By Steve Kim

A pair of champions managed by Frank Espinoza, Jessie Magdaleno (the WBO super bantamweight titlist) and Oscar Valdez (who has the WBO featherweight title) have been in the gym since January and have been awaiting their next assignment.

It's been rumored for awhile that they will both appear on a card that will take place from the StubHub Center in Carson, California on April 22nd.

Magdaleno (24-0, 17 KOs) won his title on November 5th as he decisioned Nonito Donaire at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas on the Manny Pacquiao-Jessie Vargas undercard.

According to Espinoza, Adeilson Dos Santos (18-2, 14 KOs) of Brazil will be the opponent for Magdaleno's first defense.

Espinoza told BoxingScene.com on Thursday night - "It looks like Jessie will be facing Adeilson Dos Santos in what will be his first title defense. We're all very excited that he'll get his 2017 started. It could be a big year for him."

On that same Pacquiao-Vargas card, Valdez made his first defense of his title by stopping Japanese challenger Hiroshige Osawa in seven rounds. Back on July 23rd, Valdez blasted out Matias Rueda in two to capture the vacant belt.

Moving forward, Espinoza stated - "The WBO has mandated that we have to face the number one challenger, Miguel Marriaga. That should be a very tough fight for Oscar."

Marriaga (25-1, 21 KOs) became the mandatory challenger last August with a knockout win over Guy Robb. Marriaga's sole defeat was a decision loss to former world champion Nicholas Walters in June of 2015.

Also on this bill is WBO super middleweight titlist Gilberto Ramirez, who is slated to make the first defense of his title against Max Bursak.

This is the same date as Manny Pacquiao's next outing - but it's still not clear just who and where he will fight, which makes it unclear who will televise this card from Carson.

Steve Kim is the news editor for BoxingScene.com.