Tag: kiko martinez

FIGHT WEEK

TERENCE CRAWFORD FACES THE BIGGEST TEST OF HIS CAREER IN SHAWN CRAWORD SATURDAY ON PAY-PER-VIEW. ALSO, DEMETRIUS ANDRADE TAKES ON JASON QUIGLEY.

TERENCE CRAWFORD (37-0, 28 KOs) VS. SHAWN PORTER (31-3-1, 17 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 20
• Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
• TV/Stream: ESPN+ Pay-per-view
• Division: Welterweight
• At stake: Crawford’s WBO title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: Crawford No. 1
• Odds: Crawford 5½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)

• Also on the card: Esquiva Falcao vs. Patrice Volny, middleweights; Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Hassan N’Dam, 10 rounds, middleweights; Isaac Dogboe vs. Christopher Diaz, featherweights

• Prediction: Crawford UD
• Background: Finally. This is the type of challenge Crawford has coveted for years, a true test of his unusual ability. The 34-year-old Nebraskan has dazzled fans en route to winning major titles in three divisions and climbing to the pinnacle of the sport. However, while he has beaten many capable opponents, it’s difficult to find a defining fight on his resume. He’s coming off a fourth-round knockout of Kell Brook almost exactly a year ago, his fourth successful defense of the title he won by stopping Jeff Horn in June 2018 and his eighth consecutive knockout. Porter, also 34, has been a top 147-pounder for a decade. The swarming fighter from Akron, Ohio, is a two-time titleholder with some big victories, including decisions over Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas. He lost to Brook, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr. The Spence fight, a split decision setback, was close. Porter rebounded from that loss to shut out overmatched Sebastian Formella in August of last year, his most-recent fight. He will have been out of the ring for 15 months.

 

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (30-0, 18 KOs) VS. JASON QUIGLEY (19-1, 14 KOs)

• When: Friday, Nov. 19
• Where: SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
• TV/Stream: DAZN
• Division: Middleweight
• At stake: Andrade’s WBO title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Andrade 10½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
• Also on the card: Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Kali Reis vs. Jessica Camara, junior welterweights (for Reis’ WBA and vacant WBO titles)
• Prediction: Andrade KO 8
• Background: One could debate whether Andrade is one of the most-avoided boxers, which is a common notion. The fact is the two-division titleholder has faced a long list of solid, but second-tier opponents, the one possible exception being Vanes Martirosyan back in 2013. He last fought in April, when he easily outpointed Liam Williams in his fourth title defense. Many observers believe the 33-year-old southpaw could give anyone problems with his athleticism and awkward style but we’d have to see him against a next-level opponent to know for sure. Quigley isn’t that type of opponent. The 30-year-old Irishman had a vast and successful amateur career, which gave him a solid fundamental foundation. This is his chance to do something special in the paid ranks. He has won three consecutive fights since he was stopped after nine rounds by Tureano Johnson in July 2019, including a majority decision over solid, but limited Shane Mosley Jr. this past May. Andrade is a significant step up in opposition for Quigley. Hence the long odds he faces in the fight. The card is solid when you factor in the three world title fights below Andrade-Quigley.

 

Also fighting this week: Junior middleweight contender Tim Tszyu (19-0, 15 KOs) will face Takeshi Inoue (17-1-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 12-rounder Wednesday in Sydney (no TV in U.S.). And, on Saturday in Mescalero, Mexico, Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera will take on Daniel Ponce de Leon in a six-round junior middleweight exhibition (FITE).

FIGHT WEEK

TERENCE CRAWFORD FACES THE BIGGEST TEST OF HIS CAREER IN SHAWN CRAWORD SATURDAY ON PAY-PER-VIEW. ALSO, DEMETRIUS ANDRADE TAKES ON JASON QUIGLEY.

