Although the card, held at Cowboys Dance Hall, is headlined by former champion Luis Collazo, we're more interested in the undercard as unbeaten Heayweights collide. In one corner is the debuting Juan Manuel Alvarez (0-0) and in the other corner is Aaron Rosas (0-0-1).
The month of September kicks off with a second successive day featuring Heayweight action as American fans are treat to an interesting clash thanks to Golden Boy Promotions.
Although the card, held at Cowboys Dance Hall, is headlined by former champion Luis Collazo, we're more interested in the undercard as unbeaten Heayweights collide. In one corner is the debuting Juan Manuel Alvarez (0-0) and in the other corner is Aaron Rosas (0-0-1).
0 Comments
The first day of the new month sees us going straight in to action in the Heavyweight division thanks to a show in Lagos, Nigeria which features Nigerian Olympian Onoriode Ehwarieme (9-0, 8).
Ehwarieme, who competed in the 2008 Beijing games, will be looking for his 9th straight stoppage as he takes on the debuting Oseni Lekan (0-0). Gotta state the obvious here but we favoure Ehwariemeby stoppage. It's not too often where we struggle to find a good Heavyweight clash on a Saturday though this weekend seems to be one of those few Saturday's where their really is no single stand out Heavyweight clash.
If pushed to look at the best Heavyweight action of the day however we'd have to start in Switzerland at Münsterplatz in Basel. It's on this show that was get two promising prospects in action. The most notable of the two contests in Basel sees the unbeaten German Erkan Teper (10-0, 6) stepping up to face the experience Brit Michael Sprott (37-20, 17) in what could be a genuine banana skin. Despite Sprott's record being less than Stellar he's a fighter who can really give a gun run to anyone below the "B level" and to date Teper hasn't looked like he's got it in his to genuine beat someone like Sprott. Although we expect Teper to take a "victory" don't be shocked if this is a controversial victory for the German. On the same card Switzerland's very own Arnold Gjergjaj (22-0, 16) goes for his 10th straight stoppage as he battles Polish born German Markus Tomala (9-2, 4). Although on paper this looks like it should be a relative easy victory for Gjergjaj it actually could be a competitive match with Tomala being better than his record. Staying with unbeaten Heavyweight's Puerto Rican Carlos Cotto (4-0, 4) is in action in his homeland. Cotto, will be facing domestic opponent Jimmy Suarez (2-4, 2) who has either stopped his opponents or been stopped in all 6 of his bouts to date so we're not expecting the judges to be needed here. The final unbeaten Heavyweight that we can see is Thanasis Michaloudis (1-0, 1), a former Greek kick boxer who has turned to pro boxing in the US. Michaloudis will be battling debutant Roderick Reed (0-0),just 2 weeks after making his own debut. The Michaloudis/Reed bout is one of two in the US with the other featuring Alfredo Escalera Jr (18-4-1, 12) against a yet to be named opponent. Staying in the America's their is also two bouts in South America. The most notable of these is an Argentinian domestic scrap as the experienced former Cruiserweight champion Marcelo Fabian Dominguez (43-7-1, 23) takes on journeyman Hector Alfredo Avila (22-14-1, 14) best knwn for going 9 rounds with Dereck Chisora earlier this year. The second of the South American bouts sees Brazil's Leonardo De Moura (5-9, 5) facing a yet to be announced opponent. The remaining bouts are in Europe and we'll start in German as Marlon Szabo (0-1) faces Maik Heil (0-2). This bout, in Leipzig, is the sort of thing you expect on an undercard and is really just a card filler more than anything, certainly nothign to be excited about even if it does end up being a fun bout for those at the venue. The final bouts, which we think will make up a trio, take place in Hungary as part of a mini-tournament dubbed, "Hungarian heavyweight "Super 4" tournament", yes very creative name! The fighters here will be Istvan Ruzsinszky (11-7-1, 8), Gabor Farkas (6-28-6, 3) Gabor Zsalek (9-26-2, 6) and Attila Zsiros (1-0-1, 1). We're not 100% sure though we assume that this tournament will be a 1 night thing similar to "Prizefighter" with the men fighting in semi-final bouts with the winners progressing to the final. As bizarre as it might be, this may turn out to be the most interesting Heavyweight action of the weekend with national pride at stake between the four Hungarian men. This weekend, for many boxing fans is a quiet one, there is little in terms of top class fight and in fact the only world title fight take place this weekend looks like a Light Flyweight mismatch. Interestingly however fans of the Heavyweight division have some stuff to look forward, especially is they look outside of the US and Europe.
