Photos/Weights: Beltran vs. Najera, Saucedo vs. Lacerda

LAREDO, TX – Veteran Mexican brawler Ray Beltran wants to return to the world title picture in the lightweight division, but to reach that treasured opportunity of fighting for a world championship, he will first have to battle against Ivan ‘Bam Bam’ Najera this Saturday, May 21 at the Laredo Energy Arena.

Beltran (29-7, 17 KO’s), from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, will take on Najera (16-2 8 KO’s), from San Antonio, Texas, in a eight round lightweight battle that will be the main event of the ‘Solo Boxeo Tecate’ card that will be broadcasted from coast to coast in the United States this Saturday at 11 p.m. ET/PT on UniMas.

"I am very excited for this Saturday. After a very long year I will again have an opportunity to do what I love and for this opportunity I am so grateful,” said Beltran, who is coming from a one-year inactivity period. “Life is full of ups and downs, successes, failures, victories, defeats and Lord knows mistakes. This past year has given me much time to reflect. I have reflected on my life and my career, my triumphs and my mistakes, for which I make no excuses.”

ray-beltran

The veteran fighter assures that he has learned from his mistakes, and now he is seeking a dominant victory that will catapult him into an opportunity to fight for a world title.

“I will not be overlooking my opponent Saturday, Najera is tough fighter and we know he will be bringing his A game. However, I want it to be known that I am completely dedicated and focused on becoming a world champion. I am ready to take anyone in this division,” added Beltran.

In the co-feature and in the bout that will open the UniMas telecast, unbeaten Mexican prospect Álex ‘El Cholo’ Saucedo (21-0, 14 KO’s) from Chihuahua, México, will face Brazil’s Claudinoei Lacerda (17-14-1, 12 KO’s) in a eight round rumble in the super lightweight division.

Also on the card, undefeated Houston prospect Arturo Marquez (1-0, 1 KO) – Son of Raul ‘El Diamante’ Marquez – will make his debut under the Top Rank banner when he fights against Jesus Rodriguez (0-1, 0 KO’s) in a four round welterweight battle.

Weigh-In Results:

• Ray Beltrán 137 lbs - vs. - Iván 'Bam Bam' Najera 138 lbs

• Álex Saucedo 142.2 lbs - vs. - Claudinoei Lacerda 142.6 lbs

• Arturo Márquez 146.4 lbs - vs. - Jesús Rodriguez 148.4 lbs

• Jeremy Longoria 129.6 lbs - vs. - Jorge Castañeda 131 lbs

• Even Torres 155 lbs - vs. - Daniel Baiz  152 lbs

• Derrick Beroit 177.4 lbs - vs. - Joshua Juarez 178.4 lbs

Beltran vs. Najera and Saucedo vs. Lacerda will be televised from coast to coast in the United States tomorrow at 11 p.m. ET/PT on UniMas.

Presented by Top Rank, remaining tickets for ‘Solo Boxeo Tecate’, priced at: $55 (Ringside), $20 (Lower Bowl) y $10 (Upper Bowl) can be purchased at the Laredo Energy Arena box office, on the website www.TicketMaster.com, on select Ticket Master outlets or by calling Ticket Master at: (800) 745-3000. VIP tables are available by calling: 956-791-9192.