A weekend of international flare is in store for boxing fans, with boxers from Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Philippines, America, England, and Colombia squaring off on U.S. television. The most intriguing bout- and hard to pick fight- features hot Filipino prospect Marvin Sonsona traveling to Puerto Rico to fight hometown favorite Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. It’s not often that two young prospects and their handlers are willing to take a fight like this, and both sides should be commended. The only negative aspect is that it is a PPV event, which will limit viewers for the clash. Otherwise, it is an average weekend in terms of activity, three cards in all, with ESPN2 and Fox Sports pitching in two attractive events to round out the weekend.
February 26th (Friday), 2010
At The Don Haskins Convention Center, El Paso, TX (ESPN2) Antonio Escalante (22-2) vs. Miguel Roman (28-6) (The Ring Magazine #9 junior featherweight vs. unranked) (ESPN2) Danny Garcia (15-0) vs. Ashley Theophane (25-3-1)
Ashley Theophane – This is “Treasure” Theophane’s second appearance on ESPN2, a Londoner whose rakish personality is perfectly suited for fighting in hostile environments. Has had mixed results in America, defeating DeMarcus Corley by a wide decision but suffering a decision loss to Ali Oubaali, despite knocking his foe down. Interviews show Theophane as an historical student of the game, walking into a gym at the age of eight to emulate his heroes. Had an average amateur record of 40-10, where Theophane’s speed and accuracy should have afforded more wins? Is not a big puncher, only seven stoppages in 25 wins, but is cocky and got into a sparring session altercation with Paul Malignaggi at Gleason’s Gym before his American debut. Has been out of the ring for eight months, but enters every fight with a ton of confidence and fast feet. A counter-puncher at heart, who only pushes forward when he senses an advantage. Theophane squares himself to opponents too much, allowing him to fire with either hand or his snappy jab, but exposes his whole body as a target in the process. Has a good chin, all three losses are by decision, and is at his best when he sets to fire a combination after having backed up to create space. Reportedly had 10 weeks of training and nearly 100 rounds of sparring to get ready for this fight. Despite win over Corley, has not faced a lot of tough opponents (sparring with Joan Guzman helps), and at 29, needs to kick it into high gear if serious about a title shot. Tonight is the first step in that direction.
Danny Garcia – One of Golden Boy Promotion’s few East Coast signings, Garcia has been making impressive progress, fighting almost exclusively on West Coast shows. Returned to Philadelphia to score an impressive kayo against Mexican banger Enrique Colin on the Hopkins-Ornelas undercard, and has a knack of delivering his best work when TV’s spotlight shines on him. Garcia’s boxing skills were instilled at the amateur level, a 107-13 record, winning a national Golden Gloves title and topping out as an Olympic alternate. Growing up in the tough Philly gym system will serve him as well, if not better, in the pros as his time with the national amateur team. Garcia has really quick hands, and his feet keep him in continual contact with the target. I would not qualify Garcia as a strong puncher, but his punches land with sudden authority and make a solid popping sound. Needs to work on keeping the hands up, but not at the expense of his aggressiveness. Displays good head movement and reflexes, but because he is usually moving forward, has not been tested a lot defensively. Really upped his level of competition last year, seemingly focusing Garcia and getting better performances out of him. A win here would open Garcia to further televised bouts, but a deep welterweight division should delay any kind of title push back to 2012. Still, the 21-year-old is more mature and calm in the ring than most boxers at this stage of their careers.
Result – Theophane has started fights slowly, which is not advisable against someone like Garcia, whose motor is revved from the opening introduction. A weaker Ali Oubaali, in the upper body, pushed Theophane around, and exerted enough pressure to dictate where exchanges would happen in the ring. Garcia can time and use Theophane’s backward motion, stepping into voids quickly and hitting a retreating Theophane. It will score points, but not a stoppage. I like Garcia to ride out some bumpy middle rounds, from four to seven when Theophane acclimates, but win a comfortable decision.
Miguel Roman – Prototypical tough Mexican import, who tests a prospect’s determination and will, if they cannot avoid his charges with superior boxing skills. An aggressive volume puncher, Roman does his best work when on the inside, banging the body. A short, burly brawler, but not as unintelligent as his style first suggests. Switches from head to body nicely, and if Roman was consistent in cutting off the ring with lateral movement, he would be a major threat. Is active with five fights in 2009 and a competent finisher, with 20 stoppages in 28 wins. Has an excellent chin, going the distance with punchers like Jorge Solis and Fernando Beltran. Probably should have gotten the decision over Fernando Beltran, televised by ESPN2, with his aggression and superior physicality. Juarez-bred banger has high-set eyebrows and cheeks, which makes it surprising that Roman has not been more vulnerable to cuts and swelling, given to lack of defense. First gained attention twice, outpointing former champ Cesar Soto, and fought intermittently good opponents since his second year as a pro. Like many Mexican boxers, started young, turned pro at 17 and was scheduled for a ten-rounder one year later. Did lose his last fight, a tough split decision to undefeated Miguel Beltran, but even in losses, never fails to get his pound of flesh or deliver a good fight for fans.