TERENCE CRAWFORD (37-0, 28 KOs) VS. SHAWN PORTER (31-3-1, 17 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 20
• Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
• TV/Stream: ESPN+ Pay-per-view
• Division: Welterweight
• At stake: Crawford’s WBO title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: Crawford No. 1
• Odds: Crawford 5½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)

• Also on the card: Esquiva Falcao vs. Patrice Volny, middleweights; Janibek Alimkhanuly vs. Hassan N’Dam, 10 rounds, middleweights; Isaac Dogboe vs. Christopher Diaz, featherweights

• Prediction: Crawford UD
• Background: Finally. This is the type of challenge Crawford has coveted for years, a true test of his unusual ability. The 34-year-old Nebraskan has dazzled fans en route to winning major titles in three divisions and climbing to the pinnacle of the sport. However, while he has beaten many capable opponents, it’s difficult to find a defining fight on his resume. He’s coming off a fourth-round knockout of Kell Brook almost exactly a year ago, his fourth successful defense of the title he won by stopping Jeff Horn in June 2018 and his eighth consecutive knockout. Porter, also 34, has been a top 147-pounder for a decade. The swarming fighter from Akron, Ohio, is a two-time titleholder with some big victories, including decisions over Danny Garcia and Yordenis Ugas. He lost to Brook, Keith Thurman and Errol Spence Jr. The Spence fight, a split decision setback, was close. Porter rebounded from that loss to shut out overmatched Sebastian Formella in August of last year, his most-recent fight. He will have been out of the ring for 15 months.

 

DEMETRIUS ANDRADE (30-0, 18 KOs) VS. JASON QUIGLEY (19-1, 14 KOs)

• When: Friday, Nov. 19
• Where: SNHU Arena, Manchester, New Hampshire
• TV/Stream: DAZN
• Division: Middleweight
• At stake: Andrade’s WBO title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Andrade 10½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
• Also on the card: Murodjon Akhmadaliev vs. Ronny Rios, junior featherweights (for Akhmadaliev’s IBF and WBA titles); Julio Cesar Martinez vs. McWilliams Arroyo, flyweights (for Martinez’s WBC title); Kali Reis vs. Jessica Camara, junior welterweights (for Reis’ WBA and vacant WBO titles)
• Prediction: Andrade KO 8
• Background: One could debate whether Andrade is one of the most-avoided boxers, which is a common notion. The fact is the two-division titleholder has faced a long list of solid, but second-tier opponents, the one possible exception being Vanes Martirosyan back in 2013. He last fought in April, when he easily outpointed Liam Williams in his fourth title defense. Many observers believe the 33-year-old southpaw could give anyone problems with his athleticism and awkward style but we’d have to see him against a next-level opponent to know for sure. Quigley isn’t that type of opponent. The 30-year-old Irishman had a vast and successful amateur career, which gave him a solid fundamental foundation. This is his chance to do something special in the paid ranks. He has won three consecutive fights since he was stopped after nine rounds by Tureano Johnson in July 2019, including a majority decision over solid, but limited Shane Mosley Jr. this past May. Andrade is a significant step up in opposition for Quigley. Hence the long odds he faces in the fight. The card is solid when you factor in the three world title fights below Andrade-Quigley.

 

Also fighting this week: Junior middleweight contender Tim Tszyu (19-0, 15 KOs) will face Takeshi Inoue (17-1-1, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 12-rounder Wednesday in Sydney (no TV in U.S.). And, on Saturday in Mescalero, Mexico, Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera will take on Daniel Ponce de Leon in a six-round junior middleweight exhibition (FITE).

FIGHT WEEK

JAIME MUNGUIA WILL FACE GABRIEL ROSADO SATURDAY AS HE CONTINUES HIS PURSUIT OF A MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE SHOT. ON THE SAME NIGHT, DAVID BENAVIDEZ RETURNS AGAINST KYRONE DAVIS.

***

JAIME MUNGUIA (37-0, 30 KOs) VS. GABRIEL ROSADO (26-13-1, 15 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 13
• Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
• TV/Stream: DAZN
• Division: Middleweight
• At stake: No titles
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Munguia 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
• Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Jeovanis Barraza, welterweights; D’Mitrus Ballard vs. Paul Valenzuela Jr., middleweights; William Zepeda vs. John Moralde, lightweights; Arley Muncino vs. Jackie Calvo, flyweights
• Prediction: Munguia KO 10
• Background: Munguia, a former 154-pound titleholder, will be fighting at 160 for the fourth time as the slugging Mexican pursues a shot at another major belt. He has stopped four consecutive opponents since a majority decision over Dennis Hogan in April 2019, including a sixth-round stoppage of Kamil Szeremeta this past June. Munguia is ranked No. 1 by both the WBC (Jermall Charlo is champion) and WBO (Demetrius Andrade), which means an opportunity to become a two-division beltholder should be on the horizon if he continues to win. Rosado, a tough, but limited boxer-puncher, has fallen short against his best opponents but he stunned the boxing world by rising from a knockdown to stop unbeaten prospect Bektemir Melikuziev in three rounds on the Munguia-Szeremeta card. That victory helped him land in the main event on a significant card. Rosado is a significant underdog for a reason – Munguia is a better all-around fighter – but the Philadelphian always comes to fight, which gives him a chance to have his hand raised. He’s coming back down to 160 after three fights at 168,

