Venezuelan champ joins Golden Boy

LAS VEGAS – Undefeated super featherweight champion Jorge Linares of Venezuela signed with Golden Boy Promotions on Saturday.

Linares (27-0, 18 KOs) is nicknamed “El Niño de Oro” – the Golden Boy. After fighting in Japan for much of his career, the 24-year-old is looking for big-money bouts in the United States with Oscar De La Hoya’s company.

Linares won the WBC featherweight title in July 2007, stopping Oscar Larios in his only US appearance. He moved up to 130 pounds (59 kilograms) last year, winning the vacant WBA title by beating Whyber Garcia last November.

Linares’ next bout is against Juan Carlos Salgado in Tokyo on Oct. 10. The fight is being staged by Linares’ longtime Japanese promoter, Teiken, which will remain Linares’ co-promoter. (AP)