Fights to Watch This Weekend
By: José A Maldonado, MFA
Marco Antonio Rubio vs. Jorge Cota – Coahuila, Mexico
“El Veneno” Rubio has challenged for numerous world titles, most recently against Julio César Chávez Jr., a WBC title bout he lost in February via unanimous decision. Including Chávez, Rubio (53-6-1-46 KOs) has faced such top opponents as Kassim Ouma, David Lemieux, and Kelly Pavlik and now looks to get back into the fray at middleweight with a win on Saturday in his hometown. Rubio will be taking on the explosive Jorge Cota (12-0-11 KOs), of Los Mochis, Sinaloa for a WBC belt that José Sulaiman probably found deep within his closet. What the 24 year old Cota lacks in experience he more than makes up for in power, having only gone the distance one time. His most notable win came against Yory Boy Campas in November and if he can pull the upset against Rubio, his punching power will no doubt garner some attention stateside. Rubio, however, may prove to be too skilled for the powerful but limited Cota, a fighter who likes to stand straight up and trade wide bombs. If Rubio can get past the 4th or 5th round, expect him to get the late stoppage or a decision going away. A loss at this point in his career and against a fighter of Cota’s caliber would be devastating, so Rubio should bring his A game.
Roy Jones Jr., vs. Dawid Kostecki – Lodz, Poland
The last time we (and when I say we I mean about 1,000 people or so) saw Roy Jones Jr. in action, he was toying with the terribly overmatched Max Alexander, a victory for which Jones picked up something called the Universal Boxing Organization Intercontinental title. Before this much-needed victory, Jones (55-8-40 KOs) had suffered three straight losses, two of which were disturbing KOs. Now, a once great fighter who used to call the shots will travel to his opponent’s turf, having done so recently in Russia against Denis Lebedev and Australia versus Danny Green (both losses) where he’ll take on Dawid Kostecki (39-1-25 KOs). Kostecki hasn’t beaten anyone of note and has only fought outside of Poland three times. He is, nonetheless, only 30 years old and can pack a punch, thus making him the favorite in this bout. Yes, this is only a 10 round bout between a guy way past his prime and an obscure opponent, but this makes the list because maybe, just maybe, if we’re lucky at least, this will mark the last time Roy Jones Jr. ever steps into the ring as a prizefighter (although, unfortunately, I wouldn’t hold my breath).
Erislandy Lara vs. Freddy Hernández – Indio, CA
Erislandy Lara (16-1-1-11 KOs) is one of those guys who is just too talented for his own good. Having left Cuba and already 29 years old, he’s looking to land a big fight before he gets past his physical prime. Problem is, no one wants to fight him. Last year he outclassed Paul Williams for 12 rounds, only to follow up that performance with an absolutely dominating showing against Ronald Hearns, whom he blew out in the first round. Now he’ll face Freddy Hernández (30-2-20 KOs) in a WBC semifinal eliminator. Despite Hernández’ woeful performance against Andre Berto, a bout in which he was stopped in the first, he has beaten some solid fighters, including Jesus Soto Karass, DeMarcus Corley, Mike Anchondo, and Luis Collazo. Lara, nevertheless, will most likely put on a display of boxing skills that will prove too much for Hernández to handle. Yet even if he wins this bout and the next, does anyone really see Golden Boy letting Lara get his hands on WBC light middleweight champ Canelo Alvarez?
Cornelius Bundrage vs. Cory Spinks – Indio, CA
Yup, we’ve seen this one before and, quite frankly, I have no idea what we’re doing watching it again. You may remember that in August of 2010, Bundrage went to Spinks’ hometown of St. Louis and manhandled him, stopping him in the 5th and taking the IBF light middleweight title with him. Now they will be in California’s Mojave Desert on the Showtime main event, with Spinks hoping for a different outcome. Bundrage (31-4-18 KOs) has been rather inactive for a world champion, fighting only once since claiming the title, a unanimous decision over Sechew Powell. Spinks (39-6-11 KOs) has also beaten Powell since the first fight and also has a win over Shakir Ashanti in an easy touch following the loss. Rumors abound that the winner will get a shot at Canelo in September if Golden Boy is unable to secure Miguel Cotto or Austin Trout. If Bundrage and Spinks have heard these rumors it should spark some fireworks. Spinks’ performance in the first fight, however, did not give us much to hang our hat on, so expect Bundrage to take this one. Again.
Gary Russell Jr. vs. Christopher Pérez – Indio, CA
Russell Jr. is qualified for the 2008 Olympic team as an amateur, is undefeated, has some of the fastest hands in boxing, and once stopped an opponent in under 30 seconds. Yet the highly touted 24 year old from Washington DC has still not faced any tough competition. This routine will continue on Saturday as Russell Jr (19-0-11 KOs)
will step into the ring to face Mexico’s Christopher Pérez (23-2-14 KOs), a 22 year old who will be fighting outside of his home country for the first time. Barring a spectacular upset, Russell will most likely wow the crowd with his lightning combinations and probably stop Pérez, who is in way over his head. At least this time his camp will let him go 10 rounds, but the question is: to what end? When will we see Russell Jr. finally take a step up in competition? And, most importantly, for Russell at least, how will he react to a fighter who is near or at his level? Unfortunately, we won’t get to see that this weekend.
José A Maldonado is senior staff writer at punchrate.com and contributing writer for realcombatmedia.com
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