The main event for the first announced PBC on FS1 card of 2020 hasn’t exactly drawn rave reviews, but the supporting cast can give viewers just cause to tune in during Super Bowl weekend.

Unbeaten lightweight prospect Michel ‘La Zarza’ Rivera is being groomed for an intriguing crossroads bout versus New Mexico’s Fidel Maldonado Jr. (27-4-1, 20KOs), which once finalized will land on the February 1 edition of Premier Boxing Champions (PBC) on FS1.

News of the bout has yet to be formally announced by PBC brass, but has been confirmed as the next course of action by both sides.

The show—which airs live from Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi—is headlined by top-rated welterweight contender Yordenis Ugas (24-4, 11KOs) in a stay-busy fight versus second generation boxer Mike Dallas Jr. (23-3-2, 11KOs). News of the main event was met with largely negative reaction, as Ugas—a Miami-based Cuban southpaw—is a world class welterweight contender, while Dallas Jr.—whose late father Mike Dallas Sr. boxed as a lightweight in the 1990s—is widely viewed as an opponent-type.

The addition of Dominican Republic’s Rivera (17-0, 11KOs) in a step-up fight lends cause to tune in, as the baby-faced lightweight—who turns just 22 in March—is a prospect to watch in 2020. A career largely spent in his home country, Rivera fought exclusively on the road in 2019, beginning with a showcase appearance in Uruguay before making his way to the United States. His stateside debut came in June, scoring a clear decision win over Rene Tellez Giron in a matchup of unbeaten lightweights which aired on Showtime’s ShoBox series.

Giroz has since scored an upset knockout of previously unbeaten Karlos Balderas, while Rivera has sought a step up since his last fight, a 5th round stoppage of Jose Luis Gallegos last September on FS1.

The latter bout was preceded by Gallegos missing weight, which resulted in a $1,600 commission-issued fine of which half was due to go to Rivera. Shortly after their win, Rivera—who initially refused to accept the additional $800 to his paycheck, only for the commission to have already added it to his check—visited Gallegos’ locker room to hand him a check in that amount, keeping his word of refusing to reap the benefits of his opponent’s sacrifices and struggles during training camp.

Rivera was being groomed for a clash with lightweight contender Ladarius Miller in a bout that would have landed on the undercard of a January 25 Showtime card. Those plans were abandoned, however, with Rivera’s team—which includes promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and head trainer Herman Caicedo—seeking a stiff challenge for his first of a year which they envision as a path to a major title fight. Another showcase fight was not an option, considering lofty praise from Caicedo who insists his charge is the "next Felix Trinidad", even bearing facial resemblance to the Hall of Fame former three-division champion.

For now, the path to prosperity will run through Maldonado Jr. (27-4-1, 20KOs), a 28-year old southpaw from Albuquerque, New Mexico who has won his last three starts.

Once a rising prospect in his own right. Maldonado has since settled into a role as a veteran spoiler in and around the 135- and 140-pound divisions. His lone two losses over the past seven years have come at the contender level, suffering stoppage losses to Amir Imam and former lightweight titlist Ismael Barroso, while also owning an upset win over current 140-pound contender Pablo Cesar Cano.

Jake Donovan is a senior writer for BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox