By Eric 'Sugar Foot' Duran

Rising prospect Izzak Cardona (13-2, 13 KO's) of Colorado Springs, CO has officially signed on the dotted line to face his toughest opponent to date, Marco Antonio Rubio. Rubio (59-7-1, 51 KO's) is the former WBC Latino Middleweight Champion and WBO Inter-continental Middleweight Champion. Rubio is currently ranked the #15 Middleweight in the world.

Cardona is building a large fan base in his home state of Colorado.  His devastating punching power has resulted in 13 knockouts, usually in vicious fashion.  His career is moving rather quickly as this will be his 16th bout in just over 2 years.

Rubio is your classic case of a "gate-keeper", fighting and losing only to world champions and blue chip contenders.  His resume includes a win over current IBF Middleweight Champion, David Lemieux. His losses include Gennady Golovkin, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Kelly Pavlik.

The bout will take place on July 11th at the El Paso Coliseum in El Paso, TX. Cardona and Rubio will fight for the WBPF World Championship.