Local fighter still climbing toward top

Driving through Malibu along the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California, there's a sand dune that is about 100 yards long and appears to run nearly perpendicular to the ground. Those who have attempted to run the hill and reach its summit say it is one of the most physically demanding things they've done.

A year ago, Diego Magdaleno was driving with his friend Victor Ortiz, who at the time was the WBC welterweight champion. Ortiz bragged about how he had conquered the dune many times. Magdaleno ordered Ortiz to stop the car. He then borrowed running shorts from Ortiz and proceeded to take on the hill.

"Victor said I'd make it halfway up - if I was lucky," the 25-year-old Las Vegan recalled. "But I think he underestimated me. I love challenges."

Magdaleno struggled at times but eventually made it to the top. It's documented in video shot on his brother Jesse's iPhone. It also serves as the ideal metaphor as Magdaleno attempts to get to the top of the boxing mountain.

Magdaleno, the undefeated NABF super featherweight champion and the No. 2-rated contender by the WBC and WBA, will try to take another step toward the top when he faces Antonio Davis tonight in the 10-round main event of Top Rank's fight card at Texas Station.

"Every fighter starts at the bottom," Magdaleno said. "I feel like I'm three-quarters of the way there. I'm so close to the top, I can see it. I can smell it. I can reach it. I just need to stay with my game plan and not slip."

A win would likely put Magdaleno (22-0, eight knockouts) in position to get a world title shot, perhaps against the winner of the Sept. 15 WBO title fight between Rocky Martinez and Miguel Beltran.

"In terms of skill and ability, he's ready to fight for a world title," Top Rank matchmaker Bruce Trampler said. "He's gotten better physically. He's stronger. He's creating openings rather than looking for them. He's right where he needs to be."

Magdaleno said he knows what's at stake against Davis, a 36-year-old from Atlanta who is 29-7 with 13 KOs.

"I just need to impose myself on him early and control the action," Magdaleno said. "I know if I win it's a chance to get a world title fight. I know there's pressure, but I think I work well with pressure. I'm going to use it to my advantage."

The card also features light heavyweights Mike Lee (9-0, five KOs) and Tyler Seever (13-11-1, 11 KOs) in a six-round bout, and super lightweights Jose Benavidez (15-0, 12 KOs) and Zaid Zavaleta (19-8-3, 11 KOs) in a six-round fight.

The first bell is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. The Telefutura portion of the card begins at 9.

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