Tag: Wendy Toussaint

Fight Week: Estrada, R. Gonazlez, Martinez on display in Mexico

A compelling tripleheader featuring Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez is on tap Friday night.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in capsules

***

JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA (40-3, 27 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CUADRAS (39-3-1, 27 KOs)

Juan Francisco Estrada (center) is still on top of his game and adding to his legacy. Dale de la Rey / AFP via Getty Images

When: Friday, Oct. 23
Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City
TV: DAZN
Division: Junior bantamweight
At stake: Estrada’s WBC title
Odds: Estrada 2½-1
Also on the card: Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonzalez, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights
Prediction: Estrada KO 11
Background: Estrada, No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, is one of the most-respected fighters in the world and at the peak of his powers at 30. He has won four consecutive fights since he was outpointed by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2018, including a unanimous-decision victory over Sor Rungvisai in the rematch in April of last year. He can box, he can punch, he can do it all. The Mexican has tangled with the athletic Cuadras before, winning a close unanimous decision that was decided by a 10th-round knockdown in 2017. Cuadras, also Mexican, has won three in a row against so-so opposition since losing back-to-back decisions to Estrada and then McWilliam Arroyo. The plan is for Estrada to meet Roman Gonzalez a second time in a title-unification bout, assuming he beats Cuadras and Gonzalez does the same against Israel Gonzalez on this card. Estrada lost a competitive fight with Gonzalez in 2012, when the Nicaraguan was at his peak.

***

ROMAN GONZALEZ (49-2, 41 KOs)
VS. ISRAEL GONZALEZ (25-3, 11 KOs)

Roman Gonzalez had made his Nicaraguan countrymen proud over the years. Al Bello / Getty Images

When: Friday, Oct. 23
Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City
TV: DAZN
Division: Junior bantamweight
At stake: Gonzalez’s WBA title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights
Prediction: R. Gonzalez KO 6
Background: Some believed Gonzalez, formerly No. 1 pound for pound, was finished as an elite fighter when he lost back-to-back fights against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai – the second by brutal knockout — in 2017. He knew better. The big-punching Nicaraguan stopped Moises Fuentes, Diomel Diocos and then-unbeaten titleholder Khalid Yafai to reestablish himself as a force in the 115-pound division even though he’s 33. He appears to be set to face Juan Francisco Estrada a second time in a title-unification bout if things go well for both fighters on this card. Israel Gonzalez, from Mexico, is a capable boxer who has come up short in his biggest fights. He was stopped in 10 rounds by Jerwin Ancajas in a 2018 title fight and losing a clear decision to Yafai later that year. He has won his past two fights, including a quality unanimous-decision victory over Sho Ishida this past December in Japan. The Los Cabos fighter is probably in over his head in this fight.

***

JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ (16-1, 12 KOs)
VS. MOISES CALLEROS (33-9-1, 17 KOs)

Julio Cesar Martinez (left) is emerging as an exciting young star. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing USA

When: Friday, Oct. 23
Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City
TV: DAZN
Division: Flyweight
At stake: Miranda’s WBC title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonazlez, junior bantamweights
Prediction: Martinez KO 4
Background: Martinez is both fun to watch and a talented boxer-puncher who is trained by Eddy Reynoso. The Mexico City product lost his pro debut – a four-round against Joaquin Cruz – but has won all 16 of his subsequent fights (not including one no-contest), including a ninth-round knockout of Cristofer Rosales to win the vacant 112-pound title this past December. He’s coming off a wide decision over previously unbeaten Welshman Jay Harris on Feb. 29 in Frisco, Texas. Martinez was scheduled to face Maximino Flores but Flores had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Calleros, 31, was stopped by Ryuya Yamanaka in a fight for a vacant strawweight title in 2018 but hasn’t fought at that level since moving up in weight. He has won five consecutive fights against second-tier opposition. Martinez represents a significant step up, which might not bode well for the challenger.

