Changes don’t affect Las Vegas boxer Magdaleno

Diego Magdaleno figured it was time for a change.

After fighting his last dozen bouts in Las Vegas, the 25-year-old NABF super featherweight champion agreed to fight outside of Nevada for only the second time in his career -- and face a southpaw for the first time.

Of course, Magdaleno (21-0, seven knockouts) never figured he'd have to train for three different opponents for Friday's 10-round main event at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Ariz. But when Miguel Beltran wasn't medically cleared and his replacement, Eduardo Lazcano, injured his ribs while sparring this week, Magdaleno was paired Wednesday with veteran Fernando Beltran Jr.

"That's boxing. Things happen," said Magdaleno, whose title still will be at stake. "I'm just focused on what I'm doing."

Pat Barry, who along with Augie Sanchez trains Magdaleno, said he's glad promoters replaced Lazcano, a southpaw, with the 30-year-old Beltran (36-7-1, 20 KOs), another lefty who lost to Joan Guzman for the WBO super bantamweight title in 2005.

"We didn't demand they bring us another southpaw, but it's nice that it worked out that way since we've been training the past couple of weeks to fight (one)," Barry said.

Magdaleno, himself a southpaw, said it was a bit awkward when he first started preparing for Lazcano. But his younger brother Jesse has fought a couple of lefties, and with a little advice, Magdaleno quickly got comfortable.

"I think it will help me throw my right hook to the body more effectively," Magdaleno said. "We've been working on it, and I don't think it'll be a problem."

Neither will fighting outside of Las Vegas.

Magdaleno fought in Maywood, Calif., in February 2009, winning a six-round unanimous decision over Rodrigo Aranda. And even though he'll be out of his comfort zone, Magdaleno said performing away from home won't be a big deal.

"I'm used to fighting in casinos, and when we went down there a few weeks ago to promote the fight, the people there were very friendly," he said. "A lot of my fans are making the trip from Vegas, so it's not like I won't have any support."

Barry thought the timing was good to change up things.

"These are the kind of situations you eventually need to deal with," Barry said. "He won't have any of the distractions he might have when he's home. He can just focus on the fight."

Magdaleno will be making his first ring appearance since Nov. 11, when he won a 10-round unanimous decision over Emmanuel Lucero at Mandalay Bay. Beltran has lost three of his last four fights.

"I need to win this fight and look good doing it," Magdaleno said. "It's going to be different, but I think anytime you can do something different, it's a learning experience."

First bell for the card will be 7 p.m. The card will be shown on tape delay on Showtime (Cable 240) at 11 p.m.

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