Although there was a ton of potential for lightweight Karlos Balderas (14-2, 12 KOs) coming out of the 2016 Summer Olympics, things never took off in the pro ranks, and it was one roadblock after another. Looking back, things seemed over before they started, and he didn’t even know it. On Friday night, Balderas will make his 360 Promotions debut on UFC Fight Pass against Gilberto Espinoza (13-2, 8 KOs) in hopes of restarting his career.
Balderas and his brother Jose, from Santa Maria, CA, signed with Richard Schaefer’s start-up Promotional company Ring Star in November 2016. Karlos was the company’s focal point, which appeared to have a lot of promise. Balderas fought ten times between 2017 and 2019, but in December 2019, he suffered his first career loss, a brutal stoppage by Rene Giron. Balderas shouldn’t have been in the ring that night as he suffered a broken hand that wasn’t 100%, and his grandfather was in the hospital, but he went through with it as the opportunity of being on National TV was something he couldn’t pass up.
After a 20-month layoff, which saw Balderas leave Ring Star, he signed a new deal in July 2021 with Top Rank. With this came a change in Balderas’ corner as he added Buddy McGirt to the mix. Initially, it seemed like the right fit for Balderas as he was seeing success, but in July, he lost a majority decision against Nahir Albright, which led to his release from Top Rank. Balderas would find a home eight months later with Tom Loeffler’s 360 Promotions and will debut for them on Friday.
During a media workout at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, CA, Balderas was asked about what he’s been up to since suffering his second career loss last summer.
This is Karlos Balderas for @360BoxingPromos . Article coming soon with everything he's been up to. pic.twitter.com/MG7d2ykxLX
— Abraham Gonzalez (@abeG718) May 30, 2024
“I’ve been going through some things under the table,” said Balderas. It’s hard to compete at the same time when you are going through stuff. I’m thankful I have this big platform with Tom Loeffler, who opened the doors for me. I’m ready to perform. I’m ready to shine again and get my career back on track. I feel like I’ve been under the radar for some time. I feel like I’m in my prime now and will be doing ten rounds after this fight.”
When speaking to Balderas, he was a much more composed version of himself. Covering Balderas since turning pro, there was a distinct difference then and now in how he answered questions and the things he would say. This was no longer “Killer Karlos,” as he used to refer to himself, but more of an adult version of Balderas. He knows that looking back, he could have handled some of his actions better, but that is a part of life and what comes with being an adult.
“Being young and having all of these cameras in your face, you say a lot of dumb things you shouldn’t be saying. You burn bridges when you’re young, and you don’t even know what’s going on. Now I’m more aware. I wish I had been this open-minded when I first turned pro. I feel like this is a fresh start for me.”
With that fresh start comes an adjustment in his corner. His father and uncle are training him, but they have brought on the great Robert Garcia and have been training at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy (RGBA) in Riverside, CA. Balderas said he’s gotten the best sparring he has ever had at Garcia’s gym and feels that alone will take him to the next level. He feels healthy and excited to return to the ring as he targets all the big names at lightweight.
“My dad and uncle are my main coaches, and they have been training me since I was a kid. They took me all the way to the Olympics. Now we have added someone with more experience, and that is Robert Garcia. Just being at that gym pushes you to another level. There are so many lions like Bam (Rodriguez), Vergil (Ortiz), etc. If you don’t train hard there, you are going to get left behind whether it’s training, running, or sparring.”
Balderas is 27 and turns 28 in a few weeks, hoping this new opportunity with Loeffler will get him the fights he has long desired. He knows that it’s all on him to perform and show he is ready, which starts with this fight on UFC Fight Pass on Friday. A big performance from him will lead to even bigger fights, as Loeffler can make fights with just about any promoter. Balderas told FightsATW, “I have spoken to Mr. Tom (Loeffler), and he has big plans for me. He is in the works of getting me a WBC Continental of Americas title fight. It’s time. I’m 27 and ready for the big fights.”
After Balderas was a highly touted prospect, he lost a lot of that momentum and now has to rebuild it with his new promoter. The question is, can he or is it too late? This question can be answered somewhat with Friday night’s fight, but the rest will be up to Balderas himself to show off the potential everyone saw in him in 2017. Before leaving the gym, FightsATW asked Balderas why fans should tune into his fight.
“I’m much more disciplined and more responsible than when I first turned pro. I come to realize that three or four years have passed and that you are still messing around. Thankfully I snapped out of it before it was too late. I’m ready to put on a show on June 7.”
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