 

DAVID BENAVIDEZ (24-0, 21 KOs) VS. KYRONE DAVIS (16-2-1, 6 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 13
• Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
• TV/Stream: Showtime
• Division: Super middleweight
• At stake: No titles
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: NA

• Also on the card: Jose Benavidez Jr. vs. Francisco Emanuel Torres, junior middleweights

• Prediction: Benavidez KO 7
• Background: Benavidez was supposed to have fought rugged Jose Uzcategui in front of his hometown fans but the Venezuelan was pulled from the card after allegedly testing positive for a banned substance. Davis stepped in two weeks before the fight. Benavidez saw his second reign as a 168-pound titleholder end on the scale before his meeting with Roamer Alexis Angulo in August of last year, a fight he won by 10^th-round stoppage. He followed that with an 11^th-round knockout of Ronald Ellis in March, his fourth consecutive stoppage. He is a candidate to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed championship next May if he can win on Saturday. Davis, once an amateur standout, is a good boxer with limited punching power. The Delawarean enhanced his reputation by drawing with former two-time super middleweight titleholder Anthony Dirrell this past February, which made him a credible potential opponent for the top 168-pounders. He followed up with a unanimous eight-round decision over Martez McGregor in September, a fight in which Davis struggled.

 

KID GALAHAD (28-1, 17 KOs) VS. KIKO MARTINEZ (42-10-2, 29 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 13
• Where: Utilita Arena Sheffield, Sheffield, England
• TV/Stream: DAZN
• Division: Featherweight
• At stake: Galahad’s IBF title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Galahad 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)

• Also on the card: Terri Harper vs. Alycia Baumgardner, junior lightweights (for Harper’s WBC title); Chris Billam-Smith vs. Dylan Bregeon, cruiserweights; James Flint vs. Dom Hunt, junior welterweights

• Prediction: Galahad UD
• Background: Galahad came close to winning his first world title when he lost a split decision to then-IBF 126-pound titleholder Josh Warrington in June 2019. Two years later, this past August, he stopped Jazza Dickens in 11 rounds to capture the same title (which Warrington had vacated). Galahad, whose real name is Abdul Bari Awad, was born in Qatar but grew up in Sheffield. The 31-year-old was out of boxing for about a year and half, between 2014 and 2016, as the result of a doping suspension. Martinez has remarkable staying power. The 35-year-old Spaniard, a 122-pound beltholder in 2013-14, has been fighting on an elite level for more than a decade. He received this title shot in part because of his strong performance against 130-pound contender Zelfa Barrett in February. Barrett was awarded a unanimous decision but many believe Martinez deserved the nod. He followed that disappointment with a wide decision over Jayro Duran in September. Martinez is 3-4 in world title fights.

Also fighting this weekend: Thomas Patrick Ward (30-0-1, 4 KOs) of England faces fellow featherweight contender Leonardo Padilla (20-3, 14 KOs) of Venezuela in a scheduled 10-rounder in Houghton-le-Spring, England (ESPN+).

[lawrence-related id=25767,25604,25171,21247]

FIGHT WEEK

JAIME MUNGUIA WILL FACE GABRIEL ROSADO SATURDAY AS HE CONTINUES HIS PURSUIT OF A MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE SHOT. ON THE SAME NIGHT, DAVID BENAVIDEZ RETURNS AGAINST KYRONE DAVIS.

