Tag: Miguel Berchelt

Fight Week: Miguel Berchelt vs. Oscar Valdez, Adrien Broner’s return

Fight Week: Miguel Berchelt vs. Oscar Valdez and Adrien Broner’s return highlight a busy weekend.

FIGHT WEEK

Miguel Berchelt vs. Oscar Valdez and the return of Adrian Broner highlight another busy weekend of boxing

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JANELSON FIGUEROA BOCACHICA (16-0, 11 KOs) VS.
MARK REYES JR. (14-0, 12 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7JnwNWwdBU

  • When: Wednesday, Feb. 17
  • Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn
  • TV/Stream: Showtime (ShoBox: The Next Generation)
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: Vladimir Shishkin vs. Sena Agbeko, super middleweights; Alejandro Guerrero vs. Abraham Montoya, lightweights; Timur Ferefov vs. Argenis Espana, middleweights
  • Prediction: Bocachica KO 8
  • Background: Bocachica and Reyes are legitimate 147-pound prospects. The former might be best known for having knocked down Teofimo Lopez in sparring a few years ago (see video) but the 22-year-old boxer-puncher from Detroit seems to be a complete fighter. He last fought this past October, when he stopped Nicklaus Flaz in the first round. That was Bocachica’s ShoBox debut. Reyes, a 24-year-old from Tampa, Fla., is building a reputation as power puncher. He has stopped 12 of his 14 opponents, including his last nine. He’s coming off a 47-second knockout of Diego Vicente Perez in November. Both Bocachica and Reyes are fighting in their first scheduled 10-rounder.

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SEAN MCCOMB (11-0, 5 KOs)
VS. GAVIN GWYNNE (12-2, 2 KOS)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zW5EBJvGaUA

  • When: Friday, Feb. 19
  • Where: Bolton, England
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
  • At stake: Vacant Commonwealth title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: NA
  • Also on the card: DP Carr vs. Dean Dodge, junior lightweights; Darren Tetley vs. Samuel Antwi, welterweight
  • Prediction: McComb UD
  • Background: McComb, a 28-year-old southpaw, is one of the top young fighters from Belfast, Northern Ireland. He isn’t particularly powerful but he has demonstrated consistently against second-tier opposition that he’s good boxer. He’s coming off a unanimous-decision victory over Siar Ozgul this past August, which was the second scheduled 10-rounder of his career. Gwynne, a 30-year-old Welshman, had been a good prospect but ran into problems in 2019 and last year. He has lost two of his past three bouts, both setbacks coming in British title fights. Joe Cordina outpointed him in August 2019 and James Tennyson stopped him in six rounds a year later. McComb hopes to build on his momentum; Gwynne is fighting to remain relevant.

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MIGUEL BERCHELT (37-1, 33 KOs)
VS. OSCAR VALDEZ (28-0, 22 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPNLEZCyUeo

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 20
  • Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
  • TV/Stream: ESPN
  • Division: Junior lightweight (130 pounds)
  • At stake: Berchelt’s WBC title
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: Berchelt, Honorable Mention
  • Odds: Berchelt 3-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Gabriel Flores Jr. vs. Jayson Velez, junior lightweights
  • Prediction: Berchelt KO 10
  • Background: The Mexicans were scheduled to meet in December but the bout was postponed after Berchelt tested positive for COVID-19. Berchelt will be making the seventh defense of the belt he won by stopping Francisco Vargas in the 11th round of a classic brawl in January 2017. The 29-year-old, a terrific boxer who can also end any fight in an instant, has stopped his past five official opponents. He was last in the ring this past June, when he knocked out Eleazar Valenzuela in six rounds in Mexico City. However, the fight wasn’t sanctioned as a result of coronavirus restrictions. Thus, the result is not recognized. Valdez, a 30-year-old who lives in the Los Angeles area, is a former 126-pound beltholder who will be fighting for a 130-pound title for the first time. He’s coming off a solid performance against Jayson Velez this past July, putting the Puerto Rican veteran down three times and stopping him in the 10th and final round. That was his second fight at 130 pounds. Valdez has been training alongside Canelo Alvarez in the camp of Eddy Reyenoso.

