The training of prospect Daniel Barrera continues.
With recommendation from one among boxing’s dwelling legends, the unbeaten prospect hopes to graduate to the higher echelon of the flyweight division.
Barrera will face Christian Robles tonight on the Chumash On line casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California. The eight-round bout will precede the primary occasion bout between unbeaten junior middleweight Callum Walsh and Carlos Ortiz.
Each fights will stream stay on UFC Battle Go (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).
At Thursday’s weigh-in, Barrera weighed in at 112 kilos. Robles got here in at 111.4 kilos.
The Barrera-Robles battle was elevated to co-main occasion standing after the Karlos Balderas-Gilberto Zarate battle was canceled after Zarate got here in considerably above the 137-pound contracted weight.
Barrera (6-0-1, 4 knockouts), who resides in Riverside, California, will face Robles in a crossroads conflict between Los Angeles-area prospects. Robles (8-2, 3 KOs) might have misplaced his final two fights, however Barrera shouldn’t be overlooking the 27-year-old.
“I’m positively motivated,” Barrera informed The Ring on Monday afternoon. “Positively motivated as a result of I’ve seen who he’s fought, together with an Olympian. He additionally fought towards a fighter with an excellent resume. To be sincere, individuals had been asking me if this was like an L.A. rivalry. It’s not like that. To me, it’s simply one other opponent that we’re going to get out of the best way and go on to the following.”
The 22-year-old has developed right into a high prospect, working with Southern California-based coach Al Franco. He’s additionally an everyday sparring accomplice of former four-weight division world titleholder Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, who has his coaching camp within the Coachella Valley space of Southern California.
Gonzalez was ringside for Barrera’s earlier battle on February 23, a second spherical knockout win over Jonathan Almacen. That battle additionally occurred in Santa Ynez.
After numerous rounds of sparring which have benefitted and improved his ability set, Barrera additionally gravitates to the recommendation given by Gonzalez.
“Seeing somebody that massive come out and watch me battle and in addition discuss to me after the fights, giving me some pointers, not solely on the boxing facet of it, however he really informed my Mother to maintain me out of bother, preserve me away from sure issues as a result of I’ve an excellent future,” mentioned Barrera, who’s managed by Ray Chaparro. “It’s superb listening to stuff like that from him, particularly him. He’s a giant title in our division. He’s the one that basically introduced eyes to our division. To have somebody like him converse extremely of me is nice.”
Tonight will mark Barrera’s third battle of 2024, which included a one-sided choice victory over Hector Valdes Pena in his final bout on April 20.
Barrera believes within the mantra of ‘Exercise issues,’ because it has allowed him to develop his skill-set. After tonight’s battle, Barrera hopes to battle no less than twice extra this 12 months, barring any harm.
“Realistically, we will get, for positive, 5 fights,” mentioned Barrera. “Little question about it, 4. If we will get 5 in there, that might be nice, relying how the fights go. Now, we’re doing eight rounders. Camps are somewhat longer. Our bodies want somewhat bit extra time to recuperate after camps and the fights.
“As a fighter, staying constant like that, consecutively combating, I believe it’s nice. You’re not losing time stepping into form, you’re not losing time getting your timing again, you’re not losing your time getting all that fats off of you. You don’t miss a step. It’s possible you’ll get your timing off just a bit bit nevertheless it doesn’t take lengthy to get it again after every week or two off of coaching and proper again within the health club and preparing for the (subsequent battle). So I choose staying busy. I really feel like, as a result of we stayed busy this 12 months, no setbacks, no accidents, no surgical procedures, something like that. I really feel I’ve improved an excellent quantity in a brief period of time as a fighter.”
Barrera has fought most of his younger profession between 112 and 115 kilos. His current fights have taken place nearer to junior bantamweight.
The battle towards Robles is being fought at flyweight, a weight division Barrera hopes to remain at for some time, the place he may contend and ultimately battle for and win a world title belt.
“Initially, our plan was to start out (my professional profession) at 112 (kilos). Everytime we attempt to get fights at 112, everybody desires to (battle) at 115. I’m undecided why. This battle towards Robles can be at 112. The purpose is unquestionably to be a contender at 112 and get a title at this weight. After we’re prepared to maneuver as much as 115, we are going to transfer as much as 115, do the identical at 112, then transfer as much as 118. I don’t anticipate us to maneuver up anytime quick, to maneuver as much as 118, completely. Most likely one other 12 months or two. Most likely two years. I’m nonetheless rising into my physique. I’ve to be affected person and see the place my physique takes me.”
Barrera continues to make strides as a fighter since his professional debut in July 2022. A part of his improvement has been to see issues by way of his perspective slightly than his coach or supervisor.
A win over Robles, alongside together with his improvement, will validate Barrera’s progress within the ring.
“I’ve realized lots of persistence within the ring. That’s been one of many important issues I needed to study as a fighter. I realized, as a fighter, you’re not going to knock everybody out. Which is sweet as a result of whenever you get all six rounds, you get all of the expertise you will get. Each spherical counts as a professional. You might be 10-0, 10 KOs, however you’re not going to have the identical quantity of expertise as a 10-0 (fighter) that has no KOs as a result of he went the space each battle.
“I can say persistence, ring IQ, boxing IQ, I’ve began to see issues alone. As a fighter, you could experiment issues and if it doesn’t work, then attempt it a unique method. Don’t get discouraged when issues don’t work instantly. I’ve realized lots of persistence, ring IQ, boxing IQ, simply being lively has actually helped me actually concentrate on my craft. I really feel good.”
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 might be reached at [email protected]
Observe @FSalazarBoxing
