Freddie Roach: Jesus Cuellar Can Win Titles at 130 and 135

By Ryan Burton

Former champion Jesus Cuellar (28-2, 21 KOs) surprised many when he weighed in at 124 pounds for his December 10th featherweight fight against Abner Mares that headlined a Showtime  televised doubleheader. He was very flat in the fight and didn't display any of his trademark power.

He ended up losing a split decision but Mares dominated most of the action and most ringside observers had the four-time champion winning the fight going away.

Freddie Roach, Cuellar's trainer, believes that his fighter should immediately move up to the super featherweight division. 

"I would like to see him at 130. I think he should move up. That was the lightest he has ever weighed. He thought he would have to take his shorts off to make weight and then he weighed 124 and he only put 10 pounds back on and he usually puts much more than that and you saw how sluggish he was," said Roach.

"It is very unusual. He thought he would need a towel to weigh in and then he came in light and I don't know why it happened."

Cuellar fights under the PBC banner and a move up to 130 could lead to a fight against the winner of the Jose Pedraza-Gervonta Davis IBF super featherweight title fight that takes place on January 14th.

Roach expects Cuéllar to be much more effective at the higher weight.

"I think he will be a bigger puncher and more durable at 130 and take a better shot. Obviously I train him and see him in the gym and know how much he struggles to make weight. I think he can win titles at 130 and 135," Roach told BoxingScene.com.

Send questions or comments to ringsidewriter@gmail.com. You can follow Ryan on Twitter @ringsidewriter