Alberto Machado will move forward with his career in another weight class.

Machado will face Jose Angulo tonight in a 10-round junior welterweight bout at the Coliseo Pedrin Zorrilla in Machado’s hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico.

At Thursday’s weigh-in, Machado weighed in at 139.6 pounds. Angulo weighed 139.2 pounds. 

Machado (22-3, 18 knockouts) won the WBA ‘Regular’ world junior lightweight title by knocking out Jezzrel Corrales in the eighth round in a fight he was behind on all three judges’ scorecards. He would make two successful title defenses before losing by knockout at the hands of Andrew Cancio in February 2019. Machado would lose the rematch over four months later.

The 32-year-old returned to action in December 2019, knocking out Luis Porozo in the opening round, but was stopped by Mexico’s Angel Fierro in March 2021. 

Machado believes a move up to the junior welterweight division would be beneficial to him and he likes his chances in becoming one of the top contenders in the division.

“I’m motivated and happy and it’s noted in my smile,” said Machado at Wednesday’s press conference. “We’ve worked hard in this part of my career. I feel renewed and established myself in the junior welterweight division. I feel strong and can’t wait to give a great show to my fans.”

Angulo (14-3, 7 KOs), who resides in Guayaquil, Ecuador, last fought on July 28, losing by knockout in round 3 to unbeaten lightweight prospect Jousce Gonzalez. The 26-year-old has split his last four bouts. 

In junior lightweight action, Edwin Valentin (11-0, 10 KOs) of nearby Salinas will square off against Colombia’s Yeison Vargas (21-11, 15 KOs) in an eight-round bout. 

Super middleweight Yai Gallardo-Lozano (1-0, 1 KO) of Mexico will face former junior welterweight contender Breidis Prescott (31-20, 22 KOs) in a six-round bout. Prescott, who is originally from Colombia and now resides in Miami, Florida, has lost 13 of his last 15 bouts. 

The card will be promoted by Cotto Promotions. 

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing