Latino Welterweight Title: Mamani vs. Matos in Bolivia

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October 7, 2010 / BY UBO PRESS OFFICER   

FIGHT POSTPONED TO 10.29.2010! 21-year-old undefeated hot prospect Franklin “El Matador” Mamani (6-0-1, 5 KOs) from Bolivia will fight Brazilian former WBC, IBF and IBC title-challenger Idiozan Matos (13-10, 7 KOs) for the vacant UBO Latino Welterweight title on October 15 at the Coliseo Julio Borelli Viteritto in La Paz, Bolivia. 

Mamani turned professional in March of last year, and already in his fourth fight he scored an impressive knockout victory over experienced Argentinean Raul Armando Lopez. In his fifth pro outing he won a ten-round decision over former WBA Fedebol champion Raul Enciso from Peru, a triumph that eventually led to a shot at former WBA World champion Raul Horacio Balbi and the WBA Fedebol Welterweight title. 

Mamani fought Balbi this past May, but unfortunately an injury caused the fight to be declared a technical draw in the third round, so far the only blemish on the young Bolivians record. Against Matos he will get a new opportunity to capture a title, and in front of his enthusiastic hometown fans.

While still only 27 years of age, Idiozan Matos is a very experienced boxer. Early on he won a couple of Brazilian regional titles, and lost a WBC Youth world title challenge to French-Algerian Ali Chebah in 2007. Later that same year he got another championship opportunity, but once again, this time fighting way above his natural weight, came up short against Gaetano Nespro for the IBF Mediterranean middleweight title in Italy.

Winning three out of his next four bouts got Matos a shot at the IBC World Welterweight title in Switzerland against Roberto Belge in 2008. The tough European won in three rounds, and Matos again moved up in weight to fight David Zegara in Peru for the WBA Fedebol Middleweight crown and lost in the fourth round.

Mamani vs. Matos promises to be an interesting affair between the young up-and-comer and the experienced campaigner. Mamani has one title fight on his resume, while Matos has already been involved in seven championship fights. Both combatants will be hungry to win the UBO Latino title on October 15.