Brandon Rios (33-2-1, 24 ko)says he is relishing his November 7th date with WBO welterweight titlist Tim Bradley (32-1-1,12 ko), given that a big win against the new champion will springboard him on to bigger and better things.
The two Top Rank fighters will meet at the Thomas and Mack Centre in Las Vegas, with Bradley being cornered by new trainer Teddy Atlas, following his parting from long-time trainer Joel Diaz, whom he split with following his win over Jessie Vargas in June.
Friday night in Buenos Aires, Argentina, late notice challenger Ovill McKenzie was desperately unlucky in being held to a draw by IBF 200 lb champion and home-town favourite, Victor Emilio Ramirez, with consensus opinion on social media appearing to be the 36 year old “Upsetter” had done enough to walk out the ring as champion.
The likable Jamaica-born Brit – taking the fight on 11 days notice – boxed a smart fight for the duration, largely relying on fleetness of foot to avoid the plodding Ramirez’s best work, constantly throwing out the jab to good effect and spinning out the way when the visibly bigger and stronger Ramirez tried to bully him back on to the ropes.
Assuming he gets through tonight’s WBC 140lb title fight in California against Ukrainian, Viktor Postol, then Argentinian “Machine,” Lucas Matthysse, says that he would “love” the opportunity to fight Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao in the near future.
Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum is looking at securing a date for his returning fighter in the early part of 2016, and had thought to be in sole negotiations with Britain’s Amir Khan about a potential big money clash.
Chris Eubank Jr (19-1, 14ko) will face 39 year old American, Tony Jeter (20-4-1, 14ko) on his debut under the Matchroom Sport promotional banner, serving as the chief support to October 24th’s Kell Brook/Diego Chaves welterweight title fight in Sheffield, that as it stands, is still a PPV event.
WBA (interim) titlist Eubank, was unveiled by Eddie Hearn’s promotional outfit a week ago and fans were promised a top 15 opponent, which the largely unheralded Jeter technically is, at WBA #13.
Adrien Broner faces Khabib Allakhverdiev this Saturday night in Cincinnati, OH at the U.S. Bank Arena. The Showtime broadcast includes rising Puerto Rican talent Jose Pedraza taking on a vet in Edner Cherry. Beyond the obvious issue of a title at stake, the matchup is a solid one for Broner to get well after losing to Shawn Porter in June.
Two boxers fighting for a 140-pound strap both coming off losses isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. Either way it’s a do or die situation for Broner, who has chosen wisely to keep his mouth shut of late. When he has spoken Broner is saying all the right things in the run-up to this important event. Less is defiantly more for Broner as he prepares for this true crossroads fight.
The problem for Broner has been how he spends his time between bouts outside of training camp. His weight issues have been well documented. If he can get that under control there’s still some promise left at 140.
Ok so I fully admit the title to this article was easy pickings. The exact opposite of the opponent Lucas Matthysse will be facing this Saturday on HBO. Unlike the Broner/Allakhvediev bout, this HBO matchup should and will have a championship belt at stake. Will Matthysse get this much needed victory or will Postol outmaneuver Lucas? One thing that’s almost certain is the style in which both men fight producing at the all-action backdrop of the StubHub center.
Both combatants are fighting for pride and a chance to win their first full championship belt. That’s not to say it will decide who is best at junior welterweight. For all the hype about Matthysse’s power surprisingly he has yet to win a full blown title. Meanwhile Viktor Postol found himself lost in the alphabet shuffle having to wait and/or step aside while engaging Danny Garcia in a fight. With Garcia now out of the division a new lineal title will need to be formed.
With Bob Arum seemingly U-Turning on his claim “not to be looking at any other opponent for Manny Pacquiao” other than Amir Khan – [later claiming Lucas Matthysse has moved up the pecking order] – it would seem the British former 140 lb champion might be losing his heart for elite level boxing, insisting he sees a future in charity work.
British media is today awash with stories that the Muslim fighter is intent on devoting himself to charitable causes after a recent “mercy-mission” to Greece to help Islamic refugees fleeing the crisis in war-torn Syria, an endeavour he undertook entirely voluntarily and at considerable personal expense, when it emerged he had lost out on the mega-money fight with Floyd Mayweather.
Unbeaten IBF 130lb champion Jose Pedraza (20-0, 12ko), makes the maiden defence of his title this weekend in Ohio on the Broner/Allakhverdiev undercard, and is looking to make a statement over Bahamian former world title challenger Edner Cherry (34-6-2, 19ko).
The former 2008 Olympian won the belt back in June on the undercard of Deontay Wilder’s maligned heavyweight title fight with Eric Molina, beating Russia’s Andriy Klimov in a competent and assured performance, and the Puerto Rican stylist is looking to go one better against the experienced Cherry.
Tonight in Argentina, British Cruiserweight contender Ovill McKenzie (25-12, 13ko) will be looking to make his own personal piece of history when he walks into the metaphorical “Lion’s Den” against hometown favourite and new IBF champion Victor Emilio Ramirez (22-2, 17ko) in Buenos Aires.
Never one to shirk a challenge, the Jamaica-born Brit received just 11 days notice for the fight after inactive Cuban former champ Yoann Pablo Hernandez, was stripped for again seeking to postpone his own defence against Ramirez, resulting in the South American being upgraded to full champion and needing a late-notice opponent for tonight’s date.
As expected, the new date for Wladimir Klitschko and Tyson Fury’s heavyweight clash dropped today [Fri], although the rescheduled November 28th date now leaves UK broadcaster Sky with a giant PPV headache.
Fury confirmed the news of the new date on his social media accounts, writing;
“GREAT NEWS! Just heard from my team @HennessySports @peterfury that @Klitschko has had the all clear to box on Nov 28 Dusseldorf. #LETSGETITONNNN”