There aren’t any titles on the line for the Saturday night fight between former world champions Yokasta Valle and Marlen Esparza, and it doesn’t matter because the winner of the high-stakes bout will be sitting pretty to face undisputed flyweight queen Gabriela Fundora, The Ring's 2024 Fighter of the Year.

The former three-division champion Valle (32-3, 10 KOs) is stepping up two weight classes to face the former unified 112-pound champion Esparza (15-2, 1 in a 10-round fight in Cancun, Mexico on the undercard of the event headlined by William Zepeda vs. Tevin Farmer.

“This fight is so special and important,” promoter Oscar De La Hoya said during a press conference on Thursday. “There is no limit to what they can do. That's the beauty about pitting two great champions together. There is no loser. You fight hard, and you keep winning. It's an important fight for women's boxing. Women's boxing is growing positively, full-steam ahead. I am very excited for this fight.”

De La Hoya’s Golden Boy outfit also co-promotes Fundora, who headlines her own show on April 19 in Oceanside, California against Marilyn Badillo. The winner between Valle and Esparza will likely emerge as the next opponent for Fundora, who’s still missing notable names on the resume of her fast-ascending career.

“I was given the opportunity, and why not?” said Valle.”This is an opportunity for women to shine while facing the best. Marlen has already done everything under the sun and this is my opportunity to showcase my talent.”

The 35-year-old Esparaza has been a trailblazer for women’s boxing in her own right, scoring a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympics and then becoming the first female fighter to sign with Golden Boy in 2016 before making her pro debut.

“Oscar really put women's boxing on the map, especially in the smaller weight divisions,” said Esparza. “If it wasn't for Oscar really building this weight class, we wouldn't really have a lot of the women that we have now.”

Valle, a 100, 105, and 108 pound champion, has been a flag bearer for females as well. Exactly one year to the date she’s fighting Esparza, on March 29, 2024, Valle fell short for her shot at the undisputed 105-pound crown against Seniesa Estrada, snapping a 16-fight winning streak.

Esparza also suffered a defeat in 2019 to Estrada, who retired after the Valle fight.

Making weight, however, has been an issue for Esparza, as she’s came in at 114 pounds in both of her last two bouts, two pounds more than the 112-pound limit.

In April, Esparza lost her WBC, WBO, and WBA flyweight titles on the scales before losing a split decision to Gabriela Celeste Alaniz. Esparza bounced back in December against Arely Mucino, but she was overweight once more.

Despite the misfraction, Esparza said that Valle jumping up two weight divisions should not present much of a physical disadvantage.

“Going up and down in weight is not that difficult for women,” said Esparza. “For women, it happens a lot due to our growing talent. Five, six pounds [spits on hand] – it's fine. To be honest, she's a great fighter. Once we get in the ring, we'll figure it out. I really don't think the whole weight thing is going to be an issue at all.”