By Francisco Salazar

After being the victim of one of the most heinous acts in boxing history, Jose Uzcategui can enjoy being a world titleholder.

With lucrative fights at 168 pounds, including a showdown with WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez, Uzcategui cannot wait for what 2019 holds.

In the meantime, he will face Ezequiel Maderna tonight in a 10-round non-title bout at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California. At Thursday's weigh-in, Uzcategui weighed in at 172.6 pounds. Maderna weighed in at 172 pounds.

In the co-feature, Jerwin Ancajas (114.2 pounds) will defend his IBF junior bantamweight title against Alejandro Santiago (114.6 pounds) of Mexico.

Both fights will be streamed on ESPN+ (10:30 p.m. ET/ 7:30 p.m. PT).

Uzcategui (27-2, 23 knockouts) won the IBF title in his last bout on Mar. 3, stopping Andre Dirrell after the eighth round in Brooklyn, New York. The fight was a rematch of their May 2017 clash, when Uzcategui was disqualified for hitting Dirrell after the bell sounded to end round eight.

There was a commotion after the end of the fight, highlighted by Leon Lawson's despicable act of hitting Uzcategui in the jaw. Lawson, who's suspension was recently lifted by the Maryland Athletic Commission, is Dirrell's uncle and was working the corner that night.

The 27-year-old Uzcategui, who is originally from Venezuela and now resides in Tijuana, Mexico, is not overlooking Maderna.

"Since the beginning of my career, I have never underestimated anybody," said Uzcategui, who is promoted by Zanfer Promotions. "I know that this is a great opportunity for Maderna. I know that he's very hungry. He knows the opportunity that he has in front of him. I am going to try and put on a great performance for everybody."

Maderna (26-4, 16 KOs) resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and has won three of his last four bouts. His most notable bout was a fourth round technical knockout loss to current IBF light heavyweight titleholder Artur Beterbiev in June of 2016.

Uzcategui does have a mandatory to fulfill in 2019 with unbeaten Caleb Plant. There are other lucrative unification fights with WBC titleholder David Benavidez and WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez.

Zanfer Promotions does work closely with Top Rank, which promotes Ramirez, and that would be an enticing fight in the United States or Mexico that will likely air on an ESPN platform.

Uzcategui does not have a preference as to who he would want to face in 2019. He believes he is the man to beat at 168 pounds.

"I know that I'm in a tough division, but I believe I am the best in the division. I don't see anybody coming and beating me."

Tonight's Top Rank card will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET/ 4:30 p.m. PT and will be streamed live on ESPN+.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing