Prospect Watch: ‘Sugar’ Cain Sandoval Plans Sweet 2024

When you compete in one of boxing's hot divisions, it’s a double-edged sword. Plenty of opportunities meet plenty of risk, with lots of talent trying to push their way toward the titles. Among them is “Sugar” Cain Sandoval of Sacramento, California (12-0, 11 KOs).

Sandoval, 21, says he plans to start his next knockout streak when he faces another Californian, Angel Rebollar (8-3, 3 KOs), in a 10-round bout on Saturday, April 20, on the Hollywood Fight Night card at the Commerce Casino in Commerce, California. The 360 Promotions card airs on UFC Fight Pass.

Speaking with NY Fights, Sandoval said his goals are simple: Stay busy. Be great. Move into the top ten. With four fights in 2023 and already teeing up his second fight of 2024, he’s taking promoter Tom Loeffler up on his promise to keep Sandoval busy.

Sandoval Stands On His Skills

Cain Sandoval dominated veteran Javier Molina in his last fight in February. Photo: Lina Baker, 360 Promotions

“People doubted me (in) my last fight because I'm so young,” said Sandoval of facing veteran and 2008 Olympian Javier Molina in his first ten-round bout in February. Sandoval settled for the dominant unanimous decision and the lessons in patience and defense. “I'm one of the top fighters in the world. But I just the world hasn't seen it yet,” declares Sandoval.

“I feel like I learn something every single fight. In my last fight, I learned I could go the distance to ten rounds. I feel like I'm ready for the rest of my fights to be ten (rounds) from now on.”

Super lightweight rates among the best divisions in boxing in April 2024. Sure, heavyweight is hot, and pound-for-pound champions appear from flyweight to light heavyweight. But run down anyone’s top ten list, and the names impress.

Haney, Lopez, Matias, and Cruz have the belts. Hitchins, Catterall, Barboza Jr., Taylor, and Russell (Gary Antuanne) want their shot. Dalton Smith just added adrenaline to the mix. Ten of the top 20 listed by BoxRec are undefeated, and five more have a single loss.

Sandoval: My Generation Makes Fights Happen

Sandoval says he’s never said no to a fight and never will. “I'm willing to fight wherever. I wanted to find the best to be the best.

“I'm glad that I'm part of that generation, you know, that people are starting to actually fight each other now. It's not just tiptoeing around the fight. People are making fights happen. That’s what the sport needed. So, I'm glad I'm part of it,” said Sandoval.

Sandoval represents a group of young fighters from Northern California who are starting to make a mark among their more well-known counterparts in Southern California, including his stablemate and sparring partner Charlie Sheehy, who is signed to Top Rank.

“I feel like NorCal, specifically Sacramento, is like how boxing used to be back then,” mentioning Diego Corrales, who grew up and competed as an amateur in Sacramento, and two-division super featherweight and lightweight champion Tony Lopez. “I think it's my job to bring boxing back to Sacramento.”

Sandoval admires Roberto Duran, Salvador Sanchez, and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. as his style role models for their footwork, upper body movement, and head movement. Sandoval also looks to Floyd Mayweather for his work ethic. “People just see his character. They didn’t see the hard work … I see the work ethic, having that mentality.”

See Sandoval's knockout victory over Wesley Ferrer in the co-main event on the Walsh vs. Villareal undercard at The Theater at Madison Square Garden in November.

NASTY right hands hurts him! #HFNBoxing pic.twitter.com/e1qnQiYol5

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) November 10, 2023

Cain Sandoval Motivated By Family

Cain Sandoval celebrates his decision win in February with his team including manager Oscar Sanchez and promoter Tom Loeffler (second and third from left). Photo: Lina Baker, 360 Promotions

Sandoval comes from a boxing family, with his father, aunt, uncle, and cousins all involved in boxing. “I always wanted to do it. I started training when I was six and got my first amateur fight when I was seven. I’m the last one standing and the only one who turned pro. I just love this. It’s my life,” said Sandoval.

Sandoval won several titles as an amateur, but like many other young fighters, the pandemic forced his hand, and he decided to move to the professional ranks rather than wait for another Olympic Games cycle. So far, it’s paying off the way he planned, especially since signing with 360 Promotions.

“I appreciate Tom (Loeffler) and my manager Oscar Sanchez; they gave me the opportunity. Other promoters were overlooking me. Tom really took a look at me, and he liked what he saw at the time. So, everything worked out well, and it's continuing to work out well.”

Cain Sandoval Promises KO

Cain Sandoval says he'll start his next knockout streak on April 20. His last knockout came against Wesley Ferrer. Photo: Lina Baker, 360 Promotions

Sandoval says he’s looking past the record on paper of his next opponent. Angel Rebollar’s three losses were all competitive decisions against young, solid fighters, including stablemate Sheehy, top prospect Abdullah Mason, and Anthony Cuba, who fought Mayweather protégé Curmel Moton on the Tszyu-Fundora card. But he intends to make an impression, stopping Rebollar for the first time.

“On April 20, we’ll keep the winning streak going. To be honest, I'm not holding back. I've got ten rounds with this guy, and I'm not going to take him lightly. We’ll see how the fight plays out, but I'm confident in my training and in my coaches that we put in the work to get him out of there,” said Sandoval.

Sandoval also gets motivation as a young father from his three-year-old daughter, Anna Marie. She knows what Daddy does for a living and often goes to the gym with him. “She wants to be watching me hit the bag and everything,” said Sandoval. “Now I got to make it personal for my family and my daughter.”

Sandoval owns one of the more famous boxing nicknames alongside Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard, and Shane Mosley. But he might claim the best fit with “Sugar Cain.” Sandoval said it’s been his nickname since his amateur days. Initially, it didn’t fit his inside aggressive style, but as he’s acquired the finer boxing skills and head movement, it’s all his.