By Jake Donovan
For a routine title defense, Pedro Guevara’s showdown with unbeaten Richard Claveras has managed to generate quite a bit of attention.
Perhaps the aspect of the ongoing in-ring rivalry between Mexico and Philippines is at the forefront of this weekend’s battle. Guevara gets a home game, fighting in his hometown of Mazatlan on Saturday as Claveras ventures outside of Philippines for the first time in his young career.
As many of Mexico’s finest are throwing their support behind Guevara (24-1-1, 16KOs), Claveras finds himself backed by his countryman.
Jonathan Taconing – who set the tone by knocking out Ramon Garcia last weekend in Mexico – is angling for Claveras (12-0-2, 12KOs) to follow suit. The support comes even with the possibility of a future clash between the two as Taconing is the mandatory challenger for the 108 lb. at stake.
Interest in the fight has even extended to the biggest star to ever come out of the Philippines.
“This is going to be another boxing war between Philippines and Mexico,” insists Manny Pacquaio, who took the time to briefly speak to the Mexican media while training for his titanic May 2 showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas.
While Pacquiao wouldn’t go into detail, the reigning welterweight titlist and worldwide superstar foresees a convincing win for Claveras in an emotionally fueled fight.
Guevara makes the first defense of the 108 lb. title he captured on the road with a 7th round stoppage of former two-division champ Akira Yaegashi late last December in Japan.
Saturday’s bout will air live on Televisa as part of the network’s Sabados de Box series.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
