Coachella Valley Fighter Steps Into SHOWTIME Co-Feature
In Front of Hometown Crowd On ShoBox: The New Generation
At Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, Calif.
Omar Figueroa vs. Ramon Ayala
Randy Caballero vs. Jose Luis Araiza
Friday, March 16, LIVE on SHOWTIME® at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast)
Randy “El Matador” Caballero’s manager Cameron Dunkin feels his fighter is at the top of a long list of hugely talented Coachella Valley boxers who are ready to bust out and contend for multiple world championships.
“He’s a terrific talent and had a fantastic amateur career,” said Dunkin, who also manages Two-Division World Champion Nonito Donaire, former Middleweight World Champion Kelly Pavlik and former Lightweight World Champion Brandon Rios. “He’s just part of this really good group of fighters from that Indio area that is really hot. Randy sells tickets and the crowd loves him. He’s an exciting, energetic fighter who I think will be a world champion someday.”
Caballero (13-0, 7 KO’s) will make his ShoBox debut in what will be the toughest test of his career against Tecate, Mexico’s Jose Luis “Tapitas” Araiza (29-5-1, 20 KO’s) in a 10-round bantamweight co-featured bout. In the main event, undefeated prospect Omar Figueroa Jr. (14-0-1, 11 KO’s), of Weslaco, Texas, will take on Morelos, Mexico’s Ramon “Nino De Oro” Ayala (23-2-1, 11 KO’s) in a 10-round lightweight fight.
The ShoBox doubleheader, which is presented by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, DeWalt Tools and AT&T, will be televised live at 11 p.m. ET/PT (delayed on the West Coast) on SHOWTIME®.
Trained by his father Marcos and brother Robert, Caballero has won his last seven consecutive bouts – and eight overall – at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino. The 21-year-old prospect answered six questions just days before the fight.
QUESTION: More than half of your pro fights have been in Indio. Are you on a first-name basis with most of the employees at Fantasy Springs?
Caballero: “Oh, yeah. They’re all like family to me. I see them and they say good luck and they wish me well. The boxing fans in Indio are very knowledgeable and have been so great to me and I thank them for that. When I start my ring walk and I hear the crowd I get so pumped because I know they are all rooting for me. It’s a real advantage and something I’m thankful for.”
QUESTION: What does it mean for you get the call from SHOWTIME and to appear on ShoBox?
Caballero: “When I got the call from SHOWTIME I just couldn’t believe it. I know it’s the next step for me and that my career is on the right path. This SHOWTIME fight will just get my name out there even more and show that I’m capable of being one of the greatest boxers out there. We do have a good crop of fighters from this area and we want to showcase that. There’s no better place to do that than on SHOWTIME.”
QUESTION: You’ve been boxing for more than half your life. Did you ever have dreams of doing anything else?
Caballero: “No, not really. I just love the feeling that I get when I step into the ring. I’ve been fighting since I was eight years old. It’s what I know and what I love.”
QUESTION: Do you follow the sport and consider yourself a fan of the game?
Caballero: “No, I wouldn’t call myself a huge boxing fan. I mean, I watch all the big fights on SHOWTIME and follow the guys I’ve come up with, but that’s about it.”
QUESTION: You have fought some tough fighters in your first 13 pro fights. Do you think you’ve matched up well against each of them?
Caballero: “I’m happy with the opponents I’ve faced and beaten. Regardless of who they put in front of me, everyone is dangerous. You get caught with a left hook and it can end your career so I don’t take anyone lightly. Everybody who steps into that ring is going to get hit and I believe this guy I’m fighting on Friday (Araiza) is a big step up for me. He’s a veteran and he knows all the tricks inside the ring.”
QUESTION: Can you describe your personality?
Caballero: “I’m a real family guy. I like to hang with family, that’s about it. I’m pretty low-key. I like to go out with friends here and there but I’m kind of a reserved guy. I’m a quiet guy but very respectful and very friendly. I don’t like to talk too much smack. I would say I’m a fun guy to be around.”
Photo Credit: Tom Casino/SHOWTIME
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