Takashi Miura vs. Francisco Vargas
The main event isn't the only reason to watch Saturday's HBO PPV card, the undercard is stacked. Of all the undercard fights the one that could prove to be the most exciting is the co-feature which puts Takashi Miura against Francisco Vargas. That fight is scheduled to go 12 rounds in the junior lightweight division and Miura's WBC belt will be on the line. What also makes this fight exciting is the fact that both men are near the top of their division so it is a matchup that is very even, something not often seen in boxing.
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| Miura will be making his U.S. debut |
Many fans in the U.S. have probably never seen Miura fight. That is because all of his bouts have come in his native Japan except for one fight in Mexico. Miura is a southpaw with very good power. Like most Japanese fighter Miura is not adverse to standing and trading and his uppercuts work very well at close range. One thing Miura doesn't do much of is jab, and that may be because he is always fighting from the pocket. What Miura does like to do is throw a quick lead right hook but his best weapon is his left hand. Whether he throws it straight or over the top Miura can drop opponents. However, because of his offense first style Miura can be hit and he has been knocked out once in his career.
When it comes to junior lightweights Miura is one of the best and he holds a career record of 29-2-2 and he has a very impressive 22 knockouts. While Miura might not be very well known in the States he does have some impressive names on his resume, most notably Billy Dib who he starched in the 3rd round of their 2015 fight and Sergio Thompson who he beat in 2013. However, Miura did lose the biggest fight of his career when he took on Takashi Uchiyama who got off the deck to force Miura to retire from the fight after the 8th round. This will be a big opportunity to make a name for himself in the U.S. if he is able to turn in an impressive performance against Vargas.
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| Vargas has Olympic pedigree |
Vargas is best described as a boxer-puncher and he fights equally well from the outside or in close. The best weapon that Vargas has may be his jab which lands crisply and he will often double it up. When he gets in close Vargas likes to rip left hooks downstairs and he also has a dangerous overhand right. Vargas is an aggressive fighter and at times he can get reckless with his attack which leaves him open for return fire and defense is not a strong area for Vargas.
Even though Vargas is already 30 years old he seems much younger. That may be because unlike many Mexican fighters who turn pro at a young age Vargas competed in the 2008 Olympics and didn't turn pro until 2010. In the past year or so Vargas has really come into is own and is now a legitimate title contender with Saturday's fight being his first shot at a real title. In his short career Vargas holds a record of 22-0-1 with 16 knockouts and he has a very impressive win over Juan Manuel Lopez when sent Lopez into a brief retirement. But much like it is for Miura, Saturday's bout will be the biggest of Vargas' career.
If any fight is going to steal the spotlight from the main event it will be this one. Now the odds of that actually happening are slim to none because the main event should be an absolute war, but this fight won't be too far behind when it comes to action and excitement. Both fighters have similar styles and flaws defensively and while Miura has more power it is Vargas who is the more active fighter and judges love activity. This fight is important to the careers of both men and the winner could really make a name for himself.
PREDICTION: Francisco Vargas seems to be really coming into his own but his recklessness may do him in in this fight. Takashi Miura may not be as active as Vargas but his right hand is deadly, especially against a fighter like Vargas who leaves himself open. This will be a good fight while it lasts but it won't make it to the final bell because Miura will get the 11th round knockout.
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Drian Francisco
A late edition to Saturday's undercard is Guillermo Rigondeaux who recently signed with new promoter Roc Nation Sports. This will be Rigondeaux's first fight of 2015 and he currently claims the top spot in Big Time Boxing's pound-for-pound rankings. Rigondeaux will be challenged by Drian Francisco who will be making his fourth ring appearence of 2015. The fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the junior featherweight division and fans of Rigondeaux hope he uses this high profile card to make a statement.
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| Rigondeaux is ranked #1 by Big Time Boxing |
Rigondeaux is a southpaw who is slicker than baby oil and who fights ina classic Cuban style of hit and don't be hit. Rigondeaux, who goes by the nickname "El Chacal" has very fast hands and his footwork is incredible. The Cuban is such a slick defensive fighter that he could probably win a fight with nothing but his jab and movement. However, Rigondeaux can also flash some power and his straight right hand is a dangerous weapon. His right hook isn't a punch he uses terribly often but when he does it is usually a counter punch as an opponent comes in wildly. At times "El Chacal" almost looks bored in the ring because no one has really given him a true challenge.
