BOXING FANS CONTINUE TO WORK THAT DVR!
NEW YORK, NY – Boxing’s busy winter schedule continues this weekend with two cards featured on both Friday and Saturday night. Tonight, ESPN will showcase former light heavyweight (175) world champion Glen Johnson (49-13-2, 33 KOs) when he takes on Yusaf Mack (28-2-2, 17 KOs) over 12 scheduled rounds in the main event of ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights, live from the NSU Arena, in Fort Lauderdale, FL on ESPN 2 at 10:30 PM ET.
ROAD WARRIOR TAKING LONG WAY HOME
41-year-old veteran, Glen “The Road Warrior” Johnson has always taken on all challengers and has fought some of the best fighters in the sport for the last 16 years. In 2004, the Ring Magazine celebrated Johnson as the their “fighter of the year” for his triumphs in shocking the world by knocking out Roy Jones Jr. (W KO 9) and taking a decision from Antonio Tarver (W SD 12). After his coronation at the top, Johnson has been trying to recapture the magic. Since a lost to Taver in their rematch, Johnson has fared well against descent opposition, going 7-3, however Glen was recently disappointed at the top level of the sport against Chad Dawson (L UD 12, twice) and Clinton Woods (L SD 12).
MACK TRYING TO SEND THE ROAD WARRIOR PACKING
Yusef Mack is a ten-year veteran of the sport who was perfect in his first six years as a pro before being stopped by Alejandro Berrio (L TKO 6). In his next bout, Mack rebounded with a win, but went on to get smashed by the always-dangerous Librado Andrade (L TKO 7). Since the clubbing at the hands of Andrade, Mack has put together 5 wins in a row, (2 KOs) and looks to continue his recent momentum against the seasoned, but possibly fading Glen Johnson
SHO BOX FEATURES CROSSROADS AFFAIR
Hopeful contender Freddy Hernandez (27-1, 18 KOs) squares off against former WBO champ DeMarcus Corley (36-12-1, 21 KOs) in a proposed 10 round welterweight (147) affair at the Chumash Casino in Santa Ynez, CA, live, tonight on Showtime at 11 PM ET.
FREDDY WANTS TO PROVE HE’S THE GOODS
Since his loss at the hands of Golden Johnson (L SD 12), a galvanized Hernandez has gone 10-0, with 4 KO’s, and is ranked number 14 in world by the WBC.
CORLEY MOSTLY KNOW FOR HIS STYLE OUTSIDE OF THE RING
After winning the WBO strap, colorful former champ DeMarcus Corley held his title for two successful defenses against Ener Julio (W UD 12) and Randall Bailey (W UD 12) before losing his crown on a 12-round split decision to Zab Judah. Since the loss to Judah, Corley is 5-7 in his last 12 bouts.
POTENTIAL FIGHT OF THE YEAR CANDIDATE ON SHOWTIME
Devastating, undefeated knockout artist and two-time world champion Edwin Valero (26-0, 26 KOs) will defend his WBC lightweight (130) crown against dynamic combination puncher Antonio DeMarco (23-1-1, 17 KOs) scheduled for 12 rounds or less at the Arena Monterrey in Nuevo León, Mexico, live, Saturday on Showtime at 9 PM ET.
MAMA SAID KNOCK YOU OUT
Having pulverized 26 straight opponents in tremendous knockout fashion, Valero has known no other form of victory. For the first time on an American televised card, fight fans will finally get the opportunity to see this Venezuelan’s power house’s swarming style of non stop pressure, accompanied with his raw unadulterated power. Don’t miss it.
DEMARCO CAN SWING FOR THE FENCES TOO
Exciting contender Antonio Demarco has turned the lights out of 6 of his last 10 victims. During that span, DeMarco has shown poised ability in adapting to troublesome situations by making the adjustments necessary to get the job done. While he is not the natural puncher Valero is, Antonio shows relentless commitment to his combinations, which usually systematically breaks down his foes.
FOX SPORTS KEEPS THE PARTY GOING
Fox sports continues to give fight fans their fill by featuring two prospects who have been getting some hype in the lightweight division. Jorge Luis Teron (23-1-1, 15 KOs) faces undefeated Brandon Rios (23-0-1, 17 KOs) in a bout scheduled for 12 at the Convention Center, in McAllen, TX on Fox Sports Net, live, Saturday at 10 PM ET.
COULD HAVE BEEN A CONTENDER?
Blasting out 5 in a row by knockout, Brandon Rios ups the competition and looks to display his excitingly aggressive style. A style which has landed him on the cusp of breaking in the WBC top ten.
SHOULD HAVE BEEN A CONTENDER?
Jorge Luis Teron’s lone career loss came two fights ago to Aldo Valtierra (L MD 10), a loss that he avenged against Valtierra in his next bout (W UD 10). He, alike his counterpart Rios, will look to shine and break into the WBC top ten contender status.
John Signorella