Bey eager to return with new backing

It was easy to see Mickey Bey Jr. was starting fresh.

The 29-year-old's mere presence at the Mayweather Boxing Club gave him away. The former Top Rank fighter has been away from the ring for almost 14 months, partially of his own doing.

On Saturday, the super featherweight from Cleveland who lives and trains in Las Vegas returns to action against Robert Rodriguez in an eight-round bout at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on the undercard of the Frankie Gomez-Lanard Lane main event.

"I've stayed sharp," said Bey (18-0-1, nine knockouts). "I've been in the gym the entire time. I'm ready to go."

Bey was supposed to fight Rob Frankel on Aug. 3 at Texas Station. The bout was scheduled to be the first fight on the ESPN-televised portion of the Top Rank card. But when the network wanted Jesse Magdaleno instead, Bey's fight was moved to the second bout.

His trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., hadn't arrived. Nor had his cutman. Bey felt disrespected, so he left.

"It was almost impossible for me to fight that night after they switched my fight," Bey said. "I caught a lot of heat for what I did. But what choice did I really have?"

Bey never got back in the ring with Top Rank. He signed with Mayweather Promotions in November.

"I should have been with them all along," Bey said. "It's like family here. Guys are pulling for you; you're not just a piece of meat. They care about me and my family."

Bey last fought Nov. 19, 2011, winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Hector Velazquez in Houston. He said he doesn't know if he'll be rusty until the fight starts against the 22-year-old Rodriguez (7-2, three KOs).

"I might need a round or two to get my rhythm, but other than that, I'm not worried," Bey said. "I perform better when the lights are on."

■ MAGDALENO TITLE SHOT? - Unless the WBO orders a rematch of his Jan. 19 bout, Rocky Martinez's next fight is expected to come March 30 against Las Vegas' Diego Magdaleno.

The 29-year-old Martinez (26-1-2, 16 KOs) retained his WBO super featherweight belt after his fight against Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-1, 20 KOs) on Jan. 19 in New York ended in a controversial 12-round technical draw.

The 26-year-old Magdaleno (23-0, nine KOs) has been cleared for contact in training after injuring his left wrist and hand in November. Now, he might get his shot at a major title.

"I've had my hopes up so many times," said Magdaleno, the NABF super featherweight champion. "I just want it to be a guarantee."

Burgos' team filed a request with the WBO for an immediate rematch. WBO vice president John Duggan said Saturday the organization still was reviewing the matter and hadn't made a decision.

Magdaleno said he watched the fight and thought the 25-year-old Burgos won. More important to him, he came away believing he could beat either fighter. "Just get me in the ring with whoever has the belt," he said. "I'm ready to rock and roll."

■ LULE GROUNDED - The Nevada Athletic Commission suspended super bantamweight Jesus Lule for nine months and fined him $500 on Tuesday after he tested positive for the diuretic Furosemide.

Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr. (10-0, 10 KOs) knocked out Lule (6-5, one KO) in the second round on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden, and Lule's postfight urinalysis was positive. The 29-year-old Lule said he thought he was taking vitamins.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913. Follow him on Twitter: @stevecarprj.