Daniel Barrera is in good hands.

The amateur standout is adapting to the pro game and is eager to progress under the tutelage of a top Southern California trainer.

Barrera will face Isaac Anguiano tonight at the Quiet Cannon in Montebello, California. The six-round junior bantamweight bout will stream live on UFC Fight Pass (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).

At Wednesday’s weigh-in, Barrera weighed in at 114.8 pounds. Anguiano weighed 113 pounds.

Barrera (1-0, 1 knockout), who resides in nearby Riverside, made his pro debut on July 28, knocking out Jesus Godinez in the third round. Having sparred pro fighters in the past as an amateur, including Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez, Barrera’s pro debut came off as a piece of cake.

“In the beginning, I was more nervous at the weigh-in,” Barrera told Boxingscene Tuesday afternoon. “Maybe I was a tiny bit nervous as I walked to the ring, but once I stepped inside the ring, I was fine.

“I expected to dominate my opponent. He was tough. I followed my game plan. The fight went well. I dominated and got the win.”

The 21-year-old will face a tougher opponent on paper in Anguiano (3-1, 1 KO), who also resides in nearby Pomona. Anguiano won his first three fights, but lost by unanimous decision to Abraham Perez in his last bout on August 13 in a clash of unbeaten fighters.

Barrera understands a more-competitive opponent will require him to improve on mistakes from previous fights and needing to make a statement in the process.

“I believe you need to improve and better your conditioning,” said Barrera. “You have to correct and pick-up on mistakes you make. As long as I establish a strong jab, everything else will follow. (Thursday’s) fight will be easy as long as I listen to my corner.

“I definitely would want to make a statement (at the expense of Anguiano) Thursday. Having (promoter) Tom Loeffler want me to be a part of his card makes me want to make a big statement. I would like to have him or other big promoters take a look at what I can do in the ring.”

Barrera is trained by Al Franco, a longtime trainer based in the Southern California area. Franco also trained son Daniel, who suffered a brain injury in his bout against Jose Haro in June 2017. Daniel Franco has since recovered and is seen at the gym assisting his father.

After several years with the Franco family, Barrera feels blessed for the time invested to develop him as a fighter.

“I’ve gained so much insight from Coach Al. The amount of information he’s given me is valuable. It’s a great feeling knowing the amount of knowledge you gain from him. Coach Al picks up things like a sponge. What he knows makes him better as a trainer. What he teaches me makes me better as a fighter.

“The amount of advice I receive from Daniel is great. I get advice almost every time I see him. He’s seen a lot, in and out of the ring.

“I do want to make a statement against Anguiano. It’s my time to shine.”

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene.com since October 2013 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 at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing