Padilla, With Whitaker in Mind, Faces Swift at Olympic Tonight

Zack Padilla, a nonstop puncher in quest of a big-money match with Pernell Whitaker, is the headliner tonight in the refurbished Olympic Auditorium’s second boxing show.

Padilla (19-1-1) boxes Tulsa journeyman Dwayne Swift (41-16) in a 10-rounder. The card’s first bout begins at 7:15 p.m.

The Azusa light-welterweight has been a sensation since launching his 1991 comeback. After a four-year layoff, Padilla, 30, has won 12 in a row, including upsets of former world champion Roger Mayweather and previously unbeaten Carlos Gonzalez.

Promoter Bob Arum has said he wants to match Padilla with World Boxing Council champion Whitaker later this year.

Also on tonight’s card, 1992 Olympian Pepe Reilly (4-1) fights Sergio Baez (3-3), and fast-rising junior-welterweight Roberto Garcia (10-0) of Oxnard fights Jose Herrera (5-11).