For professional boxers, their careers tend to be a series of tests. How they overcome those challenges determines how successful they will be. This Thursday night, unbeaten light welterweight Antonio Orozco (7-0, 5KOs) faces his first true trial in his young career when he faces the much more experienced Humberto Tapia (15-14-1, 8KOs) of Tijuana, MX. The six round bout will be the semi-main event for the Nokia Live fight card presented by Golden Boy Promotions and it will also mark the first time Orozco fights under the Espinoza Boxing Club banner.
“Camp has been great and this week we winded it down working on timing and 
reflexes,” Orozco of San Diego, CA, by way of Tecate, MX, stated after a workout. “We are ready and staying focused.”
Despite Tapia’s 20+ professional fight advantage over Orozco, the 22-year-old father of one is not worried since if need be, he would pull from his over 120-fight amateur experience.
“I think if experience comes into play in the fight, I will be ready,” the affable Orozco said confidently. “I know I can take this guy but I am not overconfident. In the worst case scenario, I think my amateur experience can help. We trained for for different tactics, if he wants to push and come forward, we trained for that. If he wants to box or counterpunch, we are ready.”
For Frank Espinoza, who helms the Espinoza Boxing Club and the careers of Ronny Rios, Carlos Molina and Orozco among others, feels that Tapia is the perfect foil for the amateur standout to shine.
“I believe that Orozco has the perfect skill set to defeat Tapia,” the well respected manager said. “I am not saying it is going to be easy since Tapia is a tough fighter who gave Molina good fight a great fight some months back but I am confident that Antonio has what it not only to win but to win impressively.”
The fact that his next bout marks a series of firsts does not come into play for Orozco since he knows that at the end of the night, it is his hand that needs to be raised to make it all worth while.
“I’m not to worried about the pressure. First I have to take care of myself and what I do inside the ring and then everybody else,” Orozco said in closing. “I know I have a fan friendly style but the important thing is to get the win.”