Antonio Escalante – The Juarez-born, but El Paso-based, boxer enters the fight with the most upside and is riding an impressive winning streak. Not sure where he stands with his weight, since he’s ranked number one by the WBA at junior featherweight and number three at featherweight by the WBO. Either way, this is a risky fight for a highly-rated boxer. Excitement is the name of the game with Escalante, and even when forced to go the distance, Escalante’s aggression does not wane. Loss in the Mauricio Pastrana fight showed how Escalante’s aggression can be used against him, as Escalante was caught flush, coming in for a finishing shot against an opponent he had just knocked down. It is Escalante’s only real setback, following an early career loss, and he seems to have learned from it, judging by the way he finished off Mike Oliver and Gary Stark in subsequent outings. In recent performances, showed more proficiency from a distance, varying and picking his shots according to openings instead of punching through an opponent’s guard. No longer in the middle ground on defense, drifting back fully to look over a foe instead of lunging or chasing. Averaged three fights a year, since 2007, which seems low, given five of his last seven bouts did not go more than five rounds. Has gone ten or more rounds four times, so stamina is not an issue. At 24, should be ready for more work, and is in his physical prime as well as approaching his mental prime. If Escalante continues to box within himself, he has the potential to annex a title late this year, or early next.
Result – Teddy Atlas has the best phrase for fights like this and why one boxer inevitably wins. He speaks of the winner having “more options.” That phrase applies to Escalante, who learned from his loss to Pastrana that a car going 100 miles an hour is hard to steer away from an accident. Since then, Escalante has been under control, and boxed where needed instead of going for the kayo with every punch. Roman has only mastered a banger’s style. Escalante will encounter early problems, but settle into the role of matador over bull and win a workmanlike decision.
February 27th (Saturday), 2010
At Bally’s Casino, Atlantic City, NJ (FOX Sports) Mike Jones (19-0) vs. Henry Bruseles (28-3-1) (FOX Sports) Saul Roman (32-5) vs. Gabriel Rosado (13-4)
Gabriel Rosado – Don’t let his record deceive, Rosado is a tough-as-nails fighter who gives anyone trouble that comes into the ring with less than 100% dedication. A Philly volume-puncher, at home in local gym wars, he has defeated former champ Kassim Ouma and given hot prospect Fernando Guerrero (dropping the hometown favorite) his toughest fight. Did get steamrolled by Alfredo Angulo in two rounds, not alone there, but bounced back to stop fellow Philly prospect Latif Mundy three months ago. Did not begin to box until age 18, and had less than 15 amateur bouts. Found belief in his abilities in 2008, after losses to two inferior opponents, outpointing undefeated Irish prospect James Moore and rededicating himself to boxing. Maintains an active pace, five fights in 2009, and is always in the gym, which shows in a constant weight in the 155-pound range. At 6’0”, has good size, but could use his length more by boxing from the outside. Does move well with his feet, but rather than establish distance, he does so to block escape paths and force opponents to engage. Punches have good form, but is not a hard puncher, preferring volume over setting himself to throw one hard blow. Also smothers punches by fighting on the inside too much. Aside from the Angulo bout, has never been totally outclassed, but if Rosado hopes to be more than a test for top-notch prospects, he needs to beat opponents like Roman.
Saul Roman – Mexican also has a win over Kassim Ouma. Has shown more in the results department than Rosado, knocking off former champ Yori Boy Campas as well as title challengers Marco Rubio and Hugo Pineda. Has a big punch, stopping 73% of foes, but gets frustrated when unable to land his right hand. Wants to get into the trenches and force opponents to stand with him, despite a thin upper body and lack of bulk from the waist up. With the exception of one setback (to a sub .500 boxer after coming back too soon after a kayo loss), has not lost to an inferior boxer, but did lose to relatively elite fighters Sergio Martinez and Yuri Foreman. Has a good reach and uses an accurate jab, but fails to mix up punches behind it enough to make that blinding jab more effective. When allowed to get into a groove, Roman is dangerous, winging punches in bunches and moving forward. Against Campas, his punches began to get wide as the rounds wore on, which you could also see in the Ouma victory. Was stopped with a body punch by Sergio Martinez, and chin is questionable, having been stopped in four of five losses. That is because Roman keeps his hands too low, and lacks head movement on the outside. A fast starter, the key for Roman’s victories lies in creating early momentum.
