Quick Work
WBO junior featherweight titleholder Daniel Ponce De Leon finished off Gerson Guerrero in two rounds and seemed calm despite having his bout taken off the televised portion of the fight card. “It doesn’t matter,” Ponce De Leon said after a right uppercut followed by a crushing left hand walloped Guerrero for the count.
“All I try to do is make entertaining fights.”
Although promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, the left-hander’s lack of defense and crude fighting style has turned off many of his previous backers. A new Filipino named Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista may sign to fight Ponce De Leon soon. Both are Golden Boy Promotions fighters. Though only 19, his backers feel he can outbox Ponce De Leon.
New Challenge?
Joan Guzman may be in line to fight Manny Pacquiao after he finishes with Oscar Larios next month. Guzman was last seen dominating Javier Jauregui . It was quite a shock to fight fans who realized Guzman was moving up two weight divisions and still easily handled the Mexican former world champion. “He’s got a good chance against Manny Pacquiao if they fight,” said Tony Rivera, who assists in training Guzman and formerly assisted in training Marco Antonio Barrera. “Guzman would give Manny all he could handle and more.”
Pacquiao meets Larios in Manila on July 2, in the same arena where Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier fought the “Thrilla in Manila.”
Riversider Impressing
Chris Arreola looked good against Sedreck Fields , who has shown he can mess up anybody’s plans. Fields had beaten Shannon Briggs, and Al Cole and gave current WBO heavyweight titleholder Sergei Liakhovich a heck of a time when they fought five years ago. The fighter known as “Big Buck,” didn’t do too poorly against Arreola for a couple of rounds, then the Riverside heavyweight began unloading hellish body blows that took all of the steam from Fields. Down he went. Arreola impressed everyone with his boxing skills, combinations and stamina. Henry Ramirez , who trains Arreola, said an undefeated Florida heavyweight named J. D. Chapman could be next for a televised fight on HBO.
What to Watch
In case you need help deciding which televised boxing show to see June 10, here are some facts to help you decide. In New York City, Paul Malignaggi challenges WBO junior welterweight titleholder Miguel Cotto for his title in Madison Square Garden, during Puerto Rican Day. Also on the same card will be Kevin Kelley against Bobby Pacquiao, that’s power vs. power. They also have Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., a Notre Dame football player named Tommy Z making his pro debut and Irish John Duddy.
Down in Atlantic City, N. J., as Bernard Hopkins attempts to end his pro career with a win over light heavyweight world champion Antonio Tarver, a few other pretty good bouts will take place. Israel Vazquez defends his IBF junior featherweight title against Ivan “Choko” Hernandez . Vazquez was one of the best fighters in any weight division last year and wants to make a good show before moving up in weight. Hernandez is moving up two weight divisions for this fight. He beat Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson for the WBO junior bantamweight title by knockout. In a light middleweight bout, Hector “Machito” Camacho , yes that Camacho, meets Andrey Tsurkan in a 12-round bout for the NABF title. Also, Jorge Paez Jr. and Rock Allen will be included on the fight card.
