Jesse Magdaleno back in ring on card headlined by brother

The Las Vegas featherweight returns to the ring for his second professional fight Saturday, a four-round bout against Cain Garcia at Texas Station.

Magdaleno has been dormant since Nov. 6, when he made a sensational pro debut with a first-round knockout of Matt Salazar at the MGM Grand Garden. He was supposed to fight Dec. 4 on a Top Rank card in Anaheim, Calif., but one opponent was injured and his replacement wasn’t approved for competition.

“It’s been very frustrating. The preparation. The camp. Losing weight. It all goes to waste,” Magdaleno said. “But what’s done is done. I’m back in the gym. I’m staying focused, and I’m ready to resume my career.”

Magdaleno, 19, will be fighting on a Top Rank card that features his brother Diego, 24, in a 10-round main event against Marcos Jimenez for the vacant NABF super featherweight title.

Jesse hopes Saturday marks the start of a regular schedule in the ring.

“I want to stay busy,” he said. “I need to get that experience that only comes when you’re in the ring. If I could fight every month or every other month, that would be great.”

Augie Sanchez, who along with Pat Barry trains the Magdaleno brothers, said he doesn’t think the extended time between fights will hurt Jesse.

“I’m not worried about any rust,” Sanchez said. “He’s a young kid. He’s staying active. We’re keeping him busy in the gym, and I can tell he’s transitioning well to the pro game.”

Magdaleno said he has been working on his jab and his defense to get ready for Garcia (0-1).

“I’ll be much better prepared for this fight,” Magdaleno said. “I’m not going in looking for a knockout like I did in my first fight. I want to get into a rhythm, get a couple of rounds in, work on my skills and box. If the knockout comes, it comes.”

Either way, he’ll be finished in plenty of time to cheer his brother, who headlines a card for the first time and risks his spotless record (18-0, seven knockouts) against Jimenez (18-2, 12 KOs).

“I’m so excited to be on the same card the night my brother fights for the title,” Magdaleno said. “We’re going to have a lot of family and friends there supporting us, and it’s going to be a huge night.”

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.