LAST seen out in Japan, defeating Kenshiro Teraji to win two world titles at flyweight, California native Ricardo Sandoval is not ready to sit still.
Now 26, Sandoval has picked up four losses during his 34 fights, but has not tasted defeat since 2022. That was a majority decision loss to 11-0 David Jimenez in Los Angeles.
The setback did not deter ‘El Niño’, who embarked on a six-fight winning streak that resulted in the Japanese title shot and two-belt success.
“This is a dream come true, this is everything that I’ve been working hard for for many years. I had my first show here at the Fantasy in 2017 under [Jesus] Soto Karass and Mauricio Herrera.
“I just put in the work for so many years, and to finally become a champion is something that’s unbelievable,” buzzed Sandoval, displaying his silverware to the appreciative Fantasy Springs Casino crowd packed in for Oscar Collazo last night.
Admitting that he would be open to a fight with headliner Collazo, also a unified champion, down at minimumweight, that wish may come true as the Puerto Rican dispatched Jayson Vayson in somewhat odd circumstances.
Refusing to cut corners or become despondent with multiple losses, Sandoval has kept on pitching. Despite boxing away from home versus Teraji, Sandoval believed he would prevail when the scores were read out in Yokohama.
“Coming in, it was a perfect plan that my trainer had. We worked on it throughout the whole camp and it just worked perfectly.”
Holding two titles makes Ricardo the main man at 112 pounds. WBO champion Anthony Olascuaga and hard-punching Japanese boxer Masamichi Yabuki, the IBF king, would both dispute that. Sandoval is open to a straightener with either or both to achieve his next lofty goal.
“I want to become the first flyweight undisputed champion. That’s the main goal for me and I’m halfway there,” he said.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya added, “Ricardo Sandoval is a testament that dreams do come true. He fought here four or five times and now he’s a world champion, WBC and WBA, so congratulations for going to Japan and bringing home the titles.”