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ADRIEN BRONER (33-4-1, 24 KOs)
VS. JOVANIE SANTIAGO (14-0-1, 10 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gM9zTdzI98k

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 20
  • Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
  • TV/Stream: Showtime
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Broner 14-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Robert Easter vs. Ryan Martin, junior welterweights; Otto Wallin vs. Dominic Breazeale, heavyweights
  • Prediction: Broner KO 7
  • Background: Broner garners the attention of a elite athlete but the truth is he hasn’t had success for years. The four-division titleholder hasn’t won a fight since he narrowly outpointed Adrian Granados in February 2017, four years ago. He is 0-2-1 since then, although the losses came against Mikey Garcia (140 pounds) in July 2017 and Manny Pacquiao (147) in January of 2019. He drew with Jessie Vargas between those setbacks. The good news for Broner is that he’s only 31. And he will be fighting Santiago at 140 pounds, at which he won’t be giving away size and strength advantages. Broner will have been out of the ring since the Pacquiao fight, which was more than two years ago. Santiago is a 31-year-old unknown from Puerto Rico. He has a gaudy record but has faced no one of note. His highest-profile victory might’ve been a decision over a faded DeMarcus Corley in 2017. He has won 12 consecutive fights since a draw in his third outing. On the undercard, heavyweights Otto Wallin and Dominic Breazeale hope to position themselves for a title shot. Wallin (21-1, 14 KOs) bounced back from his loss to titleholder Tyson Fury by stopping Travis Kauffman in August. Breazeale (20-2, 18 KOs) is coming off a first-round knockout loss against then-champion Deontay Wilder in May 2019. The Los Angeles-area fighter  has failed in two attempts to win a major title.

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DAVID AVANESYAN (26-3-1, 14 KOs)
VS. JOSH KELLY (10-0-1, 6 KOs)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQXyDHoQpyw

  • When: Saturday, Feb. 20
  • Where: SSE Arena, London
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Welterweight (147 pounds)
  • At stake: No titles
  • Pound-for-pound ranking: None
  • Odds: Kelly 1½-1 favorite
  • Also on the card: Anthony Fowler vs. Jorge Fortea, junior middleweights; Amy Timlin vs. Carly Skelly, junior featherweights; Florian Marku vs. Rylan Charlton, welterweights
  • Prediction: Kelly SD
  • Background: Avanesyan, a 32-year-old Armenian-Russian based in the U.K., hopes to bolster his position as a title contender. The pressure fighter is the European welterweight beltholder and is ranked in the Top 10 of all four major sanctioning bodies. He lost to Lamont Peterson and Egidijus Kavaliauskas in a span of three fights in 2017 and 2018 but has scored three consecutive knockouts since, the last against Jose del Rio in December 2019. Kelly, a 26-year-old from England, is at a crossroads. He was a rising prospect until he drew with Ray Robinson in June 2019, a fight many believe the American deserved to win. The 2016 Olympian must prove against Avanesyan that he can compete at a high level if he hopes to contend for a world title one day.

Shakur Stevenson overwhelms, shuts out Toka Kahn Clary

Junior lightweight contender Shakur Stevenson defeated overmatched Toka Kahn Clary by a shutout decision Saturday in Las Vegas.

Shakur Stevenson got in his work. Now it’s time for the big names at 130 pounds.

The former 126-pound titleholder outclassed Toka Kahn Clary to win a shutout decision in a 10-round fight Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, making him 2-0 in his second weight class.

Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs) had his way with Clary, outboxing him, outworking him and landing the bigger, cleaner shots. His body shots were brutal. He also was an elusive target, as Clary (28-3, 19 KOs) landed only 9% of his punches, according to CompuBox.

Clary, a tough veteran, realized fairly early that he was in over his head and went into survival mode. He became more concerned with protecting himself than landing punches, which might’ve prevented Stevenson from stopping him.

As it was, Stevenson easily won every round. All three judges scored it 100-90, as did Boxing Junkie.

