MARK Bernaldez faces another stiff task in the US as he takes on unbeaten Andres Cortes on Nov. 5, 2021 at the Virgin Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The 27-year-old Bernaldez is on a roll, winning his last three contests in the US. He stopped former World Boxing Council Youth super flyweight champion Juan Kantun, Hector Suarez and Julian Aristule.
Bernaldez knows that he’s in for a difficult fight against Cortes, who owns a win over his former ALA Gym teammate Genesis Servania.
“I saw Cortes beat Servania in his latest fight. He is a good fighter with a high ring IQ. I will do my best to get the victory and make my country proud come Nov. 5,” Bernaldez said in a statement.
The 24-year-old Cortes scored a huge first round knockout win over one-time world title challenger Servania on Aug. 14, 2021 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Since starting his campaign in the US in 2019, Bernaldez has been 5-2 in American soil. His two losses were against promising prospects Albert Bell and Andy Vences.
“Mark is a seasoned fighter. Cortes is a promising prospect, but I believe experience will prevail in this fight. He has worked so hard in Miami with trainer Moro Fernandez. He is prepared and will win this fight,” said Bernaldez’s promoter Sanman Promotions chief executive officer JC Manangquil.
Bernaldez is 23-4 with 17 knockouts, while Cortes is 15-0 with eight knockouts.