27.01.04 – By Marc Abrams: With the recent “upset” of 147-pound king Ricardo Mayorga by the fists of Cory Spinks getting most of the attention, Antonio Margarito has been training quietly with the hopes of jumping into the picture to be recognized to the “man” of the welterweight division. Margarito will defend his WBO Welterweight title, Saturday night in Phoenix Arizona against the undefeated Hercules Kyvelos. Also on the card is the Powerful IBF Featherweight champ Rafeal Marquez takes on mandatory Challenger Pete Frissina.
Margarito, 25, from Tijuana, Mexico sports a record of 29-3, 20 knockouts will be making the 3rd defense of his and crown and is coming off a non-title over the weight 2nd round destruction over Maurice Brantley in October. He won the crown in March 2002 with a 10th round TKO over the durable Antonio Diaz. In October 2002 he pitched a near perfect shutout decision over Danny Perez. His most recent defense was probably his most impressive performance. That was a 2nd round TKO Over the hard hitting Andrew “6 Heads” Lewis. Margarito brings a 21 fight unbeaten streak into the ring, with his last loss coming in June of 1996, a decision loss to Rodney Jones.
The 28 year old Kyvelos is a former Canadian amateur star. The resident of Montreal brings an undefeated 22-0 record with half of his wins (11) coming inside the distance. He is coming off a June 2003 victory of former championship challenger Ener Julio. He also defeated a former Fernando Vargas opponent Fitz Vanderpool in a close 12 round decision back in February 2000.
Margarito seems to be on a roll, He is the consummate boxer-puncher with a lot of skills to both box and brawl. He will set the tone to try to look spectacular to want the public to see him in against some of the other top welterweights. Kyvelos has some skills as evidenced by his great amateur career. I don’t see him hitting hard enough to keep the persistent Margarito off of him for extended periods. I see Margarito scoring an explosive mid-round knockout and hopefully an action fight fans dream of Margarito and Ricardo Mayorga wood be flat out fireworks.
The brick fisted 28 year old Marquez (30-3, 27 KO’s) is the brother of featherweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez, and is one of hottest fighters going today as he has won his lat 9 fights with 7 Ko’s. He has fought and beat the best bantamweights in the world. He defeated current 115 pound beltholder Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson twice in 13 months. The 1st was a controversial split decision in January, 2001. The 2ns fight was an 8 round destruction where Marquez’s size and punching power was the big difference. The next fight was an easy 6 round stoppage of unheralded Jorge Otero in July, 2002. Then came the big 1, a stunning come from behind 8th round TKO over longtime champion, the undefeated Tim Austin. That fight not only showed his enormous punching power, but his courage as he had to rally in that fight from behind on all 3 judges scorecards. He made his 1st defense last October with a easy unanimous decision of Mauricio Pastrana.
Frissina, also 28, enters the ring with an impressive (27-3-1; 15 KO’s)record. He has a 19 fight unbeaten streak, with his last loss coming in 1998. Since then he has defeated the likes of Steve Dotse, Arthur Johnson, Jorge Lacierva. And 2 times over Jesus Perez.
This fight should not be competitive was Marquez is a tremendous puncher, where Frissina will try to take this fight into the later rounds. I think Marquez will not let this happen as this is a Major step up in class for Frissina and I believe will be out of there before the middle rounds end.