It was more of a showcase — a workout? — for the gifted Stevenson than it was a competitive fight.

Shakur Stevenson celebrates with his team after his victory. Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

“He got a lot of experience,” Stevenson said of Clary. “He been around for a long time. I know him from since back in the amateurs. He know how to survive, he came in there to survive, and that’s what he did.”

Stevenson, ranked No. 1 by the WBO and No. 2 by the WBC, made it clear who he’d like to face next year.

WBO 130-pound titleholder Jamel Herring is expected to defend against Carl Frampton next month or in February. Also, WBC champion Miguel Berchelt, who has recovered from the coronavirus, is expected to defend against Oscar Valdez.

Stevenson wants the winner of the Herring-Frampton fight. Then, with the WBO belt in tow, he wants to unify against the Berchelt-Valdez winner. In other words, he plans to clear out the division

“I want the WBO belt first,” he said. “The winner of out of Frampton and Jamel have to come see me. And after that we’re going to go straight for Berchelt.”

Stevenson demonstrated once again on Saturday that he has the ability to pull it off.

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Shakur Stevenson overwhelms, shuts out Toka Kahn Clary

Junior lightweight contender Shakur Stevenson defeated overmatched Toka Kahn Clary by a shutout decision Saturday in Las Vegas.

Shakur Stevenson got in his work. Now it’s time for the big names at 130 pounds.

The former 126-pound titleholder outclassed Toka Kahn Clary to win a shutout decision in a 10-round fight Saturday inside the MGM Grand “bubble” in Las Vegas, making him 2-0 in his second weight class.

Stevenson (15-0, 8 KOs) had his way with Clary, outboxing him, outworking him and landing the bigger, cleaner shots. His body shots were brutal. He also was an elusive target, as Clary (28-3, 19 KOs) landed only 9% of his punches, according to CompuBox.

Clary, a tough veteran, realized fairly early that he was in over his head and went into survival mode. He became more concerned with protecting himself than landing punches, which might’ve prevented Stevenson from stopping him.

As it was, Stevenson easily won every round. All three judges scored it 100-90, as did Boxing Junkie.

It was more of a showcase — a workout? — for the gifted Stevenson than it was a competitive fight.

Shakur Stevenson celebrates with his team after his victory. Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

“He got a lot of experience,” Stevenson said of Clary. “He been around for a long time. I know him from since back in the amateurs. He know how to survive, he came in there to survive, and that’s what he did.”

Stevenson, ranked No. 1 by the WBO and No. 2 by the WBC, made it clear who he’d like to face next year.

WBO 130-pound titleholder Jamel Herring is expected to defend against Carl Frampton next month or in February. Also, WBC champion Miguel Berchelt, who has recovered from the coronavirus, is expected to defend against Oscar Valdez.

Stevenson wants the winner of the Herring-Frampton fight. Then, with the WBO belt in tow, he wants to unify against the Berchelt-Valdez winner. In other words, he plans to clear out the division

“I want the WBO belt first,” he said. “The winner of out of Frampton and Jamel have to come see me. And after that we’re going to go straight for Berchelt.”

Stevenson demonstrated once again on Saturday that he has the ability to pull it off.

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Oscar Valdez stops Jayson Velez but looks so-so in the process

Oscar Valdez stopped Jayson Velez in 10 rounds on Tuesday in Las Vegas to set up a title fight with Miguel Berchelt.

Miguel Berchelt is somewhere in Mexico licking his chops.

Oscar Valdez did what he was supposed to do against Jayson Velez on Tuesday inside the bubble at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, which was to defeat Velez to set up a showdown with Berchelt, a 130-pound titleholder.

The problem was the way Valdez did it. The former 126-pound champion struggled to take control of the fight much of the way, although he put together enough power shots to put Velez away with 37 seconds remaining the 10th and final round.

Valdez graded himself a 7 out of 10, which might’ve been generous to himself, but he gave an honest assessment of his performance.

“In boxing, you never stop learning,” said Valdez, whose trainer is Eddy Reynoso. “… I do feel I’m improving in the gym. I still have to prove it inside the ring. I give myself a seven. I wasn’t all that great due to the long period of time resting.

