Boxing: July 17

[H2O Man]

FRIDAY - at Las Vegas (ESPN2) - 10 rounds, lightweights: Breidis Prescott (21-0, 18 KOs) vs. Miguel Vazquez (24-3, 12 KOs).

The ESPN FNF is the only televised card on US television this weekend. It will definitely be worth watching.

Miguel Varquez is a tough fighter from Guadalajara, Mexico. Although he has three loses on his record, it is important to note that each came when facing an undefeated opponent. This included his first fight, which is less significant than the more recent loses to Timothy Bradley and Saul Alvarez. Bradley, of course, now holds a title, and is considered to be one of the most talented of the sport’s younger generation.

Varquez has gone the decision in each of these loses. He is certainly durable. And he has fair punching power, with a 50% KO ratio in his 24 victories. And he is one of the few fighters in his division that is willing to face Breidis Prescott at this time.

Prescott, of Barranquilla, Colombia, is recognized as a dangerous, hard-punching young contender. His first 19 bouts took place in his native country; he won 18 of these by knockout. His first fight outside of Columbia was a 2nd round knockout victory in Panama. From there, promoters brought him to the US for what was his first real test.

There have been a number of South- and Central American fighters with impressive records, who eventually find their way to the US. Some, such as Carlos Monzon and Roberto Duran, prove to be among boxing’s all-time greatest fighters. More are found to be hard-punching warriors, who lack the basic skills that would allow them to compete at the highest levels. Prescott won a split-decision in his first fight in the US, over an undefeated opponent; it appeared that he would have difficulty competing on the big stage.

Thus, the British promoters of undefeated sensation Amir Khan picked Prescott for a high-profile opponent. Khan is an explosive puncher, who was being groomed for a title shot. A victory over the undefeated Columbian was expected to be a step towards securing a championship. (It was, in fact, for the WBO Inter-continental Lightweight Title.) But Prescott flattened Khan in :54 seconds of the first round in one of the biggest upsets of 2008.

Prescott has had difficulty in securing bouts against quality opponents since that win ten months ago. He had one fight against journeyman Humberto Toledo in February. If he has an impressive victory on Friday, it seems likely that he will get a title fight late this year. But, as Amir Khan found out, you can’t take anything for granted when you enter that ring.

Enjoy the fights!

[JonLP24]

1. 18 KOs in 21 fights

:wow:

Very good points on his opponent he is facing it should be a VERY good matchup. You can definately count on me to be watching this Friday and not only that it looks like to be to a MUCH better fight then last Friday on FNF. Though from what you said the 18 KOs could be inflated like Hawk's undefeated record last week according to what the announcers were saying about the quality of Hawk's opponents but 18 KOs out of 21 fights is still impressive imo. Again.

:wow:

[H2O Man]

2. I think that

you will enjoy the fight. There is always something exciting about a fight featuring a guy who has shown the punching power that can knock an opponent unconscious at any moment. And he's fighting a good, experienced fighter who has never been stopped, even against one of the very best fighters in boxing.

It's just over two weeks until the fight card in Saratoga Springs. I have been talking with Nagy Aguilera, who is challenging for the NYS heavyweight title in the main event. I'm also friends with the father of two other fighters on the card. Hopefully, I'll be posting some articles/interviews here on DU before the fights. I will definitely be posting some ringside photos the following day.

[JonLP24]

3. I will be looking forward to it

18 KOs out of 21 fights really is a figure stands out.

I do remember you posting about the Saratoga Card on the last weekly thread and I believe you mentioned that you might possibly doing some corner work. I think you said it will be on ESPN2, I'll check the other thread to find out what channel if you mentioned one. I'll be looking forward to your previews as well as recap and photos. The fight to if I'm able to watch it on ESPN2.

On edit: You mentioned that FNF carried the Saratoga card last year and it wasn't really clear if FNF will be carrying it this year so considering they did last year is it fair to assume they will this year as well?

[H2O Man]

4. For several years

in a row, ESPN FNF has carried the annual Saratoga card. They were going to this year, but unfortunately, the promoters were unable to secure a main event that meets the new level of competition that ESPN seeks. It doesn't mean the actual fights will not be as competitive or exciting, but that the card doesn't feature contenders rated high enough yet.

Most ESPN cards now feature guys with 20 or more fights, and this card will be featuring guys with a little less experience, It's more on the level of the VS cards that Oscar is putting on.

Hopefully, the promoters will be able to get back on track next year. An interesting note: early last summer, the promoters put on a card near Binghamton. Their top fighter had recently signed with Golden Boy Productions, and was preparing to be featured in the Saratoga ESPN card. He was fighting a journeyman from Philly as a warm-up. But he wasn't focused on that fight. In the first round, he dropped his hands along the ropes, and got knocked unconscious with a hard punch. The ref wasn't in position to see the guy was out cold on his feet, being held up by the ropes. He got nailed with a brutal combination, and eventually was taken out of the ring on a stretcher. It ended his career. In boxing, even the best laid plans can get knocked off track in a split second.

I saw Aguilera for the first time on that card, and once since. He has the potential to be a factor in the heavyweight division, if he remains fully prepared. He has a tough fight on the 31st, but should bring too much to the table for his opponent. But, again, a single mistake, however brief, can change a fight. Even end it.

[JonLP24]

5. In that case

I will be checking for your threads and I'm sure you will post a very informative preview as well as recap. Very informative reply by the way :thumbsup: I couldn't think of a good response but I enjoyed reading it so I just ended up deciding to keep my reply to you short and simple.

[H2O Man]

6. I appreciate

that you are interested in participating on my boxing threads. I think it's a great sport -- and its ties with politics go deeper than any other's.

[H2O Man]

7. Impressive co-feature.

Cuban amateur sensation Guillermo Rigondeaux just scored a first round knockout on the undercard. His opponent was game, but not in the same class, Rigondeaux is a great counter-puncher. He kept throwing an uppercut-"bolo" left from outside. It was apparent that he wanted his opponent to try to cross a right over it, which he did. Rigondeaux countered with a hard left to the liver, and that was it.

This guy will be a champion, probably by the end of 2010.

[TroubleMan]

8. Speaking of Khan, he fought well tonight.

Dominated the whole fight. He looked really good, and had great stamina. He was still fresh in the last round.

[H2O Man]

9. Two things

have made him a far better fighter than he was a year ago: the loss and working with Freddie Roach. I think that most fighters do better after an early loss in their career. I wouldn't pick being KOed in one round, but losing a decision to a more experienced boxer works. Then, a person either moves up to that next level, or their career is through. (A few fighters dobetter with the pressure of being undefeated, but not many.)

And Freddie Roach is obviously outstanding, and has a stable of fighters that bring out the best in oneanother.

[TroubleMan]

10. Yeah, Freddie Roach is probably the best in the business now.

The announcers also said Freddie Roach had him sparring with Pacquiao. That had to help, too.

[JonLP24]

11. Great fights

I forgot most of the names at this point but there was some pretty good fights that they showed early on. There first one I believe there was a 2004 Olympic Gold Champion in his first or second professional match against some guy from Glendale, AZ who they man from AZ lost badly. Then there was a believe a Johnson vs Paulo where Johnson fought very well. I have a prediction I will be hearing about these two winners down the road.

On to the fight it seemed Vazquez fought well after taking that first knockdown in the first round. Then won by a split decision I think. Teddy seemed upset about the one judge that overwhemingly scored that fight for Prescott. He suggested that if he(Teddy) was the commissioner that he would sit down with that judge and replay the fight and tell him how he scored that fight.