***

SERGEY LIPINETS (16-1, 12 KOs)
VS. CUSTIO CLAYTON (18-0, 12 KOs)

Sergey Lipinets is coming off a second-round knockout of Jayar Inson in July of last year. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports

When: Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime
Division: Welterweight
At stake: IBF “Interim” title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Xavier Martinez vs. Claudio Marrero, junior lightweights; Malik Hawkins vs. Subriel Matias, junior welterweights
Prediction: Lipinets UD
Background: Lipinets met his match against Mikey Garcia in 2018, losing a wide decision and his 140-pound title in 2018. The Los Angeles-based native of Kazakhstan then moved up to 147 and has won three in a row, over Erick Bone, Lamont Peterson and Jayar Inson to put himself in title contention at his new weight. He’ll be in prime position to challenge for the IBF title, currently held by Errol Spence Jr., if he wins Saturday. Lipinets is a solid boxer but known more for his pressure fighting and durability. He was scheduled to face Kudratillo Abdukakhorov but the Uzbek had to pull out because of visa issues. Clayton is a 2012 Olympian but largely unproven as a professional. The Montreal fighter has built a gaudy record fighting only in Canada against second-level opposition, including an eighth-round stoppage of Diego Ramirez on Jan. 28 in Toronto. He might be biting off more than he can chew in Lipinets. We’ll learn a lot about him on Saturday.

[lawrence-related id=14107,9585,6725,8548,6728]

Fight Week: Estrada, R. Gonazlez, Martinez on display in Mexico

A compelling tripleheader featuring Juan Francisco Estrada, Roman Gonzalez and Julio Cesar Martinez is on tap Friday night.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in capsules

***

JUAN FRANCISCO ESTRADA (40-3, 27 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CUADRAS (39-3-1, 27 KOs)

Juan Francisco Estrada (center) is still on top of his game and adding to his legacy. Dale de la Rey / AFP via Getty Images

When: Friday, Oct. 23
Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City
TV: DAZN
Division: Junior bantamweight
At stake: Estrada’s WBC title
Odds: Estrada 2½-1
Also on the card: Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonzalez, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights
Prediction: Estrada KO 11
Background: Estrada, No. 10 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, is one of the most-respected fighters in the world and at the peak of his powers at 30. He has won four consecutive fights since he was outpointed by Srisaket Sor Rungvisai in 2018, including a unanimous-decision victory over Sor Rungvisai in the rematch in April of last year. He can box, he can punch, he can do it all. The Mexican has tangled with the athletic Cuadras before, winning a close unanimous decision that was decided by a 10th-round knockdown in 2017. Cuadras, also Mexican, has won three in a row against so-so opposition since losing back-to-back decisions to Estrada and then McWilliam Arroyo. The plan is for Estrada to meet Roman Gonzalez a second time in a title-unification bout, assuming he beats Cuadras and Gonzalez does the same against Israel Gonzalez on this card. Estrada lost a competitive fight with Gonzalez in 2012, when the Nicaraguan was at his peak.

***

ROMAN GONZALEZ (49-2, 41 KOs)
VS. ISRAEL GONZALEZ (25-3, 11 KOs)

Roman Gonzalez had made his Nicaraguan countrymen proud over the years. Al Bello / Getty Images

When: Friday, Oct. 23
Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City
TV: DAZN
Division: Junior bantamweight
At stake: Gonzalez’s WBA title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Julio Cesar Martinez vs. Moises Calleros, flyweights
Prediction: R. Gonzalez KO 6
Background: Some believed Gonzalez, formerly No. 1 pound for pound, was finished as an elite fighter when he lost back-to-back fights against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai – the second by brutal knockout — in 2017. He knew better. The big-punching Nicaraguan stopped Moises Fuentes, Diomel Diocos and then-unbeaten titleholder Khalid Yafai to reestablish himself as a force in the 115-pound division even though he’s 33. He appears to be set to face Juan Francisco Estrada a second time in a title-unification bout if things go well for both fighters on this card. Israel Gonzalez, from Mexico, is a capable boxer who has come up short in his biggest fights. He was stopped in 10 rounds by Jerwin Ancajas in a 2018 title fight and losing a clear decision to Yafai later that year. He has won his past two fights, including a quality unanimous-decision victory over Sho Ishida this past December in Japan. The Los Cabos fighter is probably in over his head in this fight.

