No shame to losing to one of the best in the flyweight division.
Andres Campos will now make every effort to learn from his defeat and move back into the world title picture.
Campos will square off against Bienvenido Ligas Saturday night at the Burleigh Bazaar in Burleigh Heads, Australia. The 10-round bout will air live on Fox Sports Australia (10 p.m. Sydney/ AEST).
In his last bout on June 10, Campos challenged IBF world titleholder Sunny Edwards in London, England. Campos had not fought a legit contender, but gave Edwards all he could handle before Edwards won by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the bout 117-111 for Edwards.
The 26-year-old Campos (15-1, 4 knockouts), who resides in Santiago, Chile, has defeated modest opposition in recent months, including Jesus Silvestre of Mexico and Pedro Villegas of Ecuador.
Campos is managed by Tony Tolj and has sparred the likes of Jason and Andrew Moloney, both of whom are from Australia.
Ligas (15-3-2, 9 KOs), who resides in Caloocan City in the Philippines, should provide a decent test for Campos. In his last bout on March 30, Ligas defeated once-beaten Genesis Libranza by unanimous decision. The 25-year-old lost by decision to fringe contender Olimjon Nazarov in his previous fight on July 30 of last year.
Campos has decided to take up residence in Australia, where he would get better sparring and reside close to Tolj. His goal is to get back into world title contention and make use of any and all opportunities that come his way.
“I’m really excited to get back in the ring,” Campos told BoxingScene Wednesday. “I have come and set up camp in Australia because I want to be the best fighter I can (be). I have traveled the world and can say the most professional people are Dragon Fire Boxing (Management).
“I’m planning to relocate here for training because I won’t stop until I become world champion.”
In cruiserweight action, Mose Auimataji, Jr. (15-3-2, 10 KOs) will face Mike Letoi (2-1-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round bout. The 28-year-old Auimataji, who is originally from Auckland, New Zealand and now resides in Kingscliff, Australia, is also managed by Tolj.
Unbeaten cruiserweight prospect Matt Floyd (5-0, 3 KOs) of Perth will square off against Tangiariki Mauri (3-2, 2 KOs) of New Zealand in an eight-round bout.
Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covered boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing