Jesse Magdaleno spurns Olympic chances, goes pro with Top Rank
Amateur superstar Jesse Magdaleno has signed an exclusive promotional contract with Top Rank, despite the company’s insistence he stick around the amateurs for the 2012 Olympics.
Magdaleno, 18, fought at 119lb for most of his career, and accumulated an impressive amateur record of 120-16, with six national titles, including the National Golden Gloves and the U.S. Nationals.
Magdaleno will look to make his professional debut Saturday, 6 November on the Juan Manuel Lopez-Rafael Marquez title fight undercard. The fights will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena. Magdaleno
will alongside his brother, super featherweight Diego (16-0, 4 KOs), who will take on Derrick Campos in an eight-round fight. Diego is likewise promoted by Top Rank.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said of the signing: “In Jesse we look for an extraordinarily talented young man who will carry the banner of his hometown both in arenas in Las Vegas and elsewhere around the boxing
world.”
Top Rank’s Hall of Fame matchmaker, Bruce Trampler, said: “Jesse is 18 and has a chance to be a special fighter in years to come. Right now, he's one of America's best amateurs, and we believe he can
become one of our best professionals.”
Magdaleno, a self-described boxer-puncher, will be co-trained by veteran Pat Barry and Augie Sanchez.
Magdaleno said: “I always liked the way Top Rank handled and cared for my older brother Diego which is one of reasons I signed with Top Rank. It is a big company with a lot of history. I am very excited
to be fighting for Top Rank and to be making my professional debut on the same card as my brother. I can’t wait for November 6."
Bob Arum reportedly tried to get Magdaleno to remain in the amateurs until after the 2012 London Olympics so that he could vie for a medal.
"I had him in the office and talked with him at length last week and I tried to convince him to stay in the amateurs, because he's only 18, and try to win a gold medal in 2012,” Arum said. “I had him
convinced and then he went downstairs with his father and [trainer] Pat Barry, and then he came back up and said, no, he wants to go pro."
Tags: