profession on the identical time. Over the past 5 years, Duno has been knocked out every time he’s stepped up in competitors in opposition to Ryan Garcia, Frank Martin, and most not too long ago in January, a sixth-round stoppage in opposition to Antonio Moran.
The 28-year-old Filipino doesn’t sound like he can abdomen one other loss.
“I do know he’s planning to knock me out, however I’ll exhibit that I’m not finished in boxing but,” Duno informed The Ring. “I cannot waste my expertise or effort. He’s opponent, and I’m going to do my greatest to win. As a result of this combat may very well be my final if I lose. I’ll cease boxing. That’s why I’m very motivated and I’m coaching arduous. Both I’m getting the knockout, or I’m getting knocked out.”
Additionally set to be featured on the five-fight card are mild heavyweight prospect Umar Dzambekov (8-0, 5 KOs), who’ll be preventing for the primary time in 2024 after competing in six bouts final 12 months, in addition to Kazakhstani junior middleweight standout Sadriddin “Soldier of Q” Akhmedov (13-0, 11 KOs), who’ll be making his United States debut.
Gentle heavyweight prospect Umar Dzambekov. Photograph by Lina Baker / 360 Promotions
“The nice factor is that we are able to maintain all of our guys on the 360 Promotions roster energetic,” mentioned Loeffler. “[UFC president and CEO] Dana White has been very supportive of constructing boxing on UFC Combat Cross. He sees the sort of matchups we make, and the sort of engagement we get, particularly from UFC followers. He’s proud of our scores and sold-out exhibits.”
The UFC Combat Cross stream is about to start out at 7:00 p.m. PT on August 31.
Manouk Akopyan is a sports activities journalist, author and broadcast reporter whose work has appeared on ESPN, Fox Sports activities, USA Right now, The Guardian, Newsweek, Males’s Well being, NFL.com, Los Angeles Instances, Philadelphia Inquirer, Ring Journal, and extra. He’s been writing for BoxingScene since 2018. Manouk is a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America and the MMA Journalists Affiliation. He might be reached on X (previously Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube, via electronic mail at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com or by way of www.ManoukAkopyan.com.
