New York, NY – Boxing’s tremendously busy schedule continues this weekend with two cards on Friday as (ESPN and Showtime) are followed by a pair of cards on Saturday with (HBO PPV and a Fox Sports Net) card.
FORMER TITLE CHALLENGERS IN CROSSROADS AFFAIR
Delvin Rodriquez (24-4-2, 14 KOs) squares off against Mike Arnaoutis (22-4-2, 10 KOs) in a scheduled 12 round contest at the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, CT, Friday at 9 PM ET on ESPN 2.
“D ROD” IN DEPSEPEATE NEED OF A WIN
Coming off two straight loses, action fighter and one time IBF welterweight (147) title challenger Delvin Rodriquez finds himself in career saving “must win” situation underneath the hot lights of Friday Night Fights.
“MIGHTY” MIKE LOOKS TO GET MIGHTY AGAIN
Since beginning his career with an impressive 16 straight victories, “Mighty” Mike Arnaoutis has only won four of his nine battles (1 KO). During that stretch, Mike failed at his bid for the WBO title against Ricardo Torres (L SD 12), and suffered an embarrassing second round loss against Victor Ortiz (L TKO 2). Arnaoutis, like his counterpart Rodriquez, is in a must win situation.
SHOWTIME BRINGS CUBAN PROSPECT CENTERSTAGE
Power punching middleweight (160) Erislandy Lara (10-0, 6 KOs) will trade shots with veteran Danny Perez (34-6, 17 KOs) over 10 proposed rounds at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, Friday at 11 PM ET on Showtime.
BRING THE PAIN
In just two short years as a professional, Erislandy Lara has already fought ten times. Lara’s feverishly paced style has allowed him to finish most of his victims in highlight reel fashion. Erislandy’s latest effort, a sensational tenth round knockout over vastly more experienced foe Grady Brewer, brought mainstream attention and appeal to Lara’s super quick development and devastating power.
VETERAN LOOKS TO PLAY SPOILIER
An active professional since 1996, journeymen Danny Perez has faired well, but fallen short against some of the toughest fighters in the welterweight, jr middleweight, and middleweight divisions. Upset minded Perez will look to use the world-class experience he has obtained from previous encounters as the difference maker against his lesser experienced foe.
JONES AND HOPKINS DO IT AGAIN…17 YEARS LATER
Nearly two decades removed from their first encounter (won by Roy Jones UD 12) living ring legends and boxing icons Roy Jones Jr. (54-6, 40 KOs) and Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1, 32 KO s) will meet again in 12 round non title tilt in the light heavyweight (175) division at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, NV, at 9 PM ET on HBO PPV.
YA’LL MUST HAVE FORGOT
Considering his many accomplishments and obvious attributes in athleticism, simply put, Roy Jones may be one of the most gifted and influential fighters to have ever laced up a pair of boxing gloves. Jones started his storied career of brilliance at a blistering pace earning 26 consecutive victories (19 KOs) before getting disqualified in a competitive battle for striking a knocked downed Montell Griffin. Jones then answered his first loss with an empathic first round KO in his highly anticipated rematch against Griffin. Thereafter, Roy went unbeaten over the next seven years, and by showcasing his masterful command of craft and technique, Jones managed to capture a portion of the heavyweight crown against John Ruiz (W UD 12) in the process. However, in his next contest (back at light heavyweight), Jones would suffer an identity changing set back knockout loss to Antonio Tarver in their rematch (L KO 2), prompting a three fight losing streak which included a frightening knockout loss to Glen Johnson (L KO 9). After the horrific loss to Johnson, Jones mounted a comeback and reasserted himself to win three straight, most notably gaining a victory over Puerto Rican superstar Felix Trinidad (W UD 12). Despite such accolade, Roy would be upset in his next bout against Joe Calazaghe (L UD 12) but again bounce back with two impressive wins. In his most recent effort, Jones was surprisingly stopped in just one round against fringe contender Danny Green.
THE EXECUTIONER SEEKS REVENGE
Since his loss to Roy Jones in their first meeting, Bernard Hopkins (while defiantly kicking ass in the process) has been calling out Jones for a rematch. The boxing world took notice of the bombastic talents of Hopkins when he displayed a masterpiece performance against Felix Trinidad (W KO 12). After his artistic beat down over the Trinidad, Bernard’s take no prisoners “back alley” brawling style has allowed him to go toe-to-toe with (and beat) world elite combatants Oscar De La Hoya (W KO 9), Antonio Tarver (W UD 12), Winky Wright (W UD12) and Kelly Pavlik (W UD 12) with relative ease. Bernard’s few set backs have come by way of him fighting in spurts which allows his usually younger adversary to out hustle him, ala Joe Calzaghe (L UD 12), Jermain Taylor (L SD12, L UD 12), and Roy Jones (L UD 12). Coming into Saturday’s fight, Hopkins has six wins against four losses in his last ten bouts (1 KO).
PPV UNDERCARD
Former title challenger Rocky Juarez (28-5-1, 20 KOs) faces “bar room” brawler Jason Litzau (26-2, 21 KOs) in featherweight (126) 10 rounder.
“Contender” season one winner and former WBC champion Sergio Mora (21-1-1, 5 KOs) takes on Calvin Green (21-4-1 13 KOs) over 10 rounds at middleweight (160).
Violent banger Ismayl Sillakh (11-0, 10 KOs) has a showdown with Daniel Judah (23-4-3, 10 KOs) for 10 rounds at light heavyweight.
TOP RANK LIVE CONTINUES ITS COVERAGE OF THE FIGHT GAME
Heavy-handed featherweight prospect Miguel Garcia (20-0, 17 KOs) throws hands with battle tested (but been bested scrapper) Thomas Villa (22-6-4, 14 KOs) at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX, Saturday at 10 PM ET on Fox Sports Net.
SHOP WRECKER
Boasting a knockout percentage over 85 percent, albeit against limited opposition, Garcia has fought a commendable five fights per year and averages only four rounds per fight.
HOME WRECKER?
Unheralded pug Thomas Villa is by far the most experienced fighter Garcia has ever faced. Villa has gone 12-1-1 in has last 14 (9 KOs) and will attempt to call upon such savvy in attempt at stopping Garcia ‘s perfect run.
John Signorella