***

JULIO CESAR MARTINEZ (16-1, 12 KOs)
VS. MOISES CALLEROS (33-9-1, 17 KOs)

Julio Cesar Martinez (left) is emerging as an exciting young star. Ed Mulholland / Matchroom Boxing USA

When: Friday, Oct. 23
Where: Gimnasio TV Azteca, Mexico City
TV: DAZN
Division: Flyweight
At stake: Miranda’s WBC title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Carlos Cuadras, junior bantamweights; Roman Gonzalez vs. Israel Gonazlez, junior bantamweights
Prediction: Martinez KO 4
Background: Martinez is both fun to watch and a talented boxer-puncher who is trained by Eddy Reynoso. The Mexico City product lost his pro debut – a four-round against Joaquin Cruz – but has won all 16 of his subsequent fights (not including one no-contest), including a ninth-round knockout of Cristofer Rosales to win the vacant 112-pound title this past December. He’s coming off a wide decision over previously unbeaten Welshman Jay Harris on Feb. 29 in Frisco, Texas. Martinez was scheduled to face Maximino Flores but Flores had to pull out after testing positive for COVID-19. Calleros, 31, was stopped by Ryuya Yamanaka in a fight for a vacant strawweight title in 2018 but hasn’t fought at that level since moving up in weight. He has won five consecutive fights against second-tier opposition. Martinez represents a significant step up, which might not bode well for the challenger.

***

SERGEY LIPINETS (16-1, 12 KOs)
VS. CUSTIO CLAYTON (18-0, 12 KOs)

Sergey Lipinets is coming off a second-round knockout of Jayar Inson in July of last year. Joe Camporeale / USA TODAY Sports

When: Saturday, Oct. 24
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime
Division: Welterweight
At stake: IBF “Interim” title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Xavier Martinez vs. Claudio Marrero, junior lightweights; Malik Hawkins vs. Subriel Matias, junior welterweights
Prediction: Lipinets UD
Background: Lipinets met his match against Mikey Garcia in 2018, losing a wide decision and his 140-pound title in 2018. The Los Angeles-based native of Kazakhstan then moved up to 147 and has won three in a row, over Erick Bone, Lamont Peterson and Jayar Inson to put himself in title contention at his new weight. He’ll be in prime position to challenge for the IBF title, currently held by Errol Spence Jr., if he wins Saturday. Lipinets is a solid boxer but known more for his pressure fighting and durability. He was scheduled to face Kudratillo Abdukakhorov but the Uzbek had to pull out because of visa issues. Clayton is a 2012 Olympian but largely unproven as a professional. The Montreal fighter has built a gaudy record fighting only in Canada against second-level opposition, including an eighth-round stoppage of Diego Ramirez on Jan. 28 in Toronto. He might be biting off more than he can chew in Lipinets. We’ll learn a lot about him on Saturday.

[lawrence-related id=14107,9585,6725,8548,6728]

Charles Conwell stops Wendy Toussaint in ninth round

Charles Conwell stopped Wendy Toussaint with an uppercut that evidently broke his nose in the ninth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.

Charles Conwell capped a solid performance with a dramatic finish Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn.

The 2016 Olympian did enough to win rounds against Wendy Toussaint before ending the scheduled 10-round junior middleweight fight with a right uppercut that evidently broke Toussaint’s nose in the ninth.

The official time was 2:42.

Conwell (13-0, 10 KOs) was coming off a fourth-round stoppage of Ramses Agaton in February, his first fight since he delivered the punches that ended the life of Patrick Day in October of last year.

The fight on Wednesday followed a pattern. Neither Conwell nor Toussaint (12-1, 5 KOs) was particularly active, as they threw an average of about 35 and 33 punches per round, respectively.

However, Conwell, strong and compact, was explosive at times. He clearly landed the bigger punches, which gave him a big lead on the cards going into the final round.

Conwell seemed to injure his right hand when he landed a punch late in Round 7. He threw few rights the following round. However, it was a big right that would end matters.

Conwell seemed to be on his way to a unanimous-decision victory when the uppercut landed directly on Toussaint’s nose. He winced and immediately took a knee, where he stayed until the referee reached a count of 10.

The ring doctor could be heard saying that he believed Toussaint suffered a broken nose. A cornerman kept a towel on the nose in an effort to stop the bleeding.

The main event followed three first-round knockouts.

Janelson Figueroa Bocachica (16-0, 11 KOs) put Nicklaus Flaz (9-2, 7 KOs) down three times and stopped him 2:43 into a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Brandun Lee (20-0, 18 KOs) put Jimmy Williams (16-4-2, 5 KOs) on the canvas three times before another scheduled eight-round welterweight fight.

And David Navarro, making his pro debut in a scheduled four-round featherweight bout, put Nathan Benichou (2-2, 2 KOs) away in the opening round.

