Karlos Balderas: The lightweight blue-chip prospect not getting enough notoriety

The most notable lightweight prospects that immediately come to mind for most boxing fans are Teofimo Lopez, Devin Haney, and Ryan Garcia.

Karlos Balderas (6-0, 5KOs) is a top prospect at lightweight who deserves more attention, as he is going to rise up the ranks much sooner than people realize. He boasts an impressive amateur pedigree and was a U.S. Olympian at the 2016 Games in Rio, where he reached the quarterfinals.

He was 184-9 as an amateur and a three-time Adidas National Tournament Champion.

With his combination of speed, accuracy, and technique, he has a prosperous future ahead of him as a pro. He has the necessary tools and ring IQ that will allow him to cope with adversity once he faces stiffer competition. He will not be another hotshot prospect that looks great against poor opposition, but fades away quickly later in their career.

Interestingly, while he campaigned in the same division as Teofimo Lopez as an amateur, Balderas made the U.S. Olympic roster but Lopez didn’t. Lopez ended up taking an alternative route and was able to represent Honduras in the Olympics. The judging in amateur boxing has often been criticized, but regardless, it is impressive that he competed against a hot prospect like Lopez and made the U.S. roster.

Balderas and Lopez may eventually fight later down the road in an intriguing match-up. Right now, Lopez is receiving more attention than any young fighter campaigning at lightweight after brutally knocking out veterans Mason Menard and Diego Magdaleno. Once Balderas has more fights under his belt, his name will be mentioned more often amongst the other well-known prospects within the division.

On February 16th at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, California, Karlos Balderas takes on Mexican Jose Cen Torres (13-10, 1KO) in a swing bout on the Leo Santa Cruz vs. Rafael Rivera undercard. Torres has fought two highly-rated prospects in Emilio Sanchez and Mario Barrios. He went the distance with Sanchez and was knocked out in his bout against Barrios. Torres has lost his last 6 fights and is yet to win in the United States.

Expect Balderas to win by late stoppage or earn a clear decision victory. He should be active this year; he will pad his record just a little bit more before facing top competition. Balderas is an exceptional fighter who deserves just as much fanfare as the more popular prospects at 135. Yet, popularity will only take a fighter so far. You have to be able to prove your merit in the ring, and Balderas has certainly done that so far in his young career.