By Gary Purfield Jhonny Gonzalez put on an impressive performance, defending his WBC Featherweight title against Rogers Mtagwa in the main event of an ESPN Deportes televised card. The event served as an opener to the big fight weekend and prelude to Mexican Independence Day celebration over the weekend. Gonzalez spent the first minute of the fight feeling out his … [Read more...]
Jhonny Gonzalez-Rogers Mtagwa to Headline ESPN Deportes Show Thursday
By Fox Doucette WBC featherweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez (49-7, 43 KOs) takes on Rogers Mtagwa (27-14-2, 19 KOs) Thursday at 9:00 Eastern/6:00 Pacific time on ESPN Deportes with the belt at stake as the main event of a card in El Paso, Texas that will serve as an appetizer for the big fights to come this weekend while simultaneously celebrating the anniversary of Mexico's … [Read more...]
Real Little Rocky Story: Rogers Mtagwa Gets a Final Shot at a Dream
By Gary Purfield Journeyman, trial horse, opponent; all titles used to describe those guys in boxing that fight the future star. He is the guy you put in with your hot prospect so he can get some experience. Maybe that opponent has just enough skill to make it interesting, but not enough to threaten the precious unbeaten record. Perhaps the opponent has a particular skill … [Read more...]
JuanMa’s War Within a War
by Paul Magno Juan Manuel Lopez's (30-0, 27 KOs) path was supposed to be clear. He was to be the next big featherweight in a long line of historic names in the 126 lb. division and, as Miguel Cotto entered into the final phase of his career, the heir apparent to the coveted honorary title of "Puerto Rico's Champion." From decorated amateur star to Olympian to his … [Read more...]
Can Marquez stop the rise of JuanMa Lopez?
by Paul Magno Everything the critics say about Rafael Marquez is true. The 35-year old Marquez is not the same after his brutal, almost inhuman series with Israel Vazquez. Some would call him shot, others prefer the more diplomatic, "shopworn." It's also true that Marquez is a natural bantamweight fighting two full divisions above his optimal weight against, arguably, … [Read more...]