Cardona’s Title Pursuit Continues in Main Event

Puerto Rican welterweight Santos Cardona will try to move a step closer to a fifth world title bout when he fights battle-tested Juan Soberanes of Culiacan, Mexico, in tonight’s 10-round main event at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim.

Cardona (35-7, 24 knockouts) lost his first four title shots, three by decision. He lost on points to Pernell Whitaker for the World Boxing Council title in 1994, twice on split decisions to Verno Phillips for the World Boxing Organization title and most recently in 1996 to Bronco McKart in a ninth-round knockout for the World Boxing Organization title.

Cardona, 32, has won five consecutive fights and is hoping to secure a fight with Russian Akhmed Katiev, the WBO champion. First, he will have to get past Soberanes (44-18-2, 32 knockouts), nicknamed “Bull Terrier.” Soberanes, 30, has fought against the best of his division, including Julio Cesar Chavez and Miguel Angel Gonzalez, but his best days are probably behind him.

Two other 10-round bouts will serve as co-main events. Junior featherweight Israel Vazquez of Mexico City (16-1, 14 knockouts) will face Oscar Garcia (12-2-1, 12 knockouts) of Tijuana, Mexico, and lightweight Acelino Freitas (13-0, 13 knockouts) of Brazil takes on Rafael Olvera (13-4, eight knockouts) of El Paso.

The undercard begins at 7:15 p.m. The Cardona-Soberanes fight will start at 9.