Result – A look at their records alone does not tell the current quality of these two. Rosado is better right now, and is fighting in his neck of the woods. Previous fights show Roman as a bit of a frontrunner, who gets discouraged when not landing consistently. Rosado is developing into a more complete boxer, and a superior chin could be a factor in a fight where both men will land blows. Rosado will push Roman backwards, and his more accurate punching will impress judges more than Roman’s mauling. I’ll take Rosado by unanimous decision.
Henry Bruseles – I remember the first time I noticed Bruseles, admiring his mindset as a Puerto Rican import, boxing against Mexican fighters and their fans at Los Angeles’ Great Western Forum. Those early fights and hazardous gym work made Bruseles a tough pro, and I thought he had championship potential early on. Somehow got derailed, but still became a solid pro and an opponent of the gatekeeper variety. Enters on a seven-bout winning streak, and has not lost in five years after getting blown out by Floyd Mayweather Jr. His other two losses were to lesser opponents, which calls into question Bruseles’ focus and motivation. Is still only 29-years-old, but a solid veteran who has experienced it all and should not be intimidated by fighting in Jones’ back yard. Been out of the ring for nearly one year, and only fought once in 2009, twice in 2008, and once in 2007. A 46% kayo ratio is about right; Bruseles can wear on foes for stoppages, but is not a big puncher or a guy to get opponents in trouble with one punch. A patient boxer who does not take chances, relying on timing and jab more now that his speed and reflexes are slowing. Probably at his best at 140 pounds, but will move up to 146 for this fight. Defense is better than adequate, but his chin is not great and he has been dropped by average punchers like Wilfredo Negron, Cesar Bazan, and Mayweather. Just a smart fighter, Bruseles can be trouble when not troubled by his foes’ speed.
Mike Jones – Acclaimed local promoter J. Russell Peltz has a dark horse champion candidate with this flashy puncher from Philadelphia. It’s not easy to create a buzz among hardnosed Philly fans, but this hard-hitting prospect is doing just that. Jones has the look and seems to have the talent, in his fifth year as a pro, but national recognition has not been commensurate to his ability. It’s a testament to his team’s confidence that they were reportedly on the verge of signing for a fight with Joshua Clottey before the Pacquiao fight materialized for the Ghanaian. Jones has stopped 16 of 19 opponents, but no name on his resume stands out with the exception of totally faded Israel Cardona and veteran journeyman Germaine Sanders. Began to box at age 15 and was a solid amateur, 60-6 record, but never reached the finals of a national tourney. Has a rock hard physique, with a lot of his bulk located in broad shoulders. Really commits to punches, sometimes too much, often lunging forward as he follows through on punches. Despite big upper body, has a lanky look and feel, is 5’11”, and consistently gets full extension on his punches. Late opponent Lenin Arroyo forced Jones to go ten rounds for the first time, eight months ago, which was a good learning opportunity and put to rest any stamina concerns. Has been preparing for the fight for six weeks, sparring with the likes of Demetrius Hopkins, and is a gym rat who stays in constant shape. Reportedly has to be held back in training for fear of peaking too early for a fight. An impressive victory over Bruseles would suggest a spot on an HBO or Showtime undercard as the next step in the progression of Jones.
Result – Bruseles is overmatched in too many categories, with speed, size, and age favoring Jones. The only hope Bruseles has is that Jones is not up to snuff in ring maturity, and that his acumen makes Jones hesitate. I don’t see that, and even if it does at the beginning of the fight, the combination of Jones’ power and Bruseles’ average chin will change the fight at an instant. I like Jones to corner and stop Bruseles somewhere around the sixth round.