“I’m ready to go back to the gym and keep on working because I want to conquer my dream of becoming a WBC world titlist.”

Oscar Valdez (left) landed enough power shots to wear down Jayson Velez. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Valdez (28-0, 22 KOs) was coming off a seventh-round stoppage of late replacement Adam Lopez in his first fight at 130 pounds in November. Lopez put Valdez down and generally gave him a harder time than expected, which raised questions about him.

The native of Mexico probably didn’t answer them on Tuesday night. His strategy was to throw almost exclusively big punches while fighting defensively at the same time, which wasn’t particularly effective early in the fight.

Valdez landed a few good shots but Velez, a seasoned former title challenger from Puerto Rico, took the blows and worked hard to make the fight competitive. Velez was holding his own through four rounds.

Velez (29-7-1, 21 KOs) went down from a left hook in Round 5, which seemed to be a moment in which Valdez had finally taken charge. However, even after that setback, Velez continued to press forward and make Valdez’s life difficult.

Ultimately, Velez’s defense – or lack thereof – was his undoing. He was simply too easy to hit, which took a toll on him in the final round. Valdez put him down a second time with another left hook. Then, after he got to his feet, a right and a few more punches sent him to the canvas one more time and the fight was stopped.

Valdez (right) put Velez down three times, the final time for good. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

Valdez salvaged a so-so performance by becoming the first to knock out Velez and apparently clinch his title shot in the process. However, a meeting with Berchelt, one of the most-feared men in boxing, would seem to be a significant challenge for the man who had his hand raised Tuesday.

“I got a lot to learn, a lot to improve on,” Valdez said. “Berchelt is a great warrior, a great champion. I have a lot of respect him. But I’m hungry, hungry to become a world champion again. He has something everybody wants, the WBC title. That’s my aim right now.

“… I definitely want that fight. The fans want it. I think they’ll enjoy two Mexicans in the ring. There definitely is going to be fireworks.”

In preliminaries, junior welterweight prospect Elvis Rodriguez (8-0-1, 8 KOs) of the Dominican Republic stopped Dennis Okoth (4-4-1, 2 KOs) of Kenya with a paralyzing straight left to the jaw at 2:33 of the second round of a scheduled six-rounder.

Okoth fell flat on his back and was hurt so badly by the shot that referee Tony Weeks didn’t even bother to count.

And Kim Clavel (12-0, 2 KOs) of Montreal outworked Natalie Gonzalez (6-1, 1 KOs) of New Rochelle, New York, to win a shutout decision in a spirited eight-round flyweight bout. All three cards were 80-82.

Clavel won the 2020 Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPYs. She took time off from boxing to work as a nurse in elder care facilities, which have been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

Oscar Valdez to headline deep, interesting Top Rank card

The Top Rank card on Tuesday is long on number of fights (seven) and story lines.

The Top Rank card on Tuesday is long on number of fights (seven) and story lines.

Oscar Valdez faces Jayson Velez in a 10-round junior lightweight bout, Valdez’s second at 130 pounds, inside the MGM Grand bubble in Las Vegas. The former 126-pound titleholder struggled in his first junior lightweight before scoring a seventh-round knockout over Adam Lopez this past November.

Was Valdez’s performance an aberration or a sign that he might have problems at 130 and above?

Edgar Berlanga carries one of the most-eye catching streaks in the sport into his eight-round middleweight fight against Eric Moon (11-2, 6 KOs): The New York City slugger has stopped all 13 of his opponents in the first round.

Kim Clavel (11-0, 2 KOs), who faces Natalie Gonzalez (6-0, 1 KO) in an eight-round junior flyweight bout, won the Pat Tillman Award for Service at the ESPY Awards for dropping everything and caring for the elderly during the coronavirus pandemic.

And Issac Dogboe (20-2, 14 KOs) was a fast-rising star as recently as late 2018 but his momentum screeched to a halt as a result of back-to-back losses to Emanuel Navarrete in his two most-recent fights, the second by knockout.