The most notable bout, at least from where we're sat, takes place at the Club Atlético Talleres, in Buenos Aires, Argentina as the hard hitting Matias Ariel Vidondo (15-1, 14) faces veteran Fabio Eduardo Moli (44-8-0-2, 29) in a battle for Moli's Argentina nationa title. Moli should be considered the favourite with his experience and higher level of competition though with 6 of his 8 losses coming by stoppage and with Vidondo being a puncher an upset is certainly not impossible. Although the most important bout is the one in Argentina that doesn't mean that we don't have bouts spread around the world, including 3 in Australia. One of the Australian trio sees the unbeaten Ben Wrotniak (5-0, 1) taking on the experienced Oscar Siale (14-13, 4) in what could be the toughest bout of Wrotniak's career so far, despite the fact Siale is 42. Originally Wrotniak seems to have been listed as fighting Shane Tilyard, so could a change of opponents come back to bite him? The two other bouts "down under" see novices in action as David Levi (2-3-1, 2) takes on Thomas Peato (1-0) and Gordon Graff (0-0) faces a yet to be named opponent. Hard to say what to expect here, though the bout between Levi and Peato is a rematch from Peato's debut, a 6 round split decision over Levi. In Brazil we get a second interesting South American battle as Raphael Zumbano Love (32-6-1, 25), a former PABA Heavyweight challenger, somehow, takes on the dangerous Manoel Rodrigues de Souza (21-3, 17) who enters on a 4 fight stoppage run. Although no title is on the line here the bout is certainly an interesting one. The sole Heavyweight bout in Russia sees 22 year old Ruslan Faifer (0-0) make his debutat as he takes on Ukrainian opponent Roman Mirzoev (2-6, 1). With Mirzoev being a blown up Light Heavyweight, we kid you not, it'd be a real shock to see anything but a victory for the debuting youngster. The remaining 3 bouts that we have details on are all scheduled to take place in the US. In Califnornia former amateur stand out Michael Hunter (1-0, 1) battles the experienced Francisco Mireles (15-7, 4). Although Mireles has a solid looking record on paper, he has lost to every recognisable name he has faced and wil likely also lose here to a genuinely talented fighter. We have the final 2 bouts in Illinois as the unbeaten Ricardo Chavez (4-0, 3) faces the winless Calbert Lewis (0-3) and Greek kickboxer Chanassis Michaloudis (0-0) makes his professional boxing debut. The boxing weekend kicks off a day early this week with the first Heavyweight action of the week taking place on Thursday in the Eatons Hill Hotel int eh Australian state of Queensland.
The show, featuring 5 bouts in total is expected to open with the sole Heavyweight bout as Australian based British giant Scott Belshaw (10-6, 7) takes on Australian Hunter Sam (6-2-2, 3) in what could well we an explosive encounter. Although the 27 year old Belshaw goes in to this bout with both and experience and size advantage, standing at 6'7", he also comes in to this bout on a 5 fight losing streak dating back a 2nd round stoppage to Tyson Fury back in May 2009. Whilst Sam, 28, himself also enters a bout on a loss his was a controversial one dropping an 8 round majority decision to Joel Shackleton just a few weeks ago. This was Sam's second loss after a very narrow decision loss to David Aloua in 2011. The forum of the two men would strongly suggest Sam wins, likely by stoppage with Belshaw's chin letting him down 4 times already. For the second day running we have genuinely notable Heavyweight action in Europe in a bout that is as highly anticipated as many recent Heavyweight world title bouts, as well as that we have a wide variety of other bouts in the division from around the world.