From Puerto Rico & Mexico (PPV) Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. (17-0-1) vs. Marvin Sonsona (14-0-1) (WBO junior featherweight belt) (PPV) Rodel Mayol (26-4-1) vs. Omar Nino (28-3-1) (The Ring Magazine #2 junior flyweight vs. The Ring’s #9) (WBC junior flyweight belt) (PPV) Jonathan Oquendo (17-2) vs. Reynaldo Lopez (30-7-3)
Reynaldo Lopez – Stop me if you heard this before. A hard-hitting Colombian, whose power dissipates outside of Colombia’s boundaries. 36-year-old, two-time title challenger, has a good record and knocked out 21 of 30 victims. Only scored one kayo abroad, but it was a significant one where Lopez handed prospect Mike Oliver his first loss. Until the kayo punch, Lopez was getting out-boxed comprehensively by Oliver, and this was also the last good win on Lopez record. The Oliver upset was in 2008, and Lopez has not won a bout since and been knocked out by Jhonny Gonzalez and Victor Fonseca. No shame there, since both have title shots in their future. Is a southpaw, but opens himself up on defense, trying to land looping punches that are thrown from too long a distance. Throwing from that distance is even more dangerous, given Lopez’s fading hand speed. Has been stopped in two of his last three bouts, but given his past performances, will not enter the fight gun-shy. Long left hand is his best weapon, but it has slowed, which will lessen its sting. Lopez ended Mike Oliver’s title aspirations, and hopes to do the same with Oquendo.
Jonathan Oquendo – A talented amateur who barely missed out on making Puerto Rico’s Olympic team, but displayed good ability in international tourneys. Was highly coveted when he turned pro in 2004, which showed in his being the first Puerto Rican signed by Golden Boy Promotions (since expired). Has not lived up to his hype to date. Was cruising along until his 13th fight, where he was disqualified after a third point deduction for hitting journeyman Oscar Andrade below the belt. That came right after Oquendo’s best victory, stopping 60-fight (51-8) veteran Alejandro Montiel in one round. Tried to recoup from first loss too quickly, and rushed into a fight with island rival Juan Manuel Lopez, who stopped him in three one-sided rounds. Has rebounded with three decent wins, and has plenty of life left in him at 26. For a smaller guy, stocky at 5’4”, does not rely on speed as his main weapon, preferring to overwhelm foes with aggression and volume punching. Refuses to relent in his attack of the body, as his disqualification proves (and a point loss for low blow against Jose Beranza). Two fights ago, stopped Felix Flores with a great body shot. He might not like me saying it, and it can be considered ethnically insensitive or stereotyping, but Oquendo boxes more like a Mexican than Puerto Rican, stylistically. This is not a fight that tells us if Oquendo is championship caliber, but a good measuring tool, given Lopez’s results against quality foes.
Result – Aging veterans don’t like to be matched with physically imposing youngsters, and that is exactly what Oquendo is. A stylistic slaughter, with Lopez unable to work effectively in retreat mode. The body work wears Lopez down early, and a quick combination finishes the job before the fourth round.
Omar Nino – In his fifth pro fight, knocked out future champion Jorge Arce, and continued coming up the hard way, losing for the first time to future title challenger Gilberto Keb Baas in his 15th outing. Is now 33-years old, and looking at what might be his last title fight opportunity. Came to attention of American boxing fans by pulling a major upset against Brian Viloria, on the Versus network, but had his roll stopped by testing positive for amphetamines (supposedly a false positive, which Nino stated the Nevada State Athletic Commission apologized for) after a draw with Viloria in his first title defense. Served a one-year suspension, and lost a close split decision to Juanito Rubillar in his first fight back. Bounced back with three consecutive wins, including a rematch victory over Rubillar in his last fight. Has been a pro for 15 years, with nearly 200 rounds of boxing, and is slicker than his forward-moving style implies. Has slowed, but is still a threat with his big right hand and unremitting tactical moves. Is a thinking fighter, whose varied arsenal allows him to go after openings from head to hip. Wins because of accuracy, not wasting many punches despite high output. Only has a 33% kayo ratio, mostly because Nino even picks his shots when opponents are hurt and does not swarm in combinations. There is a five-year age difference in favor of Mayol. However, the one-year suspension might help Nino out in the long run, as he was in the midst of a lot of tough fights and the break did his body good.
Rodel Mayol – The Filipino has gained a reputation as a dirty fighter, with headbutts featuring prominently in fights with Ivan Calderon and Edgar Sosa. I never saw Mayol as a top-five guy, The Ring has him rated at number two in the flyweight division, but he’s more along a bottom top ten or just-outside-a-ranking-fighter. Lack of a world-class chin prevented him from breaking through earlier in his career against world-class opposition, but he has improved his defense to compensate for the flaw. On offense, Mayol has a very good mix of speed and power, preferring to use his power to move straight at opponents. This, despite a very good amateur career (a five-time national champion), which grounded Mayol with an accurate but underutilized jab. Might have had his best performance in a loss for an alphabet title against Eagle Kyowa/Akakura/Den Junlaphan, repeatedly rocking the champion before faltering in the late rounds to lose a split decision. That fight took a lot out of Mayol, and he lost two of his next three fights via stoppage (to very good opponents, including Ulises Solis). Had a hectic 2009, losing twice to Ivan Calderon (clearly the best flyweight in the world) and controversially won the WBC title after a headbutt prevented Edgar Sosa from continuing. At age 28, is in his physical prime, and reportedly looking good in sparring sessions at the Wild Card gym. Mayol always has the proverbial puncher’s chance, hitting equally hard with either hand and has faced elite competition. This week, openly wondered if he would get a fair look from the judges given his last victory in Mexico.