[lawrence-related id=14422]

 

 

Charles Conwell stops Wendy Toussaint in ninth round

Charles Conwell stopped Wendy Toussaint with an uppercut that evidently broke his nose in the ninth round of a scheduled 10-rounder.

Charles Conwell capped a solid performance with a dramatic finish Wednesday in Uncasville, Conn.

The 2016 Olympian did enough to win rounds against Wendy Toussaint before ending the scheduled 10-round junior middleweight fight with a right uppercut that evidently broke Toussaint’s nose in the ninth.

The official time was 2:42.

Conwell (13-0, 10 KOs) was coming off a fourth-round stoppage of Ramses Agaton in February, his first fight since he delivered the punches that ended the life of Patrick Day in October of last year.

The fight on Wednesday followed a pattern. Neither Conwell nor Toussaint (12-1, 5 KOs) was particularly active, as they threw an average of about 35 and 33 punches per round, respectively.

However, Conwell, strong and compact, was explosive at times. He clearly landed the bigger punches, which gave him a big lead on the cards going into the final round.

Conwell seemed to injure his right hand when he landed a punch late in Round 7. He threw few rights the following round. However, it was a big right that would end matters.

Conwell seemed to be on his way to a unanimous-decision victory when the uppercut landed directly on Toussaint’s nose. He winced and immediately took a knee, where he stayed until the referee reached a count of 10.

The ring doctor could be heard saying that he believed Toussaint suffered a broken nose. A cornerman kept a towel on the nose in an effort to stop the bleeding.

The main event followed three first-round knockouts.

Janelson Figueroa Bocachica (16-0, 11 KOs) put Nicklaus Flaz (9-2, 7 KOs) down three times and stopped him 2:43 into a scheduled eight-round welterweight bout.

Brandun Lee (20-0, 18 KOs) put Jimmy Williams (16-4-2, 5 KOs) on the canvas three times before another scheduled eight-round welterweight fight.

And David Navarro, making his pro debut in a scheduled four-round featherweight bout, put Nathan Benichou (2-2, 2 KOs) away in the opening round.

[lawrence-related id=14422]

 

 

Charles Conwell tries to focus on future one year after Patrick Day tragedy

Charles Conwell is trying to focus on the future a year after his tragic fight with Patrick Day.

Charles Conwell is trying to look forward, not backward. And no one can blame him in light of what happened a year ago Monday.

That’s when Conwell fought Patrick Day on the Oleksandr Usyk-Chazz Witherspoon card at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Conwell put Day down three times, the last time by a three-punch combination that rendered Day unconscious.

He was removed from the ring on a stretcher and taken to a hospital, where he had brain surgery in an emergency procedure and lapsed into a coma. He never regained consciousness, dying four days later.

Conwell has dealt with the tragedy as best he can, leaning on those close to him and maintaining his routines in an effort to move forward.

“I try to stay positive, to be around positive energy, positive vibes,” he told Boxing Junkie. “I’ll never be able to forget it, it will always be in the back of my mind. I just have to stay positive, try to be a good person and focus on the task at hand.”

I asked Conwell a number of questions about the tragedy and how he has been able to cope. He said as politely as possible multiple times that he isn’t comfortable discussing it in depth, even with family members and close friends.

Charles Conwell said the tragic result of his fight with Patrick Day (right) one year ago will always be in the back of his mind. Jon Durr / USA TODAY Sports

He said another fighter whose punches led to the death of an opponent – he didn’t say who it was – reached out to him but, he said, he wasn’t ready to talk.

“People don’t understand it, I don’t like to go too deep,” he said.

Thus, he answered my questions as openly as he could.

The talented 2016 Olympian, who is only 22 and has a bright future in the sport, said he was so overwhelmed in the wake of Day’s death that he considered retirement.

“I was in a real bad place mentally,” he said.

In time, however, he was able to begin the process of resuming his life as he knew it. He went back to training not long after the Day fight and returned to the ring on Feb. 8, stopping journeyman Ramses Agaton at the Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana.

And he’s scheduled to fight Wendy Toussaint this Wednesday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Day said the Agaton fight helped in the healing process.

“That fight made me feel better,” he said. “It helped me get past what happened. I think it answered questions other people had more than me, though. I guess they saw it in a negative way. They thought I’d be gun shy or something.

“To me, it felt like a fight. … I tried to keep it like a regular fight, keep things simple, keep things easy for myself.”