The standout bout of the day is in Germany where the unbeaten Bulgaria Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9) takes on former 2-time world title challenger Tony Thompson (38-3, 26). The fight, an IBF International title fight and IBF world title eliminator will see the winner lined up to fight the winner of the upcoming Wladimir Klischko-Alexander Povetkin bout. We do favour Pulev though we know that Thompson is a potential upset for near enough and Heavyweight fighter. One thing is for sure though, who ever wins is the genuine #1 contender and has rightfully earned a title fight the old fashioned way, by fighting for it not shouting for it. We're looking at you David Haye! The Pulev-Thompson bout is one of two Heavyweight clashes in Europe with the other seeing Ukrainian novice Yuriy Voynilenko (2-0, 2) in action at home. Voynilenko will be facing off against the experienced but limited Edgars Kalnars (22-24, 13) in a notable step up from his competition so far. This bout isn't anything exciting and we do expect a victory for the Ukrainian. The rest of the Heavyweight action takes place across the Atlantic with the most notable bout taking place in Califnornia as former US Olympian Dominic Breazeale (5-0, 5) faces off against the more experienced Lenroy Thomas (16-2, 8). This is a big step up for Breazeale but one he should be capable of making with his amateur background, thunderous power and the fact Thomas has been out of the ring for almost 3 years. Clever match making by Golden Boy Promotions but it's clever in the right way. Breazeale isn't the only fighter from the Olympic's in action as fellow Olympian Ytalo Perea (4-0, 3) is also in action. Perea, a devout hooker in the ring, will be looking for his fifth professional victoy in as many bouts as he faces Avery Gibson (2-2-2, 1) who has yet to be stopped in his 6 fight career. Pera and Breazeale are two of four promising unbeaten prospects in action in the US with Alexis Santos (10-0, 9) taking on Donnie Davis (8-26, 6) in New Hampshire and Mark Rideout (3-0) facing a yet to be named opponent in New Jersey. Although we really can't say much about Rideout's bout we do feel that Santos will record his 10th stoppage victory. The remaining US bouts both take place in Oklahoma as Darren DeLaune (1-0, 1) faces the debuting Tim Bronson (0-0) and Ben Harris (0-0) also debuts, though against a yet to be named opponent. It's difficult for us to comment on either of these matches unfortunately but with DeLaune having spent 14 months out of the ring since fighting the sole round of his career we wouldn't really be shocked at anything happening. The remaining bout of the day takes place in Brazil as Marcelo Luiz Nascimento (16-4, 14) faces a yet to be named opponent. Best known losing to Tyson Fury back in 2011, Nascimento has lost 3 of his last 4 and is winless in almost 18 months. Although we've seen some busy days we started this few rival this Friday as we get notable bouts on four separate shows spread around Europe and the US.
We'll start our journey in Italy as Italian Heavyweight champion Matteo Modugno (13-0, 7) looks to make the second of his national title. The 26 year old Modugno will be facing former Europen Cruiserweight title challenger Fabio Tuiach (25-2, 15). Although Tuiach has an impressive record and has only been stopped once, by Marco Huck, he has fough just 3 times in almost 5 years. Not far from Italy, in Galati, Romania is an interesting card with 4 Heavyweight contests. The most noteworthy of the fights in Romania sees former Romanian amateur standout Chrstian Hammer (13-3, 9) taking on Norway's Leif Larsen (17-1, 14), in a defense of Hammer's WBO European title. Larsen, fighting for the first time since being out pointed by Odlanier Solis, may go into this bout as a notable under-dog though with his performance against Solis he may be able to defeat Hammer who has looked sub-par when he has stepped up in class. Although the Hammer/Larsen bout is the highlight figth on the card the most recognisable fighter on the show is Danny Williams (44-17-0-1, 33) the former European champion. Although many, especially those in Britain, feel Williams should walk away from the sport he seems to be really prolonging his on a European tour. In Romania Williams will face limited Romanian Giulian Ilie (19-6-2, 5) in a bout that could see Williams ending a 7 fight losing