The backdrop: Blanco (6-0, 2 KOs), an amateur star from Venezuela, gets some much-needed exposure with this Fight Night Club main event. The 25-year-old boxer, who is trained by Robert Garcia in Oxnard, Calif., is far behind amateur peers — such as 2008 Olympic champ James DeGale, who he beat during the ?07 World Championships, and Matvey Korobov, who he lost to in the finals — in terms of professional development. He needs to be busier and look good while he?s at it if he ever hopes to land pro bouts against his amateur rivals. Blanco, who stands at least 6-foot-1 and appears to have the wingspan of a light heavyweight, should look sharp against Sims (5-9, 3 KOs), a 27-year-old journeyman who is coming off three consecutive losses and hasn?t fought in three years.
Also fighting: Ernesto Ocon vs. Javier Albonica, sx rounds, welterweights
Rating the card: C-. Blanco is talent worth keeping an eye on and Ocon (4-0, 2 KOs) is an entertaining local fighter, but neither fight appears competitive on paper.
Prediction: Blanco pitches a shutout decision.
FRIDAY
BRANDON GONZALES vs. OSSIE DURAN
Rounds / weight class: middleweight
Location: Atlantic City, N.J.
Television: Showtime
The backdrop: Gonzales (14-0, 10 KOs), a bright and versatile prospect from Sacramento, Calif., takes on the most dangerous opponent of his career in his ShoBox: The New Generation debut. Duran (26-8-2, 10 KOs) is as tough and savvy as they come. The 34-year-old veteran has never been stopped and nobody has ever had an easy night against the New Jersey-based Ghanaian, including then-undefeated James Kirkland and Fernando Guerrero. Gonzales, who recently signed a promotional deal with Goossen Tutor, has his work cut out for him but new trainer Virgil Hunter — Andre Ward?s longtime coach — should have him ready. On the undercard, 21-year-old amateur standout Javier Molina (9-0, 4 KOs), continues to make up for lost time due to chronic hand injuries with his fifth bout of 2011, a showdown fellow Southern California prospect Artemio Reyes (13-1, 11 KOs), by far the most formidable opponent of the 2008 U.S. Olympian?s career. Reyes, a 25-year-old boxer-puncher from Colton, Calif., has only lost once as a pro, a four-round decision to fellow prospect Mike Dallas Jr. in his second pro bout.
Also fighting: Javier Molina vs. Artemio Reyes, eight rounds, junior middleweights
Rating the card: B+. This is another ShoBox dandy (the series has been on a roll in recent weeks). Both of the ?favorites,? Gonzales and Molina, are in with the best opponents they?ve ever faced as pros, and both matchups should feature a mix of quality boxing and action.
Prediction: Gonzales wins a very close decision.