Conwell (right) easily outpointed Courtney Pennington in June of last year. Sarah Stier / Getty Images

He said he felt like the same boxer in that fight that he was before the bout with Day but would leave that assessment to others. And he is feeling like himself emotionally, although he stressed that he remains a work in progress in that regard.

He even allows himself to be openly excited about the future again.

Toussaint (12-0, 5 KOs) probably isn’t a significant threat to a fighter of Conwell’s pedigree but he’s a solid opponent, one who is as hungry as he is. Conwell has worked hard in preparation for the fight.

If things go well, he expects to take another step up in opposition and hopes to take part in a title eliminator – or another fight at that level – before the end of next year. Then comes what every young fighter dreams of: a chance to fight for a world title.

And, in terms of his legacy, he hopes he’ll be remembered one day more for what he accomplishes in the ring than the horrible events of a year ago.

“I hope the world will see my skill, see what I do in the ring,” he said. “Being remembered as a great champion is more important to me than anything else.”

[lawrence-related id=1325]

Charles Conwell tries to focus on future one year after Patrick Day tragedy

Charles Conwell is trying to focus on the future a year after his tragic fight with Patrick Day.

Charles Conwell is trying to look forward, not backward. And no one can blame him in light of what happened a year ago Monday.

That’s when Conwell fought Patrick Day on the Oleksandr Usyk-Chazz Witherspoon card at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. Conwell put Day down three times, the last time by a three-punch combination that rendered Day unconscious.

He was removed from the ring on a stretcher and taken to a hospital, where he had brain surgery in an emergency procedure and lapsed into a coma. He never regained consciousness, dying four days later.

Conwell has dealt with the tragedy as best he can, leaning on those close to him and maintaining his routines in an effort to move forward.

“I try to stay positive, to be around positive energy, positive vibes,” he told Boxing Junkie. “I’ll never be able to forget it, it will always be in the back of my mind. I just have to stay positive, try to be a good person and focus on the task at hand.”

I asked Conwell a number of questions about the tragedy and how he has been able to cope. He said as politely as possible multiple times that he isn’t comfortable discussing it in depth, even with family members and close friends.

Charles Conwell said the tragic result of his fight with Patrick Day (right) one year ago will always be in the back of his mind. Jon Durr / USA TODAY Sports

He said another fighter whose punches led to the death of an opponent – he didn’t say who it was – reached out to him but, he said, he wasn’t ready to talk.

“People don’t understand it, I don’t like to go too deep,” he said.

Thus, he answered my questions as openly as he could.

The talented 2016 Olympian, who is only 22 and has a bright future in the sport, said he was so overwhelmed in the wake of Day’s death that he considered retirement.

“I was in a real bad place mentally,” he said.

In time, however, he was able to begin the process of resuming his life as he knew it. He went back to training not long after the Day fight and returned to the ring on Feb. 8, stopping journeyman Ramses Agaton at the Civic Center in Hammond, Indiana.

And he’s scheduled to fight Wendy Toussaint this Wednesday at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Conn.

Day said the Agaton fight helped in the healing process.

“That fight made me feel better,” he said. “It helped me get past what happened. I think it answered questions other people had more than me, though. I guess they saw it in a negative way. They thought I’d be gun shy or something.

“To me, it felt like a fight. … I tried to keep it like a regular fight, keep things simple, keep things easy for myself.”

Conwell (right) easily outpointed Courtney Pennington in June of last year. Sarah Stier / Getty Images

He said he felt like the same boxer in that fight that he was before the bout with Day but would leave that assessment to others. And he is feeling like himself emotionally, although he stressed that he remains a work in progress in that regard.

He even allows himself to be openly excited about the future again.

Toussaint (12-0, 5 KOs) probably isn’t a significant threat to a fighter of Conwell’s pedigree but he’s a solid opponent, one who is as hungry as he is. Conwell has worked hard in preparation for the fight.

If things go well, he expects to take another step up in opposition and hopes to take part in a title eliminator – or another fight at that level – before the end of next year. Then comes what every young fighter dreams of: a chance to fight for a world title.

And, in terms of his legacy, he hopes he’ll be remembered one day more for what he accomplishes in the ring than the horrible events of a year ago.

“I hope the world will see my skill, see what I do in the ring,” he said. “Being remembered as a great champion is more important to me than anything else.”

