By Jake Donovan

You have to give Tony Luis credit. The combat-ready lightweight from Canada continues to seek the toughest challenges, even at the risk of adding another loss or two to his record. 

It was that fighting mentality that led to the 27-year old drawing the short straw in the hunt for an opponent to face unbeaten Karl Dargan. The two collide Friday evening at Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Conn., airing live on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights. 

“It is never easy to get an opponent for Karl Dargan but Tony Luis jumped on this opportunity, which is always a sign of someone ready to win,” notes Jolene Mizzone, Vice President of Operations for Main Events. 

Mizzone is the point person for securing opponents for Dargan (17-0, 9KOs), which has proven a daunting task from the moment he joined the company in 2013. Consistent network exposure has come of the relationship, but the level of competition has been more of the ‘take what we can get’ variety. 

In securing its first ESPN2 date since May ’11, Main Events felt it was important to come in with a bang – for the sake of the viewing audience as well as its fighter’s development.  

“Dargan has pressured his opponents in his last two fights, so I see him only getting better,” Mizzone believes. “[T]he better opposition he faces, the better he fights. This is going to be a very interesting fight.”

Luis (18-2, 7KOs) is well aware of what he’s up against, and is ready for the task at hand.

“I think Dargan is a very good fighter. I think he's got very good skills, fast hands, and he's a good counterpuncher. If you make too many mistakes, he can make you pay,” notes Luis, who faces his third straight unbeaten opponent. 

Friday night marks just the second time Luis appears on ESPN2. His previous fight on the network resulted in his first career loss, suffering a shocking 8th round knockout loss to Joksan Hernandez two years ago – almost to the day. 

He’s since won three of his last four, with each of his past two bouts coming against unbeaten opposition on Showtime’s ShoBox series. A tough points loss to Ivan Redkach last January was followed by a sound win over previously unbeaten Wanzell Ellison last July. In both fights, Luis had his opponents well-scouted, offering a solid account of himself, something fans can expect when he steps to Dargan on Friday.

“One thing I've always been good at doing is assessing my opponent’s strengths and weaknesses,” Luis insists. “My team is always able to put together a good game plan to neutralize the fighter's strengths while employing our own strengths.”

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as a member of Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and the Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox