By Francisco Salazar

There is a lot at stake tonight for Oscar Negrete.

Win impressively and become ranked as a bantamweight by a sanctioning body in a deep division. Lose and have to start all over again in a climb up to contender status.

Negrete will face Joshua Franco in a battle of one-loss fighters inside The Hangar at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, California. The 10-round bout will air live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes (10:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. PT).

The 31-year-old Negrete (18-1, 7 knockouts) moved up in weight to challenge WBC junior featherweight titleholder Rey Vargas on Dec. 2, losing a 12 round unanimous decision. Negrete bounced back with an eight round unanimous decision victory over Diuhl Olguin on July 6.

“I’m happy for the opportunity and I’m more than ready to demonstrate that (tonight) to the world,” Negrete told Boxingscene.com over the phone on Monday night. “I’ve been ready for this fight since day one.”

Despite gaining valuable experience in the Vargas fight, Negrete believes he can win a world title belt at 118 pounds.

“I gave up a weight and height advantage to Vargas,” said Negrete, who is originally from Colombia, but now resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Rosemead. “I know I can defeat any bantamweight in boxing. I got that experience of fighting for a world title fight against Vargas.”

“I’m ready for a world title fight, but I know the (World Boxing Super Series) tournament is going on. I would like to fight the winner of the vacant WBC bantamweight world title fight between (mandatory challenger) Nordine Oualaabi and Rau’shee Warren. I want that world title shot.”

Joshua Franco (14-1, 7 KOs) may be nine years younger than Negrete and has trainer Robert Garcia in his corner.

Tonight’s fight is a compelling crossroads fight that will be very competitive. Negrete believes he will do enough to be victorious.

“My motivation is my family. My goal is to be at my best. Having trainer Manny Robles is a blessing because of the quality work we do. My confidence is high because I’ve improved a lot.”

“I have more experience than Franco does, and it will show (tonight) in Costa Mesa.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene.com since September of 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing