Angel Cordon Jr, one of Northern California’s top boxing prospects, is looking to carry on his outstanding amateur pedigree into the pro ranks.
Having just graduated from Alhambra High School in Martinez last year, the 18-year-old fighter is now committed to boxing full-time. Cordon (1-0, 1 KO) had a successful pro debut last May, earning a first-round knockout victory against Kevin Garcia in Reno, Nevada. He’s been out of the ring longer than he had hoped, but Cordon finally has a return fight: A four-round featherweight (126 pounds) bout against Johnny Estrada at the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore on Thursday, Jan. 11.
While it’s early in his pro career, Cordon has been flourishing in the sport for a long time. In nearly 11 years in the amateurs, Cordon was a six-time national champion, ranked as high as No. 1 in the United States and No. 6 in the world.
“I’ve done it all in amateur boxing,” Cordon said. “I got tired of the amateurs and decided it was time to turn professional and get this thing rolling.”
Cordon trains under the tutelage of his father, Angel Cordon Sr., out of Fightkore in Martinez, which is also the home gym to San Jose boxer and WBC Continental Americas super featherweight champion Andy Vences.
The card at Tachi Palace promoted by Top Rank Boxing also features central valley boxers with Tulare’s Danny Valdivia in the main event and middleweight Quilisto “Kilo the Kid” Madera, super middleweight Joe Louie Lopez, lightweight Bryan Lua, super featherweight Victor Morales, and featherweight Isidro Ochoa all in action.
