Magdaleno brothers to fight on same card

Jesse Magdaleno has always wanted to follow in older brother Diego's footsteps.

Magdaleno will soon get that chance, joining his brother in the professional boxing ranks.

Magdaleno, 18, the 2009 national Golden Gloves champion at 119 pounds, recently signed a promotional deal with Top Rank and will make his pro debut Nov. 6 on the undercard of the Juan Manuel Lopez-Rafael Marquez WBO featherweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden.

"It was time," Magdaleno said. "I was an amateur a long time. I felt it was time to step up the competition."

His first pro fight will be a four-round featherweight bout against an opponent to be determined.

Diego Magdaleno, a super featherweight, is also scheduled to fight on the card. He puts his 16-0 record on the line against Derrick Campos in an eight-round bout.

"To make my debut on such a big card and also fight the same night as my brother is amazing," Jesse Magdaleno said. "I've always looked up to him, and he's a great role model for me."

Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said: "Everyone at Top Rank is excited about Jesse. He's only 18, but our matchmaker, Bruce Trampler, really raves about him. Jesse is a very skilled young fighter."

Magdaleno will be managed and trained by Pat Barry, who has overseen his amateur career, in which Magdaleno went 120-16 and won six major national titles.

He has been training at Barry's Boxing and is fully recovered after tearing ligaments in his left ankle in February.

He said he plans to fight at 126 pounds.

"It's a starting point," said Magdaleno, who weighs 130 pounds. "I can go down to 122 if I have to. But I'm comfortable (at 126)."

■ PARTNERSHIP APPROVED -- The Nevada Athletic Commission agreed to partner over the next three years with the Cleveland Clinic and the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, which will provide fighters with free physicals in exchange for data that will be used to research head injuries.

The program is voluntary and available to all fighters competing in Nevada.

A normal comprehensive physical examination for a first-time fighter in Nevada can cost about $1,000, with follow-up exams running from $400 to $600. Under this agreement, fighters and promoters would save thousands of dollars.

"The people who would benefit the most are the people who need to benefit the most," NAC executive director Keith Kizer said.

■ SILVERTON CARD -- Four heavyweight bouts highlight the Roy Engelbrecht Promotions card Saturday at the Silverton.

In the main event, Las Vegan Rennell Griffin faces Artur Bernetsyan in a six-round bout.

The other three heavyweight contests are Andy Ruiz vs. Theron Johnson, Lionel Davis vs. Kelsey Arnold and Beau Tribolet vs. Natu Visnia. All three bouts are scheduled for four rounds.

Also on the card, Las Vegas lightweight Daniel Reece will face Alejandro Artiaga in a four-round bout, and Crystal Hoy will meet Allison Cole in a four-round women's featherweight bout.

Tickets for the card at the 950-seat Vail Pavilion are $35 and $55. First bell is at 7 p.m.

■ WE'RE ALL NEVADANS -- It's an occurrence that might be as rare as Harry Reid and Sharron Angle agreeing on anything, but UNLV and UNR will be on the same side for a sporting event.

The schools' boxing clubs will join forces to face a team from the three service academies -- Army, Navy and Air Force -- for a competition Oct. 23 at the Hard Rock Hotel.

UNLV coach Frank Slaughter, who came up with the idea, said it's nice to see the Rebels and Wolf Pack compete together.

"There's always been a rivalry between the two schools, and sometimes it gets bitter," Slaughter said. "But if we can work together and raise money for charity, it would be a good thing."

Tickets, priced at $5 for students and $10 for general admission, will be available at the door. Eight bouts are scheduled, with first bell at 6 p.m.

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