The state of Michoacan in Mexico is known for producing avocados. 

Arturo Cardenas hopes to be the next and best export from Michoacan.

Cardenas will face Carlos Mujica tonight at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona. The eight-round bout will be the final fight to be streamed on the Matchroom Boxing YouTube page (5:15 p.m. ET/ 2:15 p.m. PT).

At Friday’s weigh-in, Cardenas weighed in at 123.4 pounds. Mujica came in at 122 pounds.

The 23-year-old Cardenas (11-0-1, 7 knockouts), who grew up in Sahuayo de Morelos, Mexico, last fought on August 25, defeating Sebastian Tinoco Chavez by unanimous decision. The victory over Tinoco took place four weeks after Cardenas knocked out former prospect Jose Edgardo Garcia in the fourth round.

Cardenas has been very active this year. Tonight will mark the sixth fight of 2023 for Cardenas.

Since his pro debut in October 2021, Cardenas has worked with trainer Robert Garcia in Riverside, California. 

Sahuayo is located in Michoacan. Garcia has ties to the state as his father Eduardo is from the same area. 

Garcia has been impressed by Cardenas, also known as Arturo Popoca, especially for his improved skill-set and ability to more than hold his own against some of the best fighters at Garcia’s gym.

“Arturo is a very dedicated kid,” Garcia told BoxingScene Friday. “(He is) very hungry to become a world champion and represent Michoacan, Mexico as a world champion. He stays in Riverside, year-round. He goes to Mexico twice a year to visit his parents and is a very dedicated boxer. 

“Next year, he will start competing in 10-round fights and will get closer to the top-10 rankings.”

Mujica (8-3, 2 KOs), who is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, lost a 10-round unanimous decision to once-beaten Ja’Rico O’Quinn in his last bout on July 15.

The 28-year-old had won his previous two fights, including a stoppage win over once-beaten prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez after losing his previous two. 

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