by James Slater – It’s more than fair to say that Colombian slugger Breidis Prescott has not sufficiently built on his sensational 1-round KO of hot shot Amir Khan. Fighting only once since the September 2008 upset, the 26-year-old must now watch as the man he destroyed fights for a genuine world title later this month, on July 18th – such is the way things sometimes work in boxing.
However, the night before Khan challenges WBA 140-pound champ Andriy Kotlenik, the Barranquilla-born puncher returns to action himself in Las Vegas. Five months on from his DQ win over a Humberto Toledo who took it upon himself to bite him, Prescott faces Mexican journeyman Miguel Vazquez. The little known Mexican is 24-3(12) as a pro and he has never been stopped in any one of his losses. Also, Vazquez has fought up at light-welterweight throughout much of his career, and he has even boxed as high as full welterweight in the past..
Seemingly pretty durable, Vazquez also has a couple of recognisable names on his record. The problem is, he has lost to them. A pro since January of 2006 – when he lost his debut against current NABF welterweight belt holder Saul Alvarez – Vazquez has also been out-pointed by reigning WBO 140-pound boss Tim Bradley. A second decision loss to Alvarez makes up all three of the Mexican’s setbacks. Can the fighter known as “Titere” give Prescott a good argument, and can he keep his record of never having been KO’d intact?
There is little info on BoxRec about Vazquez apart from is record – no age, stance or measurements. As such it’s hard to gauge how much of a threat he is to the Colombian we all want to see back in the ring with Khan. Going solely by his stats, Vazquez, with just 12 stoppages to his name, shouldn’t ruin any future plans Prescott has. But suffering from ring-rust as he may well be (just two fights, one a blow out, in ten months), Prescott could be given a pretty hard evening. And Vazquez is at least coming into the fight off the back of victories – three of them, in fact, two won by stoppage.
Most of Vazquez’z fights have taken place in his homeland of Mexico, but he has boxed and won inside the US before. Likely to be hungry and as ready as he can be for his big chance – and judging by how tough and game most Mexican prize fighters are anyway – Vazquez will come to fight hard.
Again, it’s tough to say what will happen, and when, but Prescott has to be the favourite. It could end early if the 21-0(18) puncher with the long reach lands a good shot, or maybe Vazquez will dig in his heels and prove stubborn enough to hear the final bell of this ten-rounder.
Either way, Prescott should win, and hopefully then we will se him in the ring with bigger and better opponents. Talk of that rematch with Khan will likely never go away until Khan accepts the challenge!