Magdaleno Meets Santos in Irvine Fight

Light heavyweight Ernie Magdaleno returns to the Irvine Marriott tonight after a four-year absence to fight Roman Santos in the 10-round main-event.

Magdaleno (20-1-1), ranked fifth by the World Boxing Council, is trying to line up a title fight with champion Virgil Hill. But for now, he will fight Santos (10-4 with four knockouts) of Lancaster.

“We would have liked nothing better than to see Ernie fight for a title, but we’re glad Orange County fans have a chance to see a fighter with tremendous skills,” Marriott promoter Roy Englebrecht said. “It’s a club show. We’re not paying much. But it’s work and we’re happy to give it to him.”

Light heavyweight Jerry Moran (4-0 with three knockouts) of Azusa, who recently signed a four-bout promotional contract with Englebrecht, will fight Raso Radusinovic (5-0 with two knockouts) of Croatia in the five-round semi-main event.

Also on the undercard is a women’s bout between San Francisco’s Gina Guidi and San Diego’s Del Pettis. Dean Lohaus of the state athletic commission said there hasn’t been a sanctioned female boxing match in Southern California in more than 10 years.

The undercard begins at 7:30 p.m., and tickets are priced at $25, $30 and $35.