Fringe super middleweight contender Yamaguchi Falcao could be one or two victories away from competing against the upper-echelon of the division.

Falcao returns to action tonight against Damian Bonelli in a stay-busy fight at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida. The fight will precede the main event bout between unbeaten featherweights Andranik Grigorian (14-0, 3 knockouts) of Armenia and Uzbekistan’s Otabek Kholmatov (9-0, 9 KOs).

Both fights will air live on Bally Sports and Display TV (8 p.m. ET/ 5 p.m. PT).

At Friday’s weigh-in, Falcao weighed 166.8 pounds. Bonelli weighed in at the super middleweight limit of 168 pounds.

Falcao (20-1-1, 9 KOs), who resides in Serra, Brazil, knocked out Fernando Farias in the second round of his last bout on February 19. Falcao has won his last four bouts since a majority-decision loss to D’Mitrius Ballard in December 2019.

The 34-year-old suffered the only loss of his pro career in May 2019, losing by majority decision to Christopher Pearson. The 2012 Olympic Bronze medalist is the older brother of middleweight contender Esquiva Falcao, who is promoted by Top Rank.

“I’m confident Yamaguchi will impress Saturday night,” said Jody Caliguire of Fist Fight Boxing Promotions and Falcao’s promoter. “Yama’s coming off a great training camp and (head trainer) Jim McLaughlin’s done an excellent job helping him craft a more-aggressive (style).”

Bonelli (24-10, 20 KOs), who resides in Buenos Aires, Argentina, lost to once-beaten Edgard Mockvichev by unanimous decision on September 11. The 43-year-old has lost nine of his last 10 bouts.

Heavyweight Norman Neely (11-0, 8 KOs) of Paterson, New Jersey will face Puerto Rico’s Hector Perez (7-3, 3 KOs) in an eight-round bout.

Hard-hitting Anthony Velaquez (10-0, 9 KOs) of Springfield, Massachusetts will square off against Buenos Aires’ Sergio Castellano (11-8, 7 KOs) in an eight-round junior middleweight bout. 

Boxlab Promotions and Undisputed Boxing Championship is co-promoting the card.

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