Fourteen pounds aren’t much, but they represent a range with some potential profit in a business that might be getting better as it sheds the heavyweights.
From the 126-pound featherweights to the 140-pound junior welterweights, there is a wealth of fighters and fights in an intriguing mix from which a renewal and a settlement of the entertaining pound-for-pound debate could emerge.
The opening shots already have been fired. First, there was Marco Antonio Barrera’s dramatic decision over Erik Morales at 130 in November. Then, Morales extended the drama with a decision over Manny Pacquiao in March.
It’s hard to imagine that it could get any better, but the expectation and potential are there Saturday night when Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo risk their pieces of the 135-pound title at Las Vegas’ Mandalay Bay.
It looms as a desperate battle to keep a seat at the table for both Castillo and Corrales, who made his debut in Tempe and fought four of his first five fights in the Valley.
At 140, there is Miguel Cotto, Kostya Tszyu and Floyd Mayweather Jr., who beat both and is preparing for Arturo Gatti.
Soon to be at 135, there is Morales, who plans to move up in September. Pacquiao’s future might be in limbo because of a lawsuit filed last week against manager Murad Muhammad.
Top Rank’s plans include a September doubleheader featuring Morales and Pacquiao. If legal proceedings restrict his fights to the courtroom, however, featherweight Juan Manuel Marquez, who fought Pacquiao to a draw, might move into his slot on the card.
Chavez in town
It’s official: Julio Cesar Chavez and his son, J.C. Jr., will stage a public workout Sunday at Central Boxing on Van Buren Street near 17th Avenue. They will be there at 1 p.m. as part of a tour leading up to another farewell in Chavez’s long goodbye.
He and his son will fight on a pay-per-view card titled “Adios” on May 28 at Los Angeles’ Staples Center. It is scheduled to include Phoenix middleweight prospect Jesus Gonzales (15-0), who first must beat Juan Garcia (7-7) of West Covina, Calif., Friday night at Fort McDowell Casino.
Gonzales and Mike Tyson also plan to be at the public workout.
Briefs
Phoenix heavyweight George Garcia (6-0), who won a decision last Friday over Victor Maciel (11-8) at Glendale Arena, plans to be busy. His dad and trainer, George, said he expects his son to fight for the second time in eight days Friday at Fort McDowell.
? Opening blows: In training at Central for a June 11 bout with Kevin McBride, Tyson began sparring last week with Corey Sanders (23-10), a 6-foot-6 heavyweight from Washington, D.C.
? It’s back to the streets for Joe Diaz. After a two-week interruption, the Phoenix trainer says he will resume his public battle with promoter Peter McKinn and the State Boxing Commission with a picket line Friday outside of the commission office near the capitol.
