A Star in the Making Under the Watchful Eyes of De La Hoya
In a spirited press conference filled with mutual respect, Floyd Schofield and Rene Tellez Giron promised an electrifying main event as they prepare for their Saturday showdown. With Halloween energy buzzing through the room and Oscar De La Hoya donning a Joker costume, Schofield, 22, and undefeated at 17-0 (12 KOs), spoke about his dedication and approach. Known as “Kid Austin,” the Austin-based fighter kept his words short, letting his determination speak louder: “I don’t do a lot of talking. I’m just ready to fight.” For Schofield, fatherhood has brought new focus to his career, emphasizing his dedication to the sport: “Being a new father showed me this isn’t about me anymore.”
Giron, 25, with a record of 20-3 (13 KOs), is widely known for his 2019 knockout of Karlos Balderas. Riding high on a three-fight win streak, he shared his excitement about headlining in Las Vegas for the first time. “I don’t know if he’s taking me seriously, but I am ready for everything,” Giron stated. De La Hoya, ever the enthusiastic promoter, praised Schofield’s star potential, calling him one of the sport’s most thrilling fighters and predicting he’ll be a future champion with undeniable “it-factor.”
Action-Packed Undercard with High Stakes
The undercard promises thrilling matches as well, beginning with Bektemir Melikuziev “Bek the Bully”, who faces David Stevens in a super middleweight WBA eliminator. With a record of 14-1 (10 KOs), Melikuziev is coming off a strong comeback following a 2021 loss and has added humor and spirit to the event. His opponent, Stevens, 24, with an identical record of 14-1 (10 KOs), shared his readiness to show the progress he’s made since his last defeat.
Adding to the night’s excitement, flyweight Gabriela Fundora and Argentina’s Gabriela Alaniz will clash to determine the undisputed champion in their division, marking a potential historic moment as Fundora aims to become the youngest undisputed champion. In other matches, rising super middleweight Darius Fulghum from Houston and prospect Joel Iriarte from Bakersfield, both undefeated, look to further cement their growing reputations.
