Oscar Negrete vs. Joshua Franco Headline October 4 at OC Fairgrounds

LOS ANGELES (August 23, 2018): Golden Boy Promotions will bring world-class boxing for the second time this year to the Orange County area as former world title challenger Oscar "El Jaguar" Negrete (18-1, 7 KOs) defends his NABF 118-pound Title against Joshua "The Professor" Franco (14-1, 7 KOs)in the 10-round main event of the Oct. 4 edition of Golden Boy Boxing on ESPN at the Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif. ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes will air the fights beginning at 10:30 ET/7:30 p.m. PT. ESPN 3 will live stream the fights beginning at 9:00 p.m. ET/ 6:00 PT.

"I'm very happy to be fighting this October," said Oscar Negrete. "Franco is a good fighter. He's intelligent and strong. We have to be very careful and be very prepared for this fight. We hope that this fight puts me at the top of the 118-pound division. I looked for the opportunity at 122 pounds and it didn't go as planned, but I hope that a victory against Franco gives me another shot in the division where I actually belong, which is bantamweight."

"This is the step-up fight I need to fight for a world title," said Joshua Franco. "Negrete is the perfect fighter for me to demonstrate that I'm a world-class talent. We know he's very strong and experienced, but I'm positive that I have the skills to put on a great show and to win my first regional title."

In the co-main event, Daniel Zorrilla (7-0, 6 KOs) of Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and part of the Miguel Cotto Promotions stable, will return in an eight-round 140-pound fight. Jousce "Tito" Gonzalez (8-0, 8 KOs) of Glendora, Calif. will participate in a six-round super featherweight fight. Herbert "Ace"Acevedo (15-2, 6 KOs), a Garden City, Kansas native who calls the Westside Boxing Club in Los Angeles is home, will participate in an eight-round super lightweight battle.