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Some breaking news and the weekend preview, I'll then post my thoughts on Manny Steward.
Breaking news, the WBO has stripped Juan Manuel Marquez of his light welter weight title. They have now ordered Ruslan Provodnikov to fight Brandon Rios for the belt. Can you say another fight of the year candidate?
Negotiations will be underway in the next 30 days to make the fight, will likely end up in Cali in January or February.
The weekend preview:
HBO card in Verona NY
-Miguel Vazquez (31-3, 13 KOs) vs. Marvin Quintero (25-3, 21 KOs) - for Vazquez's IBF lightweight title
-Thomas Dulorme (16-0, 12 KOs) vs. Luis Carlos Abregu (33-1, 27 KOs) - 10 rounds, welterweights
-Mauricio Herrera (18-2, 7 KOs) vs. Karim Mayfield (16-0, 10 KOs) - 10 rounds, junior welterweights
Lets start with the Herrera/Mayfield bout.
A late bloomer in Herrera and a grizzled vet who has been in the sparring ring with a number of champs, Mayfield. Herrera has seen world class bangers before, and Mayfield comes into this as essentially a one trick pony - throw the right hand. I expect Herrera to neutralize that one punch, and pick him apart. Expect a close, possibly disputed decision here.
Dulorme and Abregu:
A cross roads fight to the extreme. The established, fringe contender veteran in Abregu and the super prospect Dulorme. Abregu loses here, he might as well pack up his career and head to Argentina to live in relative obscurity. He's been on Showtime in the past and fought Timothy Bradley, but was pretty much outclassed. I don't see him getting past the prospect here. Dulorme is smart enough to handle the pressure and he will bomb away on Abregu, which we'll see just how tough his beard really is in this one. Give me Dulorme via TKO.
Vazquez vs. Quintero:
Got ourselves a bull vs. matador fight in this one. Quintero will be acting bull, and Vazquez will be trying to box with him all night as the matador. Compared to recent opposition, this is a step up for Vazquez and a defense against a very capable, very powerful but very limited opponent. Exepct Quintero to try and corner the smooth boxing Vazquez and beat him into submission. I don't see that happening though. Vazquez is too smooth, too accurate a puncher, and too good as a boxer to let that happen. I'll take Vazquez sharp shooting in a decision win.
There is some international action as well in Japan, Takahiro Ao vs. Gamaliel Diaz in a super featherweight title fight. Ao will retain his title in a decision over the overmatched Diaz.
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