The biggest fight of Rigondeaux's career came in 2013 when he took on reigning Fighter of the Year Nonito Donaire. Although Rigondeaux suffered a late knockdown in that fight it was clear that he was in control and he got the win by the way of unanimous decision. Rigondeaux was also dropped twice in his most recent fight by Hisashi Amagasa but when Ridondeaux does get dropped it has always been a flash knockdown. Since turning pro in 2009 Rigondeaux has remained perfect with a record of 15-0 with a solid 10 knockouts. The problem for Rigondeaux is that casual fans don't like his defense first style and television networks have been hesitant to put him on air. That is why it is important for Rigondeaux to not only win this fight but also look good doing it.
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| Francisco has the power to pull off the upset |
The biggest stage that Francisco has been on in the U.S. came against Chris Avalos back in 2013 on the now defunct Friday Night Fights on ESPN. This stage completely dwarfs that one and Rigondeaux is a much better fighter than Avalos is which could spell trouble for Francisco. Francisco will need to rely on his power which he has flashed throughout his career and that power has helped him run his record to 28-3-1 with a very strong 22 knockouts but to get victory number 29 he will need to be perfect.
This fight is really all about how Rigondeaux looks. It has been almost a year since Rigondeaux was in the ring so Francisco should look to jump on him early and try to catch him cold because that may be his only real chance to win the fight. While Francisco will always have a punchers chance punches aren't easy to land on the elusive Cuban. It will be interesting to see if Rigondeaux is business as usual or if he decides to be more aggressive and really attack Francisco. Either way fans of the sweet science should enjoy his excellent pugilistic skills.
PREDICTION: Drian Francisco does have a punchers chance but that punch will never come. Guillermo Rigondeaux is way too slick for Francisco to catch with any consistency and it will be an easy night for the Cuban boxer. Rigondeaux may not score the knockout but he will win this fight in a near shutout by the way of unanimous decision.
Jayson Velez vs. Ronny Rios
The opening bout on the HBO PPV card will feature a young Puerto Rican fighter who undoubtedly wants his name mentioned with the Miguel Cotto's and Felix Trinidad's of the world someday. That fighter is Jayson Velez and he is set to go up against Ronny Rios in a 10-round bout in the featherweight division, one of the deepest in boxing.
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| Velez will have the Puerto Rican fans behind him |
Velez is an orthodox fighter who is fairly tall for his division at 5-foot 8-inches. Velez has quick hands and that quickness allows him to get off with his jab which he follows up nicely with a stiff straight right hand. His money punch though is his left hook and just like Miguel Cotto he likes to bang it to the body. Velez is at his best when he is keeping his hands busy, at times he will have lulls in action and that is where he usually gets touched up. While Velez certainly doesn't have top end power he does have enough pop on his punches to make opponents respect him.
The biggest shot of Velez's career came in 2014 when he took on "El Ruso Mexicano" or "The Mexican Russian" Evgeny Gradovich for Gradovich's IBF World featherweight title. That fight ended in a draw and now Velez is trying to fight his way back to another shot at the title. For his career he has put together a record of 23-0-1 with a solid 16 knockouts but before he can get another shot at the title he will need to get passed Ronny Rios.
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| Saturday will be a huge stage for the young Rios |
Rios is also an orthodox fighter and like Velez he too is tall for the division at 5-foot 7-inches. Rios has a solid jab but he really uses that punch to set up his strong straight right hand. The left hook from Rios is at times a dangerous weapon when he throws it short, however, often times he gets wild with that punch and it doesn't land very often. One problem for Rios is that he appears mechanical in the ring, almost as if he is thinking of what he needs to do before he does it and that delays him a split second. This allows opponents to counter him, something fans saw when he took on Robinson Castellanos.
Castellanos is the best opponent that Rios has faced and he was able to stop Rios standing in the 5th round after putting a beating on him for most of the fight. The biggest win for Rios was probably his 2013 victory over Rico Ramos and as it stands now his record is 24-1 but he only has 10 knockouts. There is no doubt this will be the biggest fight of Rios' career but there is doubt as to whether he can come out on top.
This fight should be a solid scrap and a good appetizer for what is to come. Velez is more powerful and probably better overall but this is a huge opportunity for Rios and he may rise to the occasion. Look for both fighters to try to establish their jabs and whoever does so could end up being the victor.
PREDICTION: Ronny Rios is a solid scrapper but Jayson Velez is just a step up in class at this point. Velez won't score a spectacular knockout in this fight but he will wear Rios down enough to stop him in the 8th round.
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