BOTH NETWORKS RETURN IN 2013, WITH CROSSROADS FIGHTS IN THEIR MAIN EVENTS
Los Angleles, Ca–ESPN Friday Night Fights returns with a grudge match between two twice beaten lightweights (135lbs). John Molina Jr.(24-2, 19 KOs) of Covina, Ca comes back from an embarrassing first round TKO loss to WBC lightweight champ at the time, Antonio De Marco (28-3-1, 21 KOs), to face the inconsistent but dangerous Danny Williams (22-2, 18 KOs) in a ten round bout.
Season Premiere of Friday Night Nights
Both are hard punchers, yet Williams has a huge advantage in speed. However the barometer here is their common foe. Williams lost a wide decision to lightweight contender Hank Lundy (22-2-1, 11 KOs) last year, but while Molina stopped Lundy in the 11th round in 2012, he trailed heavily on the scorecards. The Covina native struggles with speedy fighters, and while Williams is no world beater this is a tough fight to take after a stunning loss. Tough one to pick and looks even on paper. When you consider talks of already moving to 140lbs, you must believe the 5’10′ Molina struggles to get to 135. I think the ten round bout favors Williams and I pick him to take a close decision. Trainer Virgil Hunter’s middleweight prospect out of Sacramento, Ca, Brandon Gonzales, (16-0, 10 KOs) rounds out the card against tough journeyman spoiler Don Moutin (12-4-1, 10 KOs). Broadcast begins at 6PM PST.
SHOWBOX DEBUTS WITH SOLID SEASON OPENER!
Former WBA 122lb champion Rico Ramos(21-1, 11 Kos) of Southern California, faces untested featherweight prospect Ronny Rios (19-0, 9 KOs), of Santa Ana, Ca. Rios is a former national amateur champion, but Ramos has faced the better competition in the pros. Ramos appeared to lack confidence against the ultra clever former two time Olympic gold medalist Guillermo Rigondeaux(11-0, 8 KOs) in his lone defeat, a TKO loss and title losing effort last year. Rios is no Rigondeaux, and can be somewhat methodical. This is a step up in class, however this is an extremely close fight that either guy can win. Considering Rios lack of firepower and the speed advantage for Ramos, I tend to go for the quicker fighter in a close match-up. Rios doesn’t seem to have the eraser or power to influence the judges in close rounds even if he’s the naturally bigger man. Expect Ramos to pull out a close and somewhat controversial decision. Broadcast starts at 8PM PST.
-Kevin Perry