***

JAIME MUNGUIA (37-0, 30 KOs) VS. GABRIEL ROSADO (26-13-1, 15 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 13
• Where: Honda Center, Anaheim, California
• TV/Stream: DAZN
• Division: Middleweight
• At stake: No titles
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Munguia 7½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
• Also on the card: Alexis Rocha vs. Jeovanis Barraza, welterweights; D’Mitrus Ballard vs. Paul Valenzuela Jr., middleweights; William Zepeda vs. John Moralde, lightweights; Arley Muncino vs. Jackie Calvo, flyweights
• Prediction: Munguia KO 10
• Background: Munguia, a former 154-pound titleholder, will be fighting at 160 for the fourth time as the slugging Mexican pursues a shot at another major belt. He has stopped four consecutive opponents since a majority decision over Dennis Hogan in April 2019, including a sixth-round stoppage of Kamil Szeremeta this past June. Munguia is ranked No. 1 by both the WBC (Jermall Charlo is champion) and WBO (Demetrius Andrade), which means an opportunity to become a two-division beltholder should be on the horizon if he continues to win. Rosado, a tough, but limited boxer-puncher, has fallen short against his best opponents but he stunned the boxing world by rising from a knockdown to stop unbeaten prospect Bektemir Melikuziev in three rounds on the Munguia-Szeremeta card. That victory helped him land in the main event on a significant card. Rosado is a significant underdog for a reason – Munguia is a better all-around fighter – but the Philadelphian always comes to fight, which gives him a chance to have his hand raised. He’s coming back down to 160 after three fights at 168,

 

DAVID BENAVIDEZ (24-0, 21 KOs) VS. KYRONE DAVIS (16-2-1, 6 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 13
• Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
• TV/Stream: Showtime
• Division: Super middleweight
• At stake: No titles
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: NA

• Also on the card: Jose Benavidez Jr. vs. Francisco Emanuel Torres, junior middleweights

• Prediction: Benavidez KO 7
• Background: Benavidez was supposed to have fought rugged Jose Uzcategui in front of his hometown fans but the Venezuelan was pulled from the card after allegedly testing positive for a banned substance. Davis stepped in two weeks before the fight. Benavidez saw his second reign as a 168-pound titleholder end on the scale before his meeting with Roamer Alexis Angulo in August of last year, a fight he won by 10^th-round stoppage. He followed that with an 11^th-round knockout of Ronald Ellis in March, his fourth consecutive stoppage. He is a candidate to challenge Canelo Alvarez for the undisputed championship next May if he can win on Saturday. Davis, once an amateur standout, is a good boxer with limited punching power. The Delawarean enhanced his reputation by drawing with former two-time super middleweight titleholder Anthony Dirrell this past February, which made him a credible potential opponent for the top 168-pounders. He followed up with a unanimous eight-round decision over Martez McGregor in September, a fight in which Davis struggled.

 

KID GALAHAD (28-1, 17 KOs) VS. KIKO MARTINEZ (42-10-2, 29 KOs)

• When: Saturday, Nov. 13
• Where: Utilita Arena Sheffield, Sheffield, England
• TV/Stream: DAZN
• Division: Featherweight
• At stake: Galahad’s IBF title
• Pound-for-pound ranking: None
• Odds: Galahad 10-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)

• Also on the card: Terri Harper vs. Alycia Baumgardner, junior lightweights (for Harper’s WBC title); Chris Billam-Smith vs. Dylan Bregeon, cruiserweights; James Flint vs. Dom Hunt, junior welterweights

• Prediction: Galahad UD
• Background: Galahad came close to winning his first world title when he lost a split decision to then-IBF 126-pound titleholder Josh Warrington in June 2019. Two years later, this past August, he stopped Jazza Dickens in 11 rounds to capture the same title (which Warrington had vacated). Galahad, whose real name is Abdul Bari Awad, was born in Qatar but grew up in Sheffield. The 31-year-old was out of boxing for about a year and half, between 2014 and 2016, as the result of a doping suspension. Martinez has remarkable staying power. The 35-year-old Spaniard, a 122-pound beltholder in 2013-14, has been fighting on an elite level for more than a decade. He received this title shot in part because of his strong performance against 130-pound contender Zelfa Barrett in February. Barrett was awarded a unanimous decision but many believe Martinez deserved the nod. He followed that disappointment with a wide decision over Jayro Duran in September. Martinez is 3-4 in world title fights.

Also fighting this weekend: Thomas Patrick Ward (30-0-1, 4 KOs) of England faces fellow featherweight contender Leonardo Padilla (20-3, 14 KOs) of Venezuela in a scheduled 10-rounder in Houghton-le-Spring, England (ESPN+).

[lawrence-related id=25767,25604,25171,21247]