Can he bounce back? The former 122-pound titleholder faces Chris Avalos (27-7, 20 KOs) in an eight-round 126-pound fight.

On top of that, two intriguing prospects are on the card. Heavyweight Guido Vianello, a 2016 Olympian from Italy, returns to the ring against Kingsley Ibeh in a six-round bout. Vianello has stopped all seven of his opponents. And Elvis Rodriguez (7-0-1, 7 KOs), who is trained by Freddie Roach, faces Dennis Okoth (4-3-1, 2 KOs) in a six-round junior welterweight fight.

Also, Raphael Igbokwe (14-2, 6 KOs) fights Genc Pllana (8-1-1, 4 KOs) in an eight-round super middleweight fight, a rematch of their fight in August. Igbokwe won a majority eight-round decision.

Valdez (27-0, 21 KOs) is the star of the show.

The Los Angeles-based native of Mexico was a 126-pound titleholder from 2016 to last year, when he moved up in weight. He made six consecutive defenses, thereby establishing himself as one of the more respected fighters in the business.

Valdez went down against the capable Lopez but rallied to take control. He now has his sights set on 130-pound titleholder Miguel Berchelt, who is on some pound-for-pound lists.

However, he first must get past Velez (29-6-1, 21 KOs). The Puerto Rican was once a hot prospect but lost four consecutive fights in 2015-16 and never reached the top tier of the sport. He is coming off a split-decision loss to Jaime Arboleda in February.

“Against Velez I will not be able to take that fight lightly,” Valdez told EFE. “He has several defeats, but that does not mean anything because he has lost against world champions like Ronny Ríos, Joseph Diaz and Rene Alvarado. … When you face such high quality opponents you can lose, but he is a great boxer.”

He went on: “I am anxious, it has been a long time since my last fight. It is a blessing to have the opportunity to get into the ring because with the pandemic not everyone can return to their sport. Boxing has already opened back up, and I have an opportunity to do what I like the most.

“A lot of people want to see my fight against Bertchelt, but right now I’m not thinking about it. I am focused on Velez. If I can hurt him at the beginning of the fight, I will look to finish him quickly. It would be the ideal not to wear myself out, although it will be a difficult fight

Video: Mannix, Mora: Who is the best at 130 pounds?

The gifted Shakur Stevenson has announced that he’s moving up to 130 pounds, making an already-deep division even deeper. Who’s the best of the lot? Stevenson, the now-former featherweight titleholder, brings an impressive pedigree and skill set to …

The gifted Shakur Stevenson has announced that he’s moving up to 130 pounds, making an already-deep division even deeper.

Who’s the best of the lot?

Stevenson, the now-former featherweight titleholder, brings an impressive pedigree and skill set to his new division. Battle-tested Miguel Berchelt can do it all, including hurt anyone he faces. Leo Santa Cruz is a proven commodity. Joseph Diaz Jr., Jamel Herring. Oscar Valdez. The long list goes on and on.

DAZN commentators Chris Mannix and Sergio Mora give their thoughts on the division and who the top talent is in this episode of Jabs with Mannix and Mora.

[jwplayer xzjL5J2j]

 

 

 

 

Miguel Berchelt batters overmatched foe until merciful end

Miguel Berchelt pounded overmatched Eleazar Valenzuela until the referee finally saved him in Round 6 in Mexico City.

The matchup between Miguel Berchelt and Eleazar Valenzuela at the TV Azteca Studios on Saturday night in Mexico City wasn’t really a fight. It was an experiment in how much punishment a man can take.

Turns out Valenzuela could take a lot, perhaps too much.

Berchelt, one of the best fighters in the world, used his countryman as a living, breathing heavy bag for five-plus rounds. The 130-pound titleholder, fighting at 135, landed hard, damaging shots to every spot on Valenzuela’s body allowed by the rules.

The shots to the stomach were particularly gruesome, though. Berchelt used perfect positioning and leverage to land punches to the gut that viewers at home could feel.