[lawrence-related id=1325]

Fight Week: Emanuel Navarrete vs. Ruben Villa for vacant 126-pound title

Emanuel Navarrete faces Ruben Villa for a vacant 126-pound title on Friday.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

FIGHT WEEK

A look at the coming week in boxing in capsules.

***

CHARLES CONWELL (12-0, 9 KOs)
VS. WENDY TOUSSAINT (12-0, 5 KOs)

Charles Conwell (pictured) hopes to beat Wendy Toussaint on Wednesday and then fight once more before the end of the year.  Photo courtesy of Showtime

When: Wednesday, Oct. 7
Where: Mohegan Sun, Uncasville, Conn.
TV: Showtime (ShoBox)
Division: Junior middleweight
At stake: Nothing
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Isaiah Steen vs. Kalvin Henderson, super middleweights; Janelson Figueroa Bocachica vs. Nicklaus Flaz, welterweights; Brandun Lee vs. Jimmy Williams, welterweights
Prediction: Conwell UD
Background: Conwell, a junior middleweight contender from Cleveland, is coming off a fourth-round knockout of Ramses Agaton on Feb. 8. That was four months after his tragic meeting with Patrick Day, who died from a brain injury four days after Conwell stopped him. The 2016 U.S. Olympian, a talented boxer-puncher, had hoped to take a major step in his career this year but the coronavirus changed his timetable. He plans to fight again before the end of the year and then target the top 154-pounders next year. Toussaint is arguably Conwell toughest test. The Haitian-American isn’t a big puncher but he can box. A lack of experience could be a problem for Toussaint. He and Conwell have the same number of pro fights but Conwell had a much more extensive amateur career. And Toussaint will be fighting in his first scheduled 10-rounder when he faces Conwell.

***

EMANUEL NAVARRETE (32-1, 28 KOs)
VS. RUBEN VILLA (18-0, 5 KOs)

Emanuel Navarette will be fighting for a title in second division when he faces Ruben Villa on Friday. Mikey Williams / Top Rank

When: Friday, Oct. 9
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: ESPN+
Division: Featherweight
At stake: Vacant WBO title
Odds: NA
Also on the card: Joseph Adorno vs. Avery Sparrow, lightweights
Prediction: Navarrete KO 6
Background: Navarrete, a volume puncher with significant power, will be fighting for a title in a second weight class. The Mexican, ranked No. 1 by the WB0, last fought on June 20, when he stopped tough, but overmatched Uriel Lopez in six rounds in his first featherweight fight. He made his breakthrough with back-to-back victories over Issac Dogoe in 2018 and last year. The first was a unanimous-decision victory that gave him is 122-pound title. He won second by 12th-round KO. Navarrete has won 27 consecutive fights since his only setback, a four-round decision to Daniel Argueta in his sixth fight. Villa, ranked No. 2, is a solid opponent. The Salinas, Calif., resident has a strong amateur background and has looked good as a pro. He is stepping up in opposition for this fight, which will be a challenge. However, he might have a size advantage. He has been a 126-pounder his entire career. He is coming off a one-sided decision over Alexei Collado on Jan. 31, which earned him his ranking.

***

LIAM WILLIAMS (22-2-1, 17 KOs)
VS. ANDREW ROBINSON (24-4-1, 7 KOs)

When: Saturday, Oct. 10
Where: BT Sports Studios, London
TV: ESPN+ (BT Sport in U.K.)
Division: Middleweight
At stake: Williams’ British title
Odds: Williams 30-1
Also on the card: James Metcalf vs. Jack Flatley, super welterweights (for Commonwealth title); Nathan Gorman vs. Richard Lartey, heavyweights; Willy Hutchinson vs. Jose Miguel Fandino, super middleweight
Prediction: Williams KO 9
Background: Williams has been on a roll since losing back-to-back fights to Liam Smith, winning each of his subsequent six fights by knockout. He’s coming off a fifth-round TKO over Alantez Fox in December, which was his biggest post-Liam Smith test. The Welshman is ranked by two of the major sanctioning bodies, No. 2 by the WBO and No. 3 by the WBC, meaning a world title shot is within reach if he continues to win. Robinson is facing by far the biggest challenge of his career, one reason he’s a big underdog. He’s a solid boxer but has minimal punching power. He’s coming off a second-round TKO over Eric Nwankwo in September of last year, his third consecutive victory since he was stopped in six rounds by Mark Heffron in 2018. A victory by the Englishman would be a major upset.