ONTARIO, CA — Golden Boy Promotions mega prospect Joel Iriarte, who the company signed and debuted earlier this year, continued his rapid trajectory as a remarkable, blue-chip talent Saturday at Toyota Arena in Ontario, California.
The 21-year-old welterweight is 6-foot-1 at 147 pounds and has clear power in the division, as he needed only two rounds to knock out Yainel Alvarez and advance his pro boxing record to 3-0 (3 KOs).
Oscar de la Hoya brought Iriarte into the company in March, earmarking him for greatness because of his background as a 17-time national amateur champion. “Joel has championship DNA,” De La Hoya said in a statement sent to World Boxing News at the time. “[He] will have a remarkable career.”
Iriarte is certainly off to a hot start as he continues picking up knockout wins in quick succession.
He even told World Boxing News backstage that he wants to become a future face of Golden Boy Promotions, much like Vergil Ortiz, Jaime Munguia, Ryan Garcia, Alexis Rocha, and Floyd ‘Kid Austin’ Schofield are today.
“I’m ready to show the world [that I can follow in their footsteps],” Iriarte told us.
“I’m ready to prove to everyone why I’m here, make big statements, and that I belong on the biggest stages.”
He continued: “With 17 national titles and three international gold medals, that set me up to transition well into the pro game. Those accolades definitely helped me, boxing is boxing regardless of whether it’s amateur or pro.
“I’m 21 and 3-0 and happy to keep on learning and keep on growing.”
On what, specifically, he took away from his finish Saturday, Iriarte said: “I was able to use all the tools in my toolbox and at the same time stay calm and listen to my corner. When I hurt him, I think my calm mindset even hurt him more.”
Though Iriarte has only been with Golden Boy since before his debut in March, he has already fought three times in four months, and the promotion, he said, wants to keep him active.
“I’d like to fight six more times in 2024. I’d like to get back in the ring by August at the latest. I have a great team, and we’ll be ready to go as soon as my name is called again.”
Alan Dawson is World Boxing News Lead Writer, a 2 x Sports Journalist of the Year finalist, and 5 x BWAA awards winner. Follow Alan @AlanDawsonSport.
