Cristofer Rosales is eager for one more opportunity at a world title belt. Angel Ayala is confident he can fight amongst the elite fighters at 112 pounds.

One will fulfill that vision tonight as Rosales will square off against Ayala tonight at the Centro de Espectaculos del Recinto Ferial in Metepec, Mexico. At Friday weigh-in, both made weight for the 12-round WBC world title elimination bout that will air live throughout Mexico on TV Azteca.

Rosales weighed in at 112 pounds. Ayala weighed 111.3 pounds.

Experience and level of opposition will be on the side of Rosales. Having also fought in Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Italy, Rosales will adjust well to the partisan crowd Saturday that will be cheering Ayala on. The Ayala fight will be Rosales’ first time ever fighting in Mexico.

The 27-year-old Rosales (32-5, 21 knockouts), who resides in Managua, Nicaragua, has won his last three fights since losing by knockout to Julio Cesar Martinez in December 2020. The vacant WBC world title was on the line.

Back in April 2018, Rosales stopped Daigo Higa to win the vacant WBC flyweight title. He would make a successful defense before losing the world title to Charlie Edwards over eight months later. 

Ayala (13-0, 6 KOs), who resides in the state of Mexico, where Metepec is located, will be taking a significant step up in opposition. It will also mark Ayala’s first 12-round bout.

In his last bout on August 6, Ayala knocked out former world title challenger Juan Alejo in the second round. His other notable win occurred on January 22 of last year when he defeated Jeovani Gonzalez in a one-sided fight. Gonzalez entered the bout unbeaten.

In the co-feature of the Zanfer Promotions card, unbeaten junior featherweight Alan Picasso (20-0-1, 9 KOs) of nearby Mexico City will face Ciudad Obregon’s David Reyes (24-7-1, 12 KOs) in a 10-round bout.

Hard-hitting Luis Fernando Rodriguez (9-0, 9 KOs), who also resides in Mexico City, will square off against Brandon Romero (12-2-1, 6 KOs) of Monterrey in a 10-round junior featherweight bout. 

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