JAMEL HERRING GETS HIS SHOT IN THE ESPN SPOTLIGHT ON FRIDAY NIGHT

A Marine veteran and an undefeated teenage prospect are now part of Friday night’s ESPN telecast.

The 10-round bout between junior lightweights Jamel Herring and John Vincent Moralde will precede the main event bout between WBC junior welterweight titleholder Jose Ramirez and Antonio Orozco at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California..

The bout between Herring and Moralde was elevated to co-main status after junior welterweight prospect Maxim Dadashev suffered a torn biceps muscle in preparation for his bout against former lightweight titleholder Antonio DeMarco.

Herring (17-2, 10 knockouts), who resides in Cincinnati, served two tours of duty as a Marine in Iraq. He is a 2012 U.S. Olympian, who is grateful for the opportunity Top Rank has given him.

“I just want to say I’m honored to fight on ESPN,” said Herring, who returned from a nine-month layoff on May 12 to stop Juan Pablo Sanchez in five rounds. “I was already excited to fight on the same card as my Olympic teammate Jose Ramirez but to be placed as the co-main event right before he steps in the ring is a big deal. A win here will land me in position for a world title, so I’m not losing any focus at the real task at hand.”

WBC junior welterweight titlist Jose Ramirez (left) and junior lightweight Jamel Herring. Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

Herring and Moralde will fight for a regional title.

Moralde (20-1, 10 KOs), who resides in General Santos City, hometown of Manny Pacquiao, last fought on May 26, winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Ismail Muwendo.

The 24-year-old Moralde was stopped in his previous fight by featherweight contender Toka Kahn Clary on December 1.

Opening the ESPN/ESPN Deportes (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT) telecast will be a six-round bout between junior lightweight Gabriel Flores Jr. and Roger Gutierrez.

Undefeated junior lightweight prospect Gabriel Flores Jr. Photo credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank

The 18-year-old Flores (9-0, 5 KOs) made history in becoming the youngest fighter to sign a promotional deal with Top Rank at the age of 16.

Flores is a former amateur standout, who resides in nearby Stockton, where he has a significant following. In his most recent bout on July 7 in Fresno, Flores won a one-sided decision over James De Herrera.

“It’s going to feel good to fight on ESPN in California, so close to home, to be on a big stage to inspire the kids in Stockton, my hometown,” said Flores. “I want to open their eyes for them to know they can accomplish their own dreams. The opportunity is a dream come true.”

Gutierrez (7-1-1, 4 KOs), who resides in the Los Angeles suburb of Pacoima, is unbeaten in his last four bouts.