By Cliff Rold
Last week, it was Paul Williams; the week before, Edwin Valero. This week, it’s about another of the superstars developing into Boxing’s immediate future. While the lack of an ESPN2 Friday Night Fights show will certainly be felt, this is a seven day spread which should appeal to the most discerning fight fans.
This is a thinking fans week and these are the picks to go with it.
Pick It: Yuriorkis Gamboa-Jose Rojas (Showtime, Friday, 11 PM EST/PST)
ShoBox long ago supplanted Boxing After Dark as the prime spot to catch Boxing’s future best and this weekend it will present what could be a serious test for the 27-year old Cuban super prospect Gamboa (14-0, 12 KO). Now, sure, the fact that it’s for an interim WBA title at 126 lbs. when, last time checked, long reigning champion Chris John has more than met his mandatory obligations is silly. Still, Rojas (25-6-1, 17 KO) went twelve full against John in 2007 and the Venezuelan has been stopped only once, against the tough Yober Ortega in 2001. Between those two losses, he managed a third round knockout of current WBA/IBF Jr. featherweight titlist Celestino Caballero. Gamboa, who has been on the floor a few times already and who isn’t exactly tight defensively, could find himself in for a real test this weekend. Rojas is getting up there, already aged 37 and a pro since 1989, but he’ll bring it for as long as he can. Gamboa has been well managed thus far, making logical progressions and throwing in highlight reel knock outs of set-ups in between. Which will Rojas turn out to be? With the speed and power of Gamboa, it’s always worth finding out.
Pick Pay(?): Donaire-Martinez & Solis-Viloria (Saturday, PPV, 9 PM EST/6PM PST)
There will be some who hear ‘pay-per-view’ and just walk away. Fair enough. This is certainly a buyer’s market kind of show but those who do buy may get some treats in the two featured attractions on this Philippines-based card. Nonito Donaire (20-1, 13 KO) has a live challenge in his third attempted IBF Flyweight title defense. The Texan Martinez (24-0, 14 KO) looked outstanding in his last outing, trouncing fellow undefeated Victor Proa in only a round. Facing Donaire on what will be a home turf (born in the Philippines, he now fights out of Southern California) puts Martinez at a possible disadvantage