By Francisco Salazar

Lightweight contender Michael Perez will face once-beaten Marcelino Lopez in a crossroads bout on Apr. 20, Golden Boy Promotions announced Wednesday morning.

The 10 round bout will take place at the Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y. and will headline an ESPN2 broadcast, beginning at 11 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. PT.

“True crossroads fights almost always spell high action because both fighters have so much to gain – and to lose,” said Golden Boy Promotions Chairman and CEO Oscar De La Hoya.

“Both Lopez and Perez have achieved a lot in their careers, but to catapult themselves into title contention; each has to get a win here.”

“I expect fireworks and so should fans watching live at Turning Stone or on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.”

Perez (24-2-1, 11 KOs) hopes to rebound from his last bout on September 30, a sixth round knockout loss to lightweight contender Petr Petrov.

The loss snapped a 10-bout unbeaten streak for the Newark, N.J. resident.

Perez will be a significant step up in opposition for Lopez, who hails from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Lopez (32-1-1, 17 KOs) has not fought since knocking out David Rodela in October of 2015. He has won his last three bouts since decision loss to Pablo Barboza in July of 2014.

In the televised co-feature, unbeaten welterweight Rashidi Ellis (17-0, 12 KOs) will take on John Karl Sosa (13-2, 6 KOs) in a 10 round bout.

Also fighting on the undercard of the Golden Boy Promotions card will be unbeaten Travell Mazion (10-0, 10 KOs). The hard-hitting fighter from Austin, Tex. and Eddie Gomez (19-2, 11 KOs) will see action in separate bouts.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for RingTV since October of 2013 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (Calif.) Star newspaper, Boxingscene.com, and Knockout Nation. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing