Top Rank Offers Solid Card on The Plus
Saturday, July 23rd, ESPN+ | 3:25 PM PST / 6:25 PM EST
The title of this card should be put up or shut up. The fighters on this card seemingly are facing one and another at the crossroads of their career, as all four fighters in the final two bouts have adoring fans who believe they can be legends as well as many who doubt their success.
In the main event we have pick’em fight between Joet Gonzalez and Isaac Dogboe at featherweight. A realistic winner could face Robeisy Ramirez, especially if the WBO featherweight title were to go vacant.
Dogboe is a former world champion, who lost twice to who is now considered the best featherweight in Emanuel Navaratte, once via a stoppage. Joet Gonzalez has lost two world title fights, but possible to the two best featherweights of this era, Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navaratte.
Now the two are at the crossroads of being either the guy that tests the young guys, or the guy who rebuilt himself to face a world champion. Add to it, Barry Hunter is now working with Dogboe, and Gonzalez is as motivated as ever, and we have a world-class main event.
Giovanni Cabrera vs. Gabriel Flores Jr. is the most interesting bout to me in a ten-round lightweight fight. Cabrera, who was brought up on Brian Halquist shows in the upper Washington state area, with matches put together by Andy Nance. Cabrera is now working with a new team that includes Freddie Roach running the show, and Steven Feder managing his career, which more than likely came about after or during his time in camp sparring Manny Pacquiao.
The thing is Cabrera had a prime opportunity to win over fight fans as he fought Rene Tellez Giron, the man who beat Karlos Balderas, and also showed up overweight, yet the performance was dominant, but also not thrilling. Something that when you’re a television fighter matters unless you accumulate a slew of world titles.
For Flores Jr., a heavily coveted asset to Top Rank Inc., who lost a shocking decision to Luis Alberto Lopez, last year. It is questions, questions and more questions. His flashy style inside-and-outside of the ring garnered him fans, but with a loss, the criticism was even heavier. Flores Jr., has now been grinding in silence with his father, moving up to the lightweight division after his last win, as this will be his chance to show the world his world champion potential.
This is a fight that has a major impact on the lightweight division, and if the WBO title opens up, the winner could appear in that mix.
Undercard
A big moment for Javier Martinez’s young career as the middleweight who won the 2020 Olympic Trials, but lost his spot to Joseph Hicks, but due to qualifications going to the world rankings saw Troy Isley become the Olympian competing will face Pachino Hill in a six-rounder. You might not know Pachino Hill’s name, but he fought celebrated amateur Suray Mahmutovic to a draw on a PBC card last year. With Martinez getting dropped in a fight in Fresno, California, Martinez will have to answer some questions about his pro career in this fight.
Power-punching featherweight Haven Brady Jr. will face Aaron Echeveste Lopez. Brady has the potential to be a force in this division. The power he has is very real. This is a prime chance for Brady Jr to get a highlight-reel KO.
Guido Vianello should be nearing a big fight, as he faces veteran heavyweight Rafael Rios.
Lightweight Abdullah Mason in a bout against Nelson Morales. Mason is a high upside prospect.
The 2020 Olympic Trials super heavyweight winner Antonio Mireles will be in action against Dennys Reyes. Mireles will be a natural foil for two marquee heavyweights signed to Top Rank in the next few years in Jared Anderson, and the man who he lost his spot to at the 2020 Olympics, Richard Torrez Jr. Keep an eye on Mireles, who is a marathon runner, freak athlete and roughly six-foot, seven-inches.
Dante “Free Smoke” Benjamin Jr. will face Corey Thompson, as he is co-trained by Prenice Brewer, who also works with Delante “Tiger” Johnson. Benjamin is a big puncher, who could get a highlight-reel win.
Thompson Boxing
The main event will see George Acosta headline his first Thompson Boxing card as he faces veteran Isaac Avelar in a eight-round bout.
Middleweight Richard Brewart Jr. will look to make a statement against Ramon Ayala, a battle-tested veteran.
A sneaky good undercard bout will see Japhethlee Llamido face upset minded Dihul Olguin. Olguin holds a lot of upset wins over prospects in his career. This is an interest trajectory test for Llamido, a fighter that in the amateurs I saw a high upside in as a pro.
Club Shows
Heavyweight Fernely Feliz Jr, and Kasir “Mazzi” Goldston will fight in Albany, New York this Friday in separate bouts. I really like both fighters, and I like the upside on Goldston.
In the L.A. area Christian Camacho will face Alexis De Luna in a very good bout on the club show level. Other notables on this Red Promotions card, heavyweight Jack May who has been around for awhile, and I could see facing a prospect soon, as well as Luis Rubalcava.
Undefeated flyweight Christian Robles will fight in Pomona, California this week.
Steven Galeano and Joseph Adorno will fight in separate bouts in Orlando.
William Foster III returns against Avery Sparrow in a good northeastern bout, and 130 lbs Christian Tapia will put his undefeated record on the line against undefeated Fernando Romero
“Big Baby” Miller will take his second fight at heavyweight since being on leave from the sport after a drug failure.
MMA In 500 Words Or Less
A U.K.-based UFC card will happen this weekend with American heavyweight Curtis Blaydes taking on Tom Aspinall in the main event. Notable fighters on the undercard, Jack Hermansson, Paddy Pimblett, and Molly McCann, all in separate bouts.
Douglas Lima fights on Bellator’s card this weekend on Showtime
Olga Rubin vs. Taneisha Tennant will be the main event of the Invicta FC card. Interesting undercard bouts, Melissa Oddessa Parker as well as the Bay Area’s Amber Leibrock, in separate bouts.