This week’s telecast of ESPN’s Friday Night Fights comes live from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, featuring a former super middleweight prospect who dropped down in weight, throwing hands with one of the a former world title challenger and extensive ring veteran.
In the main event of the night, Donovan “Da Bomb” George (24-3-1, 21 KO) meets “The Destroyer”, David Alonso Lopez (41-13, 23 KO.
George captured the USBA super middleweight title in 2011, but relinquished it nearly a year later in a unanimous decision loss to Edwin Rodriguez. Following the loss he was unable to mount any winning streak in 2012, flip-flopping between wins and losses in his subsequent three fights (2-1). Over the past few years George has fought at super middleweight, but had dropped down to middleweight as he was constantly coming in as the smaller fighter. Nonetheless, he went to war each time he stepped between the ropes, and has left it in the ring each outing.
“It’s going to be a great night,” said George. “Every fight is competitive. I made a lot of sacrifices in preparing for this fight. Mr. Lopez is very battle-tested , but he’s had his time. This is my time now. I’m going to make a statement with this fight. Mr. Lopez has fought all the tope guys so when I beat him it’ll be a message to the other middleweights in the world.”
35-year-old veteran Lopez is coming into this fight having won the last 17 of 18 bouts, his only loss coming at the hands of WBA world light middleweight champion Austin Trout. Through his thorough career Lopez has fought more than a handful of top names, and has worked his way to world title challenger status.
If he has any aspirations of raising the belt before his career comes to an end, a win is imminent Friday night against George.
“I’m very well prepared,” said Lopez. “Donovan George has never fought anyone like me. Donovan, thank you for the opportunity and may God Bless you. Let the best man win.”
The style matchup is the well versed veteran of nearly 18 years battling a heavy handed younger fighter in need of making his impact and name felt within the division.
To get the action started Friday night, former world champion Kermit “El Asesino” Cintron (33-5-1, 28 KO) faces Adrian “El Tigre” Granados (11-2-1, 7 KO) in a welterweight matchup.
Boxing commences live on ESPN2 this Friday night, March 22 live from Chicago at 9 p.m.
