Alfredo Angulo: The junior middleweight contender from Mexico didn?t have much of a chance to shake off ring rust against Joseph Gomez on Saturday in Mexicali, Angulo?s first fight in 13 months. Lopez survived all of 1 minute, 24 seconds, the victim of a fight-ending body blow. Still, Angulo took an important step. He got back into the rhythm of fighting again, he got back into the ring and he took care assured himself of a big fight soon. The handlers of Angulo (20-1, 17 knockouts) and Vanes Martirosyan (30-0, 19 KOs) are negotiating to meet in a WBC title-elimination fight, with the winner due a shot at Saul Alavarez?s 154-pound title. So, to recap the past year: Angulo has gone from an intractable impasse with former promoter Gary Shaw, visa issues that have prevented him from entering the U.S. and the long layoff to a new promoter (Golden Boy), a tune-up bout and the promise of big fights ahead. He and his attorney also are working on getting his immigration problems resolved so he can fight in the U.S. Yes, ?El Perro? appears to be back. BIGGEST WINNER II
Demetrius Andrade: Andrade (14-0, 9 KOs) and Grady Brewer (28-13, 16 KOs) put us to sleep with an uneventful fight in the finale of Friday Night Fights, Andrade winning a one-sided 10-round decision. The fight was entirely forgettable. It was also important for Andrade, who passed his most-significant test as a pro on national television. Brewer is 40 years old and at the tail end of his career but remains a capable fighter, as he proved by stopping contender Fernando Guerrero in his previous fight. The fact Andrade was able to handle him so easily says a lot about the prospect?s ability. His jab is a thing of beauty. Now the gifted 2008 U.S. Olympian must maintain his momentum by taking the next step up in competition, perhaps fighting a fringe contender in his next bout. The guess here is that he?ll have little trouble against an opponent on that level and is destined for big things. BEST PERFORMANCE
Hank Lundy: The 27-year-old lightweight prospect looked like a complete fighter in his sixth-round KO of David Diaz on the Andrade-Brewer undercard. We know Lundy primarily as a slick boxer, which he demonstrated again on Friday. He also showed a willingness to stand and fight against a rough opponent even though he was KO?d three fights earlier (against John Molina) and had been knocked down in the fourth round by Diaz. The end came with a single straight left that laid Diaz out, the perfect way to punctuate a fine performance. I must temper my enthusiasm for Lundy?s performance because Diaz isn?t quite the fighter he was a few years ago ? he?s 2-3 in his last five fights ? and has fought sporadically. And I still wonder about Lundy?s chin, which led to his only defeat. He sure looked as if he could evolve into a legitimate contender on Saturday, though.
