DeMarco-Reyes bout headlines Primm card

These are exciting times in boxing's lightweight division. With Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez, Joel Casamayor, Nate Campbell, Juan Diaz and Amir Khan, quality fighters abound.

Antonio DeMarco would like to put himself in that elite company. At 19-1-1 with 14 knockouts, he appears to be on the road to one day being in the conversation. His promoter, Gary Shaw, thinks he's good enough to get there.

"He's a piece of gold that has not been discovered," Shaw said of the 22-year-old from Tijuana, Mexico. "The kid fights his heart out, and he's getting better all the time."

DeMarco faces a test tonight when he meets veteran Jose Reyes (23-4, eight knockouts) in a scheduled 10-round bout, which headlines the Showtime card at the Star of the Desert Arena in Primm. DeMarco is undefeated in his past 12 fights. His lone loss, which came to Anthony Vasquez on Feb. 4, 2006, was a six-round majority decision.

DeMarco "has steadily improved," Shaw said. "I believe he could hang with any 135-pounder. He's deceptively powerful. He doesn't look like he has any power, then he let's it fly and does a lot of damage."

DeMarco said he's happy with his progress. "I'm stronger, and I'm getting more experience," he said through an interpreter. "This is an important fight for me. If I am going to be considered with those other fighters, I have to beat Reyes."

Shaw said Reyes, who is ranked No. 8 by the WBO, will present a formidable challenge for DeMarco.

"This is going to be a tough fight for him," he said. "If (DeMarco) gets through, it'll be another step up the ladder."

DeMarco said he knows he's not yet in the class of Pacquiao, Marquez and Campbell. But he thinks his time is coming.

"Maybe in a year I can be fighting for a world title," DeMarco said. "For now, I need to go step by step."

In the co-feature, Yonnhy Perez (17-0, 12 KOs) faces Tomas Rojas (27-10, 18 KOs) in a 10-round bantamweight bout. First bell is at 6 p.m.

Contact reporter Steve Carp at scarp@ reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2913.