streak. The other two Heavyweight bouts on the show see the debuting Octavian Lehadus (0-0) taking on journeyman Liviu Ungureanu (1-15, 1) and the debut of Eddy Lehadus (0-0) who is set to a yet to be named opponent. The most noteworthy of two bouts in the US sees the much talked about Amir Mansour (18-0, 14) in action as he takes on journeyman Maurice Harris (26-17-2-1, 11) in a bout for the USBA and WBF Intercontinental Heavyweight titles. "Hardcore" Mansour, seen by some fans as the most avoided man in the division, will be looking to make an impact here against Harris and knows that he will need to score an eye catching victory if he's ever to get the big money fight that he seems to feel he deserves. The other notable bout in the US sees once beaten Heavyweight Travis Kauffman (24-1, 18) taking on Arron Lyons (12-12-1, 9) in what looks to be a bit of a mismatch. Although once hyped as a "Great White Hope" Kauffman is slowly becoming a fighter that the boxing public is forgetting about due to his protective matchmaking since his loss to Tony Grano back in 2009. Delaware, USA Amir Mansour (18-0, 14) v Maurice Harris (26-17-2-1, 11) (vacant USBA heavyweight title vacant World Boxing Federation Intercontinental heavyweight title) Pennsylvania, USA Travis Kauffman (24-1, 18) v Arron Lyons (12-12-1, 9) Today's Heavyweight action is all in Slovakia as the almost regular Slovakian Sunday show takes place once again.
The Slovakian show features 3 Heavyweight contests, all scheduled for 4 rounds. The most notable of these sees Rachid El Hadak (23-8-1, 7) taking on Hungarian journeyman Krisztian Jaksi (9-18-5, 1). Hadak is a French former Cruiserweightwho fought for the European Cruiserweight title back in 2007. Although he's not the fighter he was he's still capable and should really have enough to over come Jaksi. In the show's second most interesting Heavyweight contest Tamas Toth (5-3-2, 2) of Hungary will face Slovakia's very own Gabriel Jaszai (0-1). Although Toth is the visitorwe do favour him against Jaszai here. The third bout is expected to see Lukas Filka (2-3, 1), of Sovakia, in action against a yet to be named opponent. We appear likely to have three Heavyweight contests on Sunday with the most notable being that of Poland's promising Krzysztof Zimnoch (15-0-1, 11) battles domestic opponent Mateusz Malujda (4-1, 1).
This really shouldn't be much more than a stay busy fight for Zimnoch who is talented and is almost certainly on a crash course with Artur Szpilka somewhere down the line. The two have already shown a dislike of each other and a fight would be huge in Poland. Of course before then Zimnoch will need to get past Malujda. On the same card the unbeaten Marcin Brzeski (3-0, 3) faces Hrvoje Kisicek (3-4, 1). The 23 year old Brzeski could become a prospect to watch but until he sorts out his weight issues he'll remain a fighter that we will have reservations about. In the US it appears that the unbeaten Nat Heaven (6-0, 5) will look for his biggest victory to date as he takes on Tobias Rice (4-7-1, 2) over a 6 round schedule in Atlanta, Georgia. The major Heavyweight action on Friday took place in the US, on Saturday ALL the Heavyweight action seems to be taking place in the US.
The most notable action of the day takes place in Utah on a card that appears to have 3 Heavyweight contests on. In terms of high profile names the most high profile is veteran Billy Zumbrun (26-13-1-1, 16), the 40 year old "Kid" takes on Henry Namauu (10-6, 5) who enteres this contests on the back of 1 victory in his last 4. Although Zumbrun is probably the most noteworthy name the most promising contest, seems to be Damian Wills (30-3-1, 23) against Dante Craig (20-15-1, 15). Both are experienced and whilst neither will ever become a genuine contender it should be an entertaining contest as long as it lasts. The other Heavyweight contest on the card sees the unbeaten Scott Alexander (8-0-1, 4) fighting Geovanni Sarran (4-6, 1). On paper you'd assume Alexander was the big favourite though his opponents to date have been very limited and Sarran could be considered a step up for the unbeaten man. Outside of Utah there's a bout in Colorado as Chris Green (8-7-1, 6) takes on the winless Gary Cobia (0-3). It's a bout that we're struggling to get excited about and can't see anything but a victory for Green despite the fact he's nothing special himself. |