Result – A lot of “X” factors in this fight, with Mayol hard to judge from performances in 2009 and Nino’s hometown edge, but age disadvantage. In the end, it comes down to which fighter has more overall ability. That goes to Nino, who also enters with a lot of confidence from interviews I have read. I do not have as high an opinion of Mayol, as most, and see him abandoning amateur tendencies for overly aggressive slugging, as a negative. Nino will have to rally; I give the edge to Mayol early, but the combination of Nino’s pressure and Mayol’s tendency to fade late will make for interesting championship rounds. A knockdown in Nino’s favor in the final round seals a tight split decision win.
Marvin Sonsona – I was exceedingly high on Sonsona until his last fight, where the junior bantamweight came in two-and-a-half pounds overweight and struggled to a draw with Mexican journeyman Alejandro Hernandez. Lopez has now skipped two weight classes to fight for the junior featherweight title. The 19-year old southpaw already won a title belt, the WBO version, dispatching an underrated Jose Lopez over 12 grueling rounds. This Filipino, like countryman Manny Pacquiao, has knockout power (80% kayo ratio), and displayed previously hidden versatility, outboxing veteran Jose Lopez (who had not lost in eight years) to win the title. At 5’7”, Sonsona is just as tall as Pacquiao, but uses that size more in the controlled style of an Alexis Arguello than Pacquiao. Early returns, and his physique, indicate Sonsona possess the tools to win titles in multiple weight classes. But only if his head does not swell too much with accolades, which his not making weight could suggest. Has legitimate power, and surprised many with his cunning against the more experienced Jose Lopez in the late rounds. The youngster displayed a calm mind as well as judicious ring movement after getting cut, and absorbed nearly half a dozen low blows without retaliating. Stamina was a concern entering the Lopez fight, with Sonsona having only gone five rounds previously, but he was not worn down by the exceedingly tough scrap against a more physical foe. A fantastic prospect that showed he can overcome a durable championship quality veteran, but can he duplicate that performance against a young gun like himself?
Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. – The son of borderline Hall of Famer Wilfredo Vazquez, who did not start to box until age 19 and never had an amateur bout. Obviously a quick study, he has stopped 14 of 17 victims in a four year career. Has appeared a lot on Telemundo’s fight cards, displaying great hand speed and a boxer/punchers attitude under his father’s invaluable guidance. Was an attraction as well, drawing sellout crowds in southern Florida with his fast fists and charisma. Despite having less than 100 rounds of experience, has a good feel for the ring, not smothering punches or throwing combinations for the sake of throwing a punch. Goes to the body well, and has looked good trying out different styles on lesser boxers. Moved from slugger to counterpuncher as he saw fit, but not as fluently in the course of a fight. May lack muscle-memory reflexes, but his eyes and quick reaction time have served him well on defense. Has been rocked at least twice, and you have to wonder how Vasquez will react when faced with a speedy southpaw for the first time. Showed good stamina and late power, stopping hard-hitting Mexican Victor Martinez, two years ago. In his last fight, stopped three-time title challenger Genaro Garcia, jabbing and countering his way to an easy stoppage victory in the seventh round. Again, Vazquez worked to the body for a greater cause, and showed good finishing instincts as well. At times, Vazquez seems too confident for his own good, having had his way in most fights. Vazquez believes he can control a ring and win, despite lack of amateur training.
Result – Some things cannot be taught and need to be experienced. That is where Sonsona has an edge, raised to fight instead of coming to boxing, after dropping out of college to chase this title dream. Sonsona’s win over Jose Lopez is what will get him through this fight, knowing that he can do this and that Vazquez has not cleared that mental hurdle. Also having the advantage of being a southpaw, Vazquez has never seen punches coming at him this fast from those angles. That is a huge adjustment to make on the fly, and will, at the very least, cost him early rounds. This is a hard fight to gauge. Vazquez has the hometown advantage, but has only fought on the island. Unless Vazquez makes a fight-altering adjustment in the middle rounds, Sonsona puts his stamp on the fight by accelerating down the stretch employing his superior height and reach. I could even see Sonsona scoring a late stoppage, but will make a pick of Sonsona by unanimous decision.
Prediction record for 2010 to date: 78% (29-8)