This was the story of the fight, Berchelt dishing out a disturbing amount of punishment and taking almost none in return. By the fourth round, the ESPN analysts said what a lot of people were thinking: This guys is taking too many punches.

Miguel Berchelt (left) had his way with brave, but overmatched Eleazar Valenzuela on Saturday in Mexico City. Photo / Zanfer Promotions

Some probably were thinking that this sort of fight might not end well.

Yet somehow, for five-plus rounds anyway, Valenzuela looked like the toughest guy in Mexico. He was knocked down by a left hook in the opening round but stood his ground from then until the end, taking, taking and taking but still trying to attack.

Alas, in Round 6, Berchelt (38-1, 34 KOs) landed a right-left combination that hurt Valenzuela and followed with another series of punches that prompted referee Cesar Castanon to jump between the fighters and end the slaughter at 1 minute, 13 seconds.

A sigh of relief could be heard reverberating across North America.

The CompuBox numbers underscore the one-sided nature of the fight … er, experiment. Berchelt outlanded Valenzuela 232 to 37. The winner landed more body shots (50) than the loser landed total punches.

The referee saved a badly beaten Valenzuela from further punishment in Round 6. Photo / Zanfer Promotions

And 201 of the punches Berchelt landed were power shots. He threw 321 of them, meaning he landed an eye-popping 63% of his power shots. Of course, those numbers aren’t official but Valenzuela (21-14-4, 16 KOs) wouldn’t dispute them.

Berchelt reportedly is eyeing a title defense against No. 1 contender Oscar Valdez. That, of course, would be an actual fight.

Among preliminaries on Saturday, junior welterweight prospect Omar Aguilar (18-0, 17 KOs) stopped Dante Jardon (32-7, 23 KOs) 55 seconds into their scheduled 10-round bout.

Aguilar had stunned Jardon with a short series of explosive punches when Castanon, also working this fight, ended the action. Some might suggest that the stoppage was premature. Go figure.

And 19-year-old prospect Alan Picasso (14-1, 5 KOs) defeated Florentino Hernandez (14-6-2, 9 KOs) by a unanimous decision in an eight-round junior featherweight bout. For some reason, Mexican officials used six judges, three on site and three remote. All the judges awarded Picasso a wide decision.

Oscar Valdez vs. Jayson Velez set for July 21 in Las Vegas

Oscar Valdez, the former featherweight titleholder, will face Jayson Velez in a junior lightweight bout on July 21 in Las Vegas

Oscar Valdez wants Miguel Berchelt. But he’ll have to get past veteran Jayson Velez first.

Valdez, the 29-year-old former featherweight titleholder from Mexico, will face Velez in a junior lightweight bout on July 21 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, his manager, Frank Espinoza, told ESPN.

“The fight is done, we’re excited about it,” Espinoza said. “Oscar is very happy to be back doing what he loves.”

Valdez (27-0, 21 KOs) successfully defended his 126-pound title six times before moving up to 130 for his last fight, in which last-minute replacement Adam Lopez dropped him in Round 2 before Valdez scored a seventh-round knockout.

Berchelt, a 130-pound titleholder, is considered one of the best fighters in the world. That’s the fight Valdez, the No. 1 contender, is targeting.

“That’s the fight we want next, that’s the one Oscar is aiming for,” Espinoza told ESPN. “We’re hoping that by the fall there can be crowds at fights, because we know how much fans are anticipating it.”

Velez (29-6-1, 21 KOs) was once a hot prospect. Now, at 32, the Puerto Rican is a wily veteran. He has generally given a good account of himself but has lost most of his biggest fights. He has never been stopped.

Four boxing cards planned for Mexico next month

Zanfer Promotions is planning to stage four boxing cards in Mexico next month, ESPN reported.

Zanfer Promotions is planning to stage four boxing cards in Mexico next month, ESPN reported.

Titleholders Miguel Berchelt, Emanuel Navarrete and Elwin Soto, as well as Luis Nery, are among those expected to get back in the ring. No spectators will attend the events and other precautions will be taken because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“We plan on doing it in June,” said Fernando Beltran of Zanfer. “We’ll have a really active schedule behind closed doors. We’re working on final details so that we can make a formal announcement.”

