By James Slater: Upset at the way the judges scored his recent 12-round battle with Ireland’s Paul McCloskey, Colombia’s Breidis Prescott will make a quick return to the ring. Dan Rafael of ESPN.com has reported how the hard-hitting contender with the 24-3(19) pro record will face unbeaten Mike Alvarado, 31-0(22) on the under-card of the third fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez on November 12th in Las Vegas.
“Top Rank made the offer and we’ve accepted it,” Leon Margules, Prescott’s co-promoter told ESPN.com. “We like the fight. Alvarado comes to you, Prescott comes to you, so style-wise it’s a good fight, and both guys can bang. We like our chances. The only guys Breidis has had problems with are guys who have moved on him.”
Many fans, and a number of notable experts, felt Prescott deserved the nod in the McCloskey fight back on September 10th, and now the man famous for knocking Amir Khan flat has another shot at climbing the 140-pound ratings. The McCloskey fight was a fair old battle, however, and it remains to be seen if the hard scrap took a lot out of the 28-year-old. Also, Margules spoke of the way Alvarado “comes to you” and how his fighter has only had trouble with movers. Will Alvarado, who can box, look to switch tactics on November 12th?
It’s a risky fight for both men, and the fans should be treated to a lively under-card bout whilst waiting for the third and (likely) final go between Pac-Man and “Dinamita.”
31-year-old Alvarado, a Mexican/American from Colorado, has been in with some recognisable names already, beating all manner of styles in doing so. A pro since 2004, “Mile High” has picked up good wins over the likes of Emmanuel Clottey (KO10), Ray Narh (WRTD3) and, last time out, back in July, Gabriel Martinez (WU10). Winning the IBF Latino belt in his last fight, Alvarado once again showed his exciting style. The unbeaten 31-year-old also had a fine amateur career, picking up a notable win over top name Andre Dirrell in the unpaid ranks. The Prescott fight looks like Alvarado’s biggest test thus far, though.
Never stopped in his exciting, up and down career, Prescott has shown a good chin to go with his hurtful punching power. Alvarado is a typical Latin tough guy, however, and this one just might be a barnburner. Prescott will have advantages in height and reach, whereas Alvarado may be the fresher, less worn fighter (even though he is three years the older man). A distance fight looks a good bet from where I’m sitting.
A 50-50 fight on paper, this one really could go either way.