On Friday Daniela Romina Bermudez defends her WBO world title versus Alys Sanchez. Bermudez has made a few successful defenses of her title now and I expect her to beat Sanchez who has lost to worse fighters than Bermudez.
A prospect that I know a lot of people are interested in is Viddal Riley who fights for the first time since signing to Mayweather promotions. Hes fighting in a decent step up that he should be able to win fairly comfortably. Outside of Riley on that card other prospects I like the look of are Kevin Newman II who faces Genc Pilana in what should be a good fight. Keith Hunter fights Sanjarbek Rakhmanov in a rematch of a very close fight last year. Rakhmanov has come in short notice so I think Hunter will win again. The last prospect I think looks good on this card is Richardson Hitchins a 2016 Olympian who faces Nicholas DeLomba. I think Hitchin will win but its a good fight for him at this stage of his career and like all fights a potential banana skin. I know a lot of the people who only watch youtubers fight will watch this card because of Viddal and if your one of them I hope you tune into the other fights on the card and support the boxers.
Also on Friday in the USA Carlos Takam veteran heavyweight contender returns and fights Fabio Maldonado. This should be extremely one sided as Maldonado is just used as an tune up opponent with a good record at this point. Hes also never really tried to make it in boxing as he used to be an MMA fighter. Takam should be KO him between rounds 4-6 which will see Maldonado’s record drop to 26-4
The final and biggest card of the weekend takes place on Saturday in Texas. Mikey Garcia fights Jessie Vargas in a 12 round non title fight where the winner could get the mega fights next. Garcia is looking to become a five weight champion and after losing to Errol Spence will try to show he can be a force at Welterweight by fighting Vargas. Vargas is a two weight champion himself and will be going for the upset here to get a career defining victory. If Garcia wins its rumored he’ll fight Manny Pacquiao which would be a massive fight and one that won’t be there for too long before Pacquiao retires.
On the under card Khalid Yafai fights the legend Roman Gonzalez in what should be an excellent fight. Gonzalez is clearly not what he once was but he may still have enough to beat Yafai and thats what makes this fight so intriguing. If both were in their primes then Gonzalez wins without question but its now seen as a 50/50 fight. I’m not sure whos going to win but I know its going to be a good fight.
Also on the under card Julio Cesar Martinez fights Jay Harris for the WBC Flyweight world title. Martinez looks to be a potential new star for Mexico and his style is amazing to watch. Your guaranteed violence when he enters the ring and I don’t think it’ll be different in this one. Harris is a good fighter but he hasn’t faced anyone like Martinez and I think he”ll get stopped between rounds 7-12.
Joseph Parker fights in a stay busy fight versus Shawndell Terell Winters. This isn’t as bad a fight as people are making it out to be as Winters is a road warrior and will be coming to win as this is a big opportunity for him. I think Parker will likely win but he does have a habit of making fights harder than they have to be and sometimes seems to lack a bit of killer instinct. Israil Madrimov fights Charlie Navarro in a WBA world title eliminator which is good as it shows Madrimov is being moved quickly. Hes currently one of the best prospects in the sport and also has a fan friendly style. Hes KO’d all four opponents so far and I don’t see this one being any different. After this fight hopefully we see him versus a top 10 guy or a champion as I believe he is good enough to compete with those guys at only 4 fights in.
Jesse Rodriguez fights Marco Sustaita in a good fight at this stage of his career. Hes only 20 but looks like a very good prospect and seems to be moving through the levels of opponents quite quickly for being only 20. I expect him to win by KO here. Diego Pacheco fights Oscar Riojas a tough Journeyman/gatekeeper over 6 rounds. I think Pacheco is very good and at only 18 years old hes going to get much better. I’m certain he’ll be a world champion at some point and I expect him to win this fight whether by dominant decision or KO. Alexis Espino fights Delvecchio Savage in a good experience building fight, I expect him to win but Savage is a tough guy and has beaten prospects before. In the final fight Leo Ruiz Acevedo fights Dennis Knifechief in a good step up fight. Acevedo is only 6-0 and Knifechief is a good opponent for him at this point.
As always I hope you enjoy the boxing and that all the boxers get home safely. I’ll be here next Thursday for my normal preview of the weeks boxing.
Boxing Fulcrum 