The Boxing Weekend: Nonito Donaire Headlines on PPV
By Geno McGahee
ESPN 2’s FNF
This Friday night, ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights will feature super featherweight Tyrone Harris, 24-5, 16 KO’s, taking on Ji Hoon Kim, 19-5, 16 KO’s, in a ten round showdown from Temecula, California.
At 23, Kim is on the way up in the super featherweight division. He has won 11 straight, 10 by knockout. In his last fight, he won the IBO Super Featherweight Title with a ninth round stoppage of Zolani Marali, but despite the distinction of being a champion, he is an unknown here in the states. He hopes to change that this Friday night when he collides with Tyrone Harris.
Harris has only one three of his last five outings, but was able to knock out the once defeated Marvin Quintero in his last showing and hopes to stop another fighter on the way up.
Light welterweight, Ruslan Provodnikov, 14-0, 9 KO’s, will be the supporting 10 round bout, as he takes on Javier Jauregui, 53-16-2, 36 KO’s. Provodnikov won the WBO Intercontinental Light Welterweight Title in his last fight and has been facing respectable opposition for the most part. Jauregui is playing the role of spoiler, and this is not something he is unable to do. He recently stopped undefeated Adrian Mora in eight rounds. He has been in the ring with Julio Diaz, Joan Guzman, and Acelino Freitas, and will be looking to upset the undefeated Russian prospect.
Another undefeated Russian fighter, Maxim Vlasov, 15-0, 6 KO’s, will be facing Julius Fogle, 15-1, 10 KO’s, in an eight round light heavyweight showdown. Thus far, Vlasov’s opponents haven’t been that impressive. Fogle, on paper, is a step up and should give Vlasov some trouble.
PPV
WBA Super Flyweight Champion, Nonito Donaire, 22-1, 14 KO’s, was set to defend his title on PPV against challenger Gerson Guerrero, 34-8, 26 KO’s, in a twelve round bout, but the challenger failed an eye exam and the “Filipino Flash” was left without an opponent. Donaire made his splash on the scene when he knocked out the heavily favored Vic Darchinyan in five rounds. He has followed up with four more wins, three of which were by stoppage, but he still hasn’t captured the public’s imagination like the other champion Filipino has, Manny Pacquiao. He is looking to escape the shadow.
Stepping in to fill the spot is the unknown and unremarkable Manuel Vargas, 26-4-1, 11 KO’s. I’m expecting this one to be quick.
In the co-feature, Fernando Montiel, 39-2, 29 KO’s, will be taking on Ciso Morales, 14-0, 8 KO’s, for the WBO Bantamweight Title. Montiel was the long time running WBO Super Flyweight Champion and has moved up to the bantamweight division, already winning the Interim WBO title. On experience alone, this is an incredible mismatch. Morales has yet to face any real adversity or opponent of note. He seems to be in way over his head.
Also on the card, an interim WBO Bantamweight clash between Bernabe Concepcion, 27-3-1, 15 KO’s, and Mario Santiago, 21-4-1, 14 KO’s.
This appears to be a “rent at your own risk” sort of pay per view.
Overall, it’s not that impressive of a weekend for boxing fans.