By Jackie Kallen
This is an interesting weekend for fights. I am looking forward to several of the match-ups. Starting on Friday night (on ESPN2) I will be watching the Isaac Chilemba/Edison Miranda fight.
Chilemba is a tough South African who is looking to make a name for himself over here in the States. He is 24 years old and has an 18-1 record. His only loss, almost five years ago, was a decision loss against Wilbeforce Shihepo, whom he beat four months later in a rematch. He is hungry and has a lot to prove.
Miranda is a journeyman, who at 31 years old has had a very up-and-down career. He went the distance with Andre Ward, but got KOed by Lucian Bute. He lost to Kelly Pavlik and Arthur Abraham, but has been in there with much stronger opposition than Chilemba. This is a good test for Isaac, but considering that three of Miranda’s six losses were stoppages, I am looking for early night for the younger man.
On Saturday night in Texas, HBO will present another Julio Cesar Chavez, jr. fight. The opponent this time will be experienced Marco Antonio Rubio. The network is high on Chavez, jr. so they consider Rubio a game, but beatable, foe. They know what they are doing and they don’t plan on Chavez, jr. losing.
At 31, Rubio is not new to the game. He’s been in with some name fighters and has amassed 259 rounds. He lost a title match against Kelly Pavlik a few years ago, but has won ten straight since then. This will be a respectable bout, but I’d be surprised to see Rubio get the win.
In the co-main event, one of my former boxers–Nonito Donaire–defends his WBO Super Bantamweight title against Wilfredo Vasquez, jr. This should be a hell of a fight. Both men have 18 KOs on their record, both have only lost once, and they are close in age and height. The difference is that Donaire’s loss was a decision back in 2001, when I managed him. Vasquez, jr. lost to Jorge Arce less than a year ago and may still be having flashbacks and nightmares.
I can’t see Nonito losing this one.
Also on the undercard is undefeated Vanes Martirosyan. He doesn’t have a very tough fight, though, so I don’t think his 0 will go. He is facing
41 year old Troy Lowry, who turned pro when Vanes was a six year old in first grade. I’d have a better chance beating Martirosyan.
Jackie Kallen is a boxing manager who has been in the business for over three decades. Her life inspired the Meg Ryan film “Against the Ropes” and she was a part of the NBC series “The Contender.” www.JackieKallen.com, www.facebook.com/JackieKallen