No opponents have been selected for the titleholders, who aren’t expected to defend their belts, according to ESPN. However, Zanfer has assigned fighters to particular dates. June 6, Navarrete and Pedro Campa; June 13, Omar Aguilar and Jackie Nava; June 20, Nery and Alan David Picasso; June 27, Berchelt and Soto.

A studio set of the Mexican TV network Azteca is one site being considered, ESPN reported.

“I think we’re all thirsty for Mexican talent and live fights,” Beltran said. “We’re going through with live fights, and I think we have the opportunity to do something huge. I will tell our fans that I’m a man dedicated to this sport I so love and more than anything dedicated to our fans who have provided us with so many moments of glory.”

Miguel Berchelt gives his thoughts on potential oponents

Junior lightweight champion Miguel Berchelt gives his thoughts on a number of prospective opponents.

Junior lightweight titleholder Miguel Berchelt was as hot as any fighter when the coronavirus pandemic took hold.

The 28-year-old Mexican won his 130-pound title by stopping Francisco Vargas in the 11th round of an entertaining brawl in 2017 and he has successfully defended six times against solid opposition, five times by knockout.

Berchelt (37-1, 33 KOs) will have many options when the sport is up and running again. He is focused on the No. 1 contender for his belt – Oscar Valdez – but a number of other fighters are possible opponents. Among them: Shakur Stevenson, Joseph Diaz Jr., Rene Alvarado, Jamel Herring, Vasiliy Lomachenko and Gervonta Davis.

Here are Berchelt’s thoughts on facing some of these rivals, courtesy of Top Rank:

Valdez, the No. 1 contender for his belt and a protégé of trainer Eddy Reynoso

“Yes, of course I believe Oscar is a great fighter. I respect him a lot, but now we must face each other. I think Eddy Reynoso has come to add a lot of good things to his corner. He has also done a good job with Canelo Alvarez and Ryan Garcia. Now he is doing it with Oscar Valdez. It’s an excellent team, but on my side, I’m the champion and I also have a great trainer in Alfredo Caballero. It will be a great fight between Mexican fighters and Mexican trainers.”

Could Valdez’s aggressive style work against him?

“No, I think they will have to come up with a good strategy. It’s worth noting that Oscar has already suffered an injury on his jaw. If I’m not mistaken, it happened in his fight against Scott Quigg. He broke his jaw. That’s why I believe they are going to try to fight a smart fight. He is also moving up in weight, and I don’t think he should be trading punches with me.”

Stevenson, a 126-pound titleholder

“He is also a great fighter. Shakur Stevenson is a former Olympian and trains alongside Terence Crawford. I believe he is a fighter with a lot of ability and is one of the best fighters that Top Rank has right now, but like I mentioned, we are waiting for the fight with Oscar. I think [Stevenson] is still campaigning at 126. But when he gets to 130, I would like to face him. I think he is a great fighter, and I believe the fans want to see ‘El Alacrán’ Berchelt against the best.”

Diaz, a 130-pound titleholder

“I would love to [fight him]. JoJo Diaz was recently crowned as IBF champion. Also, Jamel Herring and Rene Alvarado. There are some great champions in the division, but right now, all I have on my mind is to face Oscar, be victorious on this seventh title defense, and after that, whoever comes, comes for Miguel Berchelt.”

Lomachenko, 135-pound titleholder

“Right now, he is one of the top three pound-for-pound fighters in the world. I think he is only behind Canelo Alvarez. I would like to [fight him]. Right now, my focus is getting through this situation of the pandemic. Then I will begin training and returning to all activities so I can face Oscar Valdez. After that, we can talk moving up to 135 to face someone like Vasiliy Lomachenko. He is a fighter that I have always wanted to face, or Teofimo Lopez.”

Davis, 135-pound contender

“There are a lot of good fights to be made, but without a doubt, I would love to face Gervonta Davis. He is a very dangerous fighter and a lot of people would like to face him, but his promoter, Floyd Mayweather, protects him too much.”