Cain Sandoval desires to battle the very best fighters at 140 kilos.
Earlier than that occurs, Sandoval should defeat Angel Rebollar Saturday evening on the Commerce On line casino in Commerce, California. The ten-round bout will stream dwell on UFC Combat Move (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).
In his final battle on February 23, Sandoval (12-0, 11 knockouts) defeated former high prospect and beginner standout Javier Molina by unanimous resolution. It was a powerful victory, contemplating Molina’s skill-set and who he has confronted up to now in his professional profession.
Regardless of the expertise favoring Molina, Sandoval, who resides in Sacramento, California, by no means doubted his psychological fortitude and improved skill-set going into the battle.
“Mentally stepping into, I used to be not going to let his expertise get to me,” Molina advised The Ring final week. “I knew I used to be smarter and higher than him. He did take my punches, particularly to the physique. His expertise did come into play. I’m not stunned the battle performed out the way in which it did. I’m extra stunned that he took my punches.”
The 21-year-old Sandoval will face a fighter in Rebollar (8-3, 3 KOs), who has confronted unbeaten fighters or high prospects since turning professional in July 2021. In his final bout on November 4, Rebollar defeated unbeaten prospect Omar Rosario by unanimous resolution. Rebollar additionally defeated Justin Cardona, who was additionally unbeaten, however suffered his lack of his professional profession by the hands of Abdullah Mason in August 2022.
Rebollar is a strong boxer-puncher, and comes ahead to throw a number of punches, however Sandoval is assured his fashion won’t be toomuch for Rebollar.
“I do know he hasn’t confronted nobody like me,” mentioned Rebollar, who’s managed by Oscar Sanchez. “I do know he’s fought high prospects, however I’m not these fighters. I’m not going into the battle in search of the knockout, nevertheless it comes, it comes.”
Sandoval has cut up time coaching and sparring in Northern and Southern California. These days, he has sparred on the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside.
The quantity of high quality sparring he has gotten in opposition to high fighters, contenders, and prospects has improved his skill-set, one thing he believes all fighters ought to do, if they’re critical about their professional profession.
“I enjot it so much,” mentioned Sandoval. “I like testing myself in opposition to high fighters. Just lately, I’ve been sparring (light-weight contender) Raymond Muratalla. We went at it with no breaks, from the beginning of spherical one till the final spherical. I feel it’s necessary for all fighters to spar in opposition to world class opposition.”
Regardless of solely having 12 fights as a professional, Sandoval already considers himself as a contender at 140 kilos.
Sandoval desires the smoke and believes he is able to face any or all the high fighters within the junior welterweight division.
“I feel I skipped the prospect stage, particularly with the battle in opposition to Molina. I feel I’ve matured so much and gotten higher, particularly my skill-set, mentality, and my ring IQ. I’m simply going to maintain doing what has labored.
“I’m prepared for anybody within the high 10 or 15 within the division. I’m prepared for all of them. It’s as much as my supervisor and promoter on what route my profession goes, however I’m keen to face anybody. All they need to say is when and I’m there to indicate up. I’m one of many high fighters at 140 kilos.”
Whereas different promoters ignored or by no means thought-about signing Sandoval, Loeffler took a robust liking to him, primarily for his fashion and punching energy.
Sandoval is grateful for the chance given to him by Tom Loeffler. He’s motivated to excel within the ring and show he belongs.
“Promoters most likely didn’t take me severely,” mentioned Sandoval, the daddy of two small daughters. “My supervisor Oscar had Tom watch movie of me. I had that 100-percent knockout ratio and he preferred my fashion. I’m grateful for the chance given to me.”
Francisco A. Salazar has written for The Ring since October 2013 and has lined boxing in Southern California and overseas since 2000. Francisco additionally covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He will be reached at [email protected]
