Matured Magdaleno set to defend title

All of a sudden, Diego Magdaleno has become a knockout artist.

The 24-year-old Las Vegas super featherweight had been content to just win decisions during the first years of his professional career. But recently, Magdaleno has been dropping his opponents -- he has knocked out four straight entering tonight's 10-round NABF title defense at Texas Station against Alejandro Perez.

"I think what's happened is I'm maturing physically and I've added a strength and conditioning to my routine," said Magdaleno (19-0, seven KOs). "I was looking at photos of myself from two years ago, and I can see the difference."

In December, Magdaleno met Mike Afanasiev, a Las Vegas firefighter and a friend of Augie Sanchez, who along with Pat Barry trains Magdaleno. Afanasiev put Magdaleno on a strength program to build up his legs and his upper body, and the results were evident when Magdaleno won the NABF belt Jan. 22, stopping Marcos Jimenez in the sixth round.

"It wasn't so much something I needed as it was something we added," Magdaleno said.

Afanasiev, who has worked with other athletes, including kickboxer Dewey Cooper, said he's trying to give Magdaleno the best chance of maximizing his physical skills.

"In boxing, you need speed strength, maximum strength and maximum endurance," he said. "With Diego, we've been able to develop all three things, and he's able to carry that strength over longer periods."

Magdaleno said he trusted Sanchez, who has been working with him since he was an amateur boxer, to bring an outsider into the camp. Afanasiev also works with Magdaleno's 19-year-old brother, Jesse, a super bantamweight who is fighting on tonight's card.

"Mike's like part of the family," Diego Magdaleno said. "He's been very good for me, and I trust him."

The elder Magdaleno wants to look good tonight for several reasons. First, he wants to retain his NABF belt, which will allow him to move up in the world rankings (he's ranked No. 4 by the WBA and No. 10 by the WBC). He's also fighting on national television, as he headlines Showtime's 10th anniversary edition of "ShoBox: The New Generation" series.

Finally, he's fighting in front of his family and friends in his hometown, so he wants to impress them against the 25-year-old Perez (15-2-1, 10 KOs), who is from Salinas, Calif.

"I'm still hungry," Magdaleno said. "I'm after a world title, so every fight is very important. But this is a big opportunity, fighting on Showtime here at home. This guy (Perez) is a tough, veteran guy. So I need to fight a smart fight.

"I never went into any of my last four fights saying, 'Hey, I gotta knock this guy out.' It just happened. I had an opening, and I was able to take advantage of it. Same thing with this guy. If I see an opening, I'm going to take it."

The first bell for the card is scheduled for 6 p.m. The televised portion, which includes an eight-round super featherweight bout between Casey Ramos (13-0, four KOs) and Georgi Kevlishvili (8-2, three KOs), begins at 8.

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