In a battle of former world title challengers Jeyvier Cintron and Jonathan Rodriguez will meet on Saturday.

Their evenly-poised 10-round bantamweight fight features as part of the Subriel Matias-Dalton Smith undercard from Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The event will be broadcast live on PPV.com at 8 p.m. ET/1 a.m. GMT.

"Facing a great fighter like Jonathan 'Titan' will be a great opportunity, he's a world-class competitor and it will help me prepare for what's to come in my future," Cintron (13-1, 6 KOs) told The Ring.

"I know it won't be easy. No fight in boxing is easy; we risk our lives in every fight. I always go into the ring prepared for any situation. I know what it's like to be in trouble, to handle all kinds of situations in boxing. I have over 20 years' boxing experience and right now, feel I'm at my best to win and show everyone that I belong among the best."

Cintron was destined to box from an early age and follow in his father, Javier's footsteps. He was a standout amateur and is the only Puerto Rican boxer to have appeared in two Olympic Games, representing his homeland at the 2012 and 2016 editions.

He turned professional stateside in the Floridian city of Kissimmee on a Top Rank show in April 2017, one which featured then 3-0 pro Teofimo Lopez -- who has since won world titles in two divisions -- as well as recent world title challenger Christopher Diaz-Velez.

After making the requisite steps, he fought well but came up short against the more experienced Kazuto Ioka in a WBO junior bantamweight title shot in December 2019.

However, rather than that serve as a learning curve, it took his life in a different direction.

"I went through many things, like depression, knee surgery, and a lot of personal challenges," he admitted. "I decided to do a reality show, and became the champion of Exatlon United States, season 5. Then I returned to Exatlon, and suffered my knee injury, which further delayed my boxing return.

"Throughout the entire process during those four inactive years, I had to stand firm and face every obstacle to be able to return to boxing. I saw no light at the end of the tunnel until I clung to God, giving me the strength to come back. I also had the help of my team at Fresh Productions, who motivated and gave me a hand to return in a big way."

The old adage says what doesn't break you makes you stronger and Cintron returned in 2024 with contrasting wins on undercards topped by Matias in their native Puerto Rico.

"After my retirement, I'm back stronger than ever," he said. "I have two victories since my return and feel like I'm in my best shape. Stronger, faster, more skilled, and hungrier than ever."

Cintron, now 30, is more mature and ready to show his improvements as a person, boxer and ultimately kick on to achieve a long-standing goal.

"My boxing transformation has been immense," he said. "I'm a different person. I'm not even half the Jeyvier who fought Ioka back then. So much so that if I were to step into the ring against Ioka right now, I see myself emerging victorious with a resounding win.

"Now I feel more prepared than ever to achieve great victories and obtain what has been waiting for me for years: my destiny, the world title."

Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17 KOs) has been a professional since August 2018. The Mexican won his first 16 fights before dropping a 10-round split decision to Jose Martin Estrada Garcia.

He rebounded strongly and beat former world title challengers Felipe Orucuta (TKO 10) and Julian Yedras (KO 1) among others to earn a shot at then IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas in April 2021. Despite a solid effort, he dropped a 12-round unanimous decision.

He has returned with three wins and was held to a 10-round draw by compatriot Israel Gonzalez in July 2023. He had been due to face Kosei Tanaka for the WBO title last July but missed weight by six pounds and responded by since moving up to bantamweight.