by Chip Mitchell: World No. 4 ranked (No. 1 WBC) Henry “Hammerin Hank” Lundy, (22-1-1, 11 KOs) takes on Mexican native Raymundo “Sugar” Beltran, (25-6, 17 KOs) in the on Friday Night Fights main event. The NABF lightweight title is at stake in this one. However, Lundy has bigger things in mind and can’t afford any slip-ups.
“I know what I’m fighting for,” says Lundy. I’ve got this fire burning inside of me. I’m going to be great. I’m destined to be great. No one is going to put that fire out.”
Also featured in a super middleweight bout is another one of those Jersey/Philly match-ups. Philadelphia’s Farrah Ennis, on a two-fight winning streak since being upset by Alexander Johnson, looks to stay on track versus Paterson, New Jersey native Richard Pierson. Ennis (19-1, 12 KOs) will be taking on an opponent who has stopped four of his past five opponents.
‘Hammerin Hank’
‘Hank’ Lundy, in true Philly fashion, is never at a loss for words. He talks a big fight and almost always backs it up with the same. Fans can go online to research months of verbal jousting between Lundy and “Dangerous” Dannie Williams prior to their encounter in March of this year. In response to Dannie saying that he’d hurt him, Lundy retorted, “You can’t scare me. You can’t derail me, because I fight for a living. I’m going to hurt this boy. There’s an old saying that goes, ‘Your arms are too short to box with God.’ I’m not God, but in the ring I’m the closest thing to it.”
As stated earlier, Henry knows what’s at stake in this fight. Win and he’s in line for a shot at the Antonio DeMarco’s, Miguel Vazquez’s and Ricky Burns’s of the world.
Lundy has been in with the likes of Dannie Williams (W10), David Diaz (KO6), Richard Abril (W10), and John Molina (TKO’d by 11). That’s not a bad resume in preparations for a world title shot. He’ll make his seventh appearance on Friday Night Fights and this one has the most at stake.
‘Sugar Beltran’
What more can I say? ‘Sugar’ is 9-3 in his last twelve fights. H has stopped ALL nine of his opponents in those victories. Beltran has gone the distance in his last two losses against undefeated Luis Ramos, Jr (22-0) and undefeated and highly touted Sharif Bogere (23-0).
If ‘Sugar’ can somehow pull off the upset here, it will not only allow him to potentially leapfrog into the Top 10, but it will spoil Lundy’s plans for a title shot in his next outing. “I want to make a name myself,” Beltran is quoted as saying. “If I win, everything will change.”
Beltran has come close before, only to fall short on the scorecards. At age 31 come fight night, he understands this could be his best chance to claim the NABF title, which could lead to a World title shot.
Prediction
Hank Lundy is taking a risk that many before him have attempted. Many have failed. While Raymundo Beltran may seem like a come-forward fighter who is tailor-made for Lundy, you have to look at the pattern.
Lundy does come forward and he’s a bit slow. However, he’s just as much a pressure fighter that has no problem stalking and opponent round after round until he catches you and turns your lights out.
The key in this fight is patience. Whose patience is going to wear out the soonest? Will Beltran remain content to catch shots round after round until he reaches pay dirt? Will Lundy be satisfied with taking his time and earning an ugly a win at the expense of looking good before a decapitation takes place?
It’s hard to imagine Lundy knocking out Beltran when a puncher like Bogere wasn’t able to accomplish that feat. Along the same lines, I can’t see Lundy totally out-boxing Beltran without walking through a little bit of fire.
In the end, I see Lundy winning a decision in which he gets pushed a bit by Beltran. On paper, many feel it will be an easy win for Lundy. However, I can’t help but think that one eye will be on Raymundo and one eye will be on the reward that awaits him if he is declared the winner. Consequently, I think Raymundo gives him some good work and good rounds, but once again will fall short. Lundy – 10 Round UD.