Nicknamed “El Nino de Oro” or “Golden Boy”, two division world champion Jorge Linares is perhaps the most underrated world champion in boxing. That will change starting today, as the unbeaten Venezuelan phenom has inked a promotional contract with Golden Boy Promotions, who will co-promote Linares with Japanese based Teiken Promotions, the first step to making the 24-year-old a household name in the United States.
“Anyone who has seen Jorge Linares fight knows that he is one of the best fighters in the world, pound-for-pound,” said Oscar de la Hoya, President of Golden Boy Promotions. “Unfortunately, too many people here in the Untied States haven’t seen him fight, but we’re going to change that and Jorge will finally get the attention and the big fights he deserves.”
“I’ve enjoyed fighting for the fans, in Japan, Mexico and Panama, but I’m ready to fight all the top names in the sport and since they’re fighting in the United States, I need to fight here too,” said Linares. “Golden Boy Promotions has promised to help get me the big fights and I can’t wait to perform here and start adding some more titles to my collection.”
A veteran of nearly seven years in the fight game, Barinas, Venezuela native Jorge Linares (27-0, 18 KO’s) made his name in boxing while fighting almost exclusively in Japan. After a short while, talk of the dynamic boxer-puncher started spreading globally, especially when he stopped Oscar Larios in ten rounds on July 21, 2007 to win the vacant WBC featherweight world crown in Las Vegas, his first and only U.S. appearance. After defending his belt once against Gamaliel Diaz, Linares moved up to the junior lightweight division in November of 2008, winning the vacant WBA world title by halting Whyber Garcia in five rounds. In his most recent bout, on June 27, Linares defended his crown with an eighth round TKO of Josafat Perez.
A date and opponent for Linares’ Golden Boy Promotions debut will be announced shortly.
Photo by Chris Cozzone