New York, NY – Action begins tonight with a pair of intriguing cards dealt out by ESPN and Showtime, typified tomorrow evening with a potentially explosive card of warfare on Showtime.
“JUAN MA” MAKES SHOWTIME DEBUT
Rising Puerto Rican star Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KOs) attempts his first defense of the WBO featherweight (126) strap against rugged Filipino scrapper Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KOs) over 12 scheduled rounds of throw down in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Saturday at 9 PM ET on Showtime.
NATURAL BORN SLUGGER
Boasting a knockout percentage of about 90 percent, fierce, free-spirited brawler Juan Lopez has proven devastating “lights out” type power. Contrast to his barrage of terror, Juan has shown a multiplicity of craft and intestinal fortitude, aforementioned attributes which were highlighted by answering the final bell in his “life and death” battle with Rogers Mtagwa (W Lopez, UD 12). By displaying “heart”, which is a scarce trait of many of today’s prize fighters, “Juan Ma” is a rare breed.
CONCEPCION AIN’T BAD, BUT IS HE ANY GOOD?
As a professional fighter for six years, Bernabe Concepcion is best known for being disqualified for hitting Steven Lueveno after the bell in their WBO title affair. After the setback, Bernabe picked up a win which has earned him a second chance at capturing the belt.
“FLASH” APPEARANCE IN THE OPENER
“Filipino Flash” Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KOs) squares off against Hernan Marquez (27-1, 20 KOs) in a jr. bantamweight (115) 12 round affair.
TAMING THE BULL
Bursting on the scene with a sensational one punch knockout win over then undefeated Vic Darchinyin (W KO 5), Nonito Donaire’s slaying of the “Raging Bull” propelled his status as challenger to champion overnight. Conventional wisdom lead one to believe that a win of such magnitude would have opened doors to more marquee fights and lucrative pay days, however that wasn’t the case.
FLASH OR PHANTOM?
In a victory that was suppose to introduce Donaire to the boxing world as “the next big thing” and elevate him into the upper stratosphere of 115 pounders, Nonito, oddly enough, has only fought 5 times over the last 3 years and had been featured mostly on independent PPV broadcasts with limited televised access to viewers in the United States.
DESPITE “LOOSE” SCHEDULE DONAIRE CAN FIGHT
Nonito possesses a highly exciting “TV friendly” style and by knocking out 7 of his last 11, he packs one hell of a punch. A win on Saturday (hopefully) will lead Donaire to bigger and better things.
WHAT YA GOT KID?
In his last outing, heavily protected prospect Hernan Marquez finally stepped up in class and picked up his first loss as pro. Prior to that setback, Hernan was blasting out pugs with the the most hideous losing records I’ve even seen.
ESPN LOOKS TO BURN THE BARN
In one of the best fights that can be made between up and coming stars, Philadelphia scrapper Henry Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KOs) takes on heavy handed John Molina (20-1, 16 KOs) in a career defining WBO lightweight (135) title tilt at the Twin River Event Center in Rhode Island on ESPN 2 Friday at 10 PM ET.
SHOBOX RETURNS
After a month absence, the critically acclaim series is back with a competitive bout featuring dismantling bomber Mike Jones (21-0, 17 KOs) against rough battle tested thug Irving Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KOs) over 12 rounds or less in the welterweight (147) division at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, at 11 PM ET on Showtime.
John Signorella