Jesus Gutierrez savors opportunity for Las Vegas fight

After spending the first five years of his career struggling to find consistent work, Jesus "Chuy" Gutierrez may have finally caught a break.

The undefeated lightweight from Las Vegas will fight in the co-feature of the inaugural "Knockout Night at the D" boxing show March 12 at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center. The monthly series of cards needs boxers to fill out the slate, and Gutierrez (14-0-1, four knockouts) will sell tickets.

The 27-year-old will meet Leon Spinks III in an eight-round bout in support of the 10-round welterweight main event between Zab Judah and Josh Torres.

"This is the opportunity I've been looking for," Gutierrez said. "For whatever reason, I can't seem to find consistent work, and I know I can fight.

"It's been really frustrating. I know I'm a good fighter who brings it every time I step into the ring. I know I have the ability to be a world champion. But I have to fight more than once every six months. That's what's so frustrating. I keep believing in this dream, but I'm not getting the chance to realize it."

Gutierrez last fought Sept. 10, when he defeated Roberto Acevedo in Westbury, New York. He only fought twice in 2015, so the possibility he can fight multiple times without having to leave his hometown is appealing to him.

"This is perfect for me," he said. "If I can fight every month or every other month, and on national TV, I'll be able to show everybody what I can do. And from there, who knows?"

The Gutierrez-Spinks fight will be televised nationally on the CBS Sports Network. Promoter Roy Engelbrecht said Gutierrez is perfect for the series.

"Chuy is an action fighter, and he has a large following in Vegas," Engelbrecht said. "He's still young and developing, and he is someone we want to have on our shows on a regular basis."

Gutierrez said while the business of boxing can be tough, he knows he can't let it get the best of him.

"It's a very political sport," he said. "But I want to be respected as a fighter. I'm no bum. I think I've proven myself. I'm just trying to stay focused and be ready to go when the opportunity comes up."

Tyson offers reward

Hall of Famer Mike Tyson is offering a reward for the return of the world championship belts of Tony Zale and Carmen Basilio that were stolen from the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.

Tyson posted a message on his Facebook page offering an autographed boxing glove, a signed copy of his book "Undisputed Truth" and a T-shirt in return for the belts. The Hall of Fame also is offering a $5,000 reward.

The belts were reported stolen by the Hall of Fame on Nov. 5. Anyone with information is asked to call the Canastota Police Department at 315-697-2240 or 315-697-8888.

Floyd's fitness race

The Floyd Mayweather Jr. Foundation has announced it will hold its second annual Fight 4 Fitness 5K race on April 17 at Sunset Park.

A 2K walk, a Kid's fun run, Zumba and yoga sessions, music and other entertainment also will be offered. Advance registration runs through Monday, and prices increase Tuesday.

To register or for more information, go to tfmjf.org/events.

Spence-Algieri bout

Undefeated welterweight Errol Spence Jr. will meet Chris Algieri on April 16 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The 10-round fight will be televised by NBC as part of the Premier Boxing Champions series.

Spence (19-0, 16 KOs), a 2012 Olympian, is one of boxing's rising stars, and many in the industry think he will be a world champion in the next two years.

Algieri (21-2, eight KOs) is a former world junior welterweight champ who has lost to Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan and defeated Ruslan Provodnikov.

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

Calendar

March 12: Zab Judah vs. Josh Torres, 10 rounds, welterweights, Downtown Las Vegas Events Center, 5 p.m. (CBSSN)

March 19, 20: Golden Gloves West Regionals, Santa Fe Station, 3 p.m.

April 9: Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley Jr., 12 rounds, welterweights, MGM Grand Garden, 6 p.m. (HBO PPV)

May 7: Canelo Alvarez vs. Amir Khan, 12 rounds for Alvarez's WBC middleweight title, T-Mobile Arena, 6 p.m. (HBO PPV)