Undefeated Milwaukee boxer Daniel Blancas back on the big stage in Las Vegas

“Like you just feel untouchable during those moments because of how hard you work and all the hard work paid off.”

MCC Boxing Club members observe Ricardo Evangelista, 18, spar with another boxer during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(Center) Boxer Sebastian Hernandez, 20, spars during MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MCC Boxing Club students and parents attend a sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Angelica Edwards / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

(From left) MCC Boxing Club Coach Jose Rosales and boxer Sebastian Hernandez, 20, observe a sparring match during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(From left) Leonel Hernandez, Jose Vera and Aaron Hernandez laugh during a MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MCC Boxing Club members practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Orlando Ruiz and Aaron Hernandez spar during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MCC Boxing Club members attend a sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Coach Evelyn Rosales observes an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Boxer Sebastian Hernandez, 20, spars during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Angelica Edwards / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

(From left) Leonel Hernandez, Jose Vera and Aaron Hernandez attend an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(From left) MCC Boxing Club members Adam Abreu, 14, Javier Jaimes, 14, and Uriel Hernandez, 21, bag punch during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MCC Boxing Club members jump rope during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

10-year-old Orlando Ruiz weighs himself during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

(From left) Coach Jose Rosales observes Sebastian Hernandez, 20, and Ricardo Evangelista, 18, spar during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MCC Boxing Club students and parents attend a sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

A gate is closed between the basketball court and boxing area during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Jose Vera gives Leonel Hernandez a drink of water during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

MCC Boxing Club Coach Jose Rosales ties laces on a boxer’s gloves during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Jadeth Morales Soto, 16, helps Sebastian Hernandez, 20, take his boxing gloves off after an MCC Boxing Club sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Boxers pack up their belongings after an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club members observe Ricardo Evangelista, 18, spar with another boxer during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club members observe Ricardo Evangelista, 18, spar with another boxer during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

(Center) Boxer Sebastian Hernandez, 20, spars during MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club students and parents attend a sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Angelica Edwards / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

(From left) MCC Boxing Club Coach Jose Rosales and boxer Sebastian Hernandez, 20, observe a sparring match during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

(From left) Leonel Hernandez, Jose Vera and Aaron Hernandez laugh during a MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club members practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

Orlando Ruiz and Aaron Hernandez spar during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club members attend a sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

Coach Evelyn Rosales observes an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

Boxer Sebastian Hernandez, 20, spars during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. - Angelica Edwards / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

(From left) Leonel Hernandez, Jose Vera and Aaron Hernandez attend an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

(From left) MCC Boxing Club members Adam Abreu, 14, Javier Jaimes, 14, and Uriel Hernandez, 21, bag punch during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club members jump rope during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

14 / 21

See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

10-year-old Orlando Ruiz weighs himself during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

15 / 21

See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

(From left) Coach Jose Rosales observes Sebastian Hernandez, 20, and Ricardo Evangelista, 18, spar during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club students and parents attend a sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

17 / 21

See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

A gate is closed between the basketball court and boxing area during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

18 / 21

See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

Jose Vera gives Leonel Hernandez a drink of water during an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

19 / 21

See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

MCC Boxing Club Coach Jose Rosales ties laces on a boxer’s gloves during practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

20 / 21

See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

Jadeth Morales Soto, 16, helps Sebastian Hernandez, 20, take his boxing gloves off after an MCC Boxing Club sparring practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

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See photos of a youth boxing club in Milwaukee's south side

Boxers pack up their belongings after an MCC Boxing Club practice at the Kosciuszko Community Center on March 12, 2026, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Blancas grew up the son of a boxer – Ignacio fought in Mexico before coming to the United States and helps train his son – and the grandson of a big boxing fan. Daniel is the oldest of three brothers. Aldo is 19 and made his pro debut in March. Mateo is 9.

Blancas put on the gloves for the first time at 8 and, influenced by the likes of multiclass champions Julio César Chávez and Juan Manuel Marquez, he hasn’t stopped hitting the bag since.

Blancas was 15, give or take, faring well in amateur tournaments, when he decided he could make a career in the sport. He won a championship for Team USA at the 2017 Junior Olympics.

Now the lanky, 6-foot-3 super middleweight nicknamed “Ice Man” is in his fifth year as a pro. His 14-0 record includes seven knockouts.

Next up is Blancas’ biggest fight and his longest, a scheduled 10-rounder against Raul Salomon (16-3-1, 14 KO), who has fought most recently as a light heavyweight.

“What I know is he’s a tough guy,” Blancas said. “He has some good experience. I know he could take a punch.

“He’s going to be a great fight for me, a great test, and I know he’s going to be ready for it, and so am I. I've been training really, really hard, getting ready for it.”

The fight is part of the undercard on a night headlined by the WBO cruiserweight title fight between two-class champion David Benavidez (31-0), the challenger, and Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez (48-1).

Blancas connected with Benavidez a few years back as the world was starting to return to normal after the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic and became one of about a half-dozen boxers considered part of his team.

“When I was in Los Angeles, visiting some family, the opportunity came up to actually spar him,” Blancas said. “And I went and did that, and him and his father really liked the sparring session. So we kept in touch.

“And then they reached out to my dad, because he’s one of my trainers as well. And they were like, ‘Come down to another training camp with us. We really liked how you did.’”

The relationship has paid off with training and sparring opportunities with one of the best and chances to fight on the undercard at some of the most prestigious venues in the country.

Blancas has never fought professionally in Wisconsin. The exceedingly few opportunities there might have been as he was coming up conflicted with other, more prestigious opportunities in one way or another.

Considering he spends only a couple of months at a time in Milwaukee between training camps, Blancas is proud of the fan base he has built in the community he still calls home.

“The city, they support me, a lot of the people support me. A lot of my friends support me,” Blancas said. “It feels good knowing that I’m loved back home in Milwaukee and it’s also an honor to represent the city because with everything going on sometimes in Milwaukee it’s a good thing to have someone doing something positive as well.”

This will be Blancas’ sixth fight in Las Vegas and second at T-Mobile.

“I feel really, really blessed because it’s been a long journey,” he said. “Now that I’m able to fight here in Las Vegas, especially on the big stages – like T-Mobile Arena, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay; I fought in all those spots – that’s a dream come true for me and for a lot of boxers growing up, because that’s where the big fights have always happened.

“Just being able to be part of history and being able to live that, it just feels like sometimes unreal.”

Boxing closer to home in Racine

Coincidentally, the same weekend as Blancas’ fight with Salomon, BMB promotions has a Cinco de Mayo program scheduled for Memorial Hall in Racine with amateurs on May 1 and professionals on May 2.

Fights start at 6:30 p.m. Friday and 5 p.m. Saturday, culminating with a 10-round super-welterweight bout between Michigan native Joey Spencer (20-2, 11 KO) and Dominican fighter Eudy Bernardo (27-9, 19 KO).

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee boxer Daniel Blancas (14-0) fighting in Las Vegas again