The Main Event: Jokin García Meets Salvi Jiménez for European Lightweights
The headline bout at La Casilla features a clash between two of Spain’s top contenders in the lightweight division. Jokin García, fighting out of the Indautxu neighborhood in Bilbao, enters the ring with a professional record of 14 victories, two defeats, and one draw, as noted by Radio Nervión. García earned his spot after capturing the EBU Silver belt at La Casilla against Italy’s Gianluca Ceglia. On the other side, Valladolid’s Salvi Jiménez brings a 15-2 record, having previously held the EBU Silver belt and the Spanish super featherweight championship, according to Radio Nervión and AEBOX.
Training Camps and Preparations
Both competitors report intensive training cycles ahead of the continental showdown. Radio Nervión reported that García completed a demanding training camp in Kazakhstan to prepare for the physical demands of the championship fight. “We arrive very strong. I have done everything in my power to get the belt and on the 26th it will be seen,” García said, as quoted by Radio Nervión. Meanwhile, Jiménez prepared in England alongside international sparring partners, expressing absolute confidence in his prospects: “On Saturday I am going to beat Jokin and I am going to be European lightweight champion. Let no one have any doubt,” Jiménez stated, according to Radio Nervión.
A Deep Undercard at La Casilla
Promoted by Kamikaze Promotions, PCI Promotions, and Boxing Management with support from the Provincial Council of Bizkaia and Kirolur, the event features a packed supporting card, as detailed by Radio Nervión and AEBOX. Notable bouts include Jon Míguez returning to the ring, Andrés Ábrego facing Valencia’s Efrén Besalduch, and the professional debut of Irun-born prospect Rainel Ortega, known as “The KO Machine”. The lineup also features a women’s bout between Britain’s Shona Larkman and Nigeria’s Blessing Abisoye, alongside Artur Nadoyan, Jon Ander “El Titán de Rentería”, and three Basque neo-professional championships featuring Peio Gutiérrez versus Aritza Brazo, Carlos Barbosa against Elkin Molero, and Jon Arce up against Guilen Ibarzabal.
Historical Stakes for Basque Boxing
The title opportunity comes after a shoulder injury sidelined Jon Fernández, who had been scheduled to defend his European super lightweight title, shifting the spotlight onto García, according to Radio Nervión. If García secures a victory on Saturday night, Bilbao will host two active European boxing champions simultaneously for the first time in much time, according to Radio Nervión.
Worth a look
