Tomlinson makes Golden Boy debut on Canelo-Angulo undercard

Tomlinson makes Golden Boy debut on Canelo-Angulo undercard

Australian junior lightweight Will Tomlinson came to Las Vegas last September as a paying customer, watching Floyd Mayweather Jr. outclass Saul Alvarez at the MGM Grand in one of the biggest boxing nights in the city’s history.

When Tomlinson (21-0-1, 12 knockouts) returns to Las Vegas in March, it’ll be as a paid participant. The fighter will make his debut under the Golden Boy Promotions banner on Mar. 8 after signing with them to close 2013. Tomlinson will take on Jerry Belmontes in a ten-round bout that will take place on the non pay-per-view portion of the card.

Belmontes (18-3, 5 KOs) has suffered three defeats in his last four bouts and should make for a fan-friendly fight with the come forward banger Tomlinson.

Tomlinson came to the United States in the second half of 2013, looking to take his career to the next level. The 27-year old felt he had reached the highest level he could in his homeland and thought Los Angeles was the place where he could take the next step. After taking his time finding the right fit for a trainer, Tomlinson settled on Manny Robles. It was then that Tomlinson got a meeting with Golden Boy, resulting in the promotional contract he signed with the Los Angeles based company.

Tomlinson’s journey wasn’t without its hurdles. In fact, Tomlinson and Robles had to endure a failed kidnapping plot in Tijuana back in late September, but it seems to have all been worth it.

In the thin junior lightweight division, one strong showing could be enough to get Tomlinson in line for a major fight.

-Mark E. Ortega / @MarkEOrtega

-Managing editor at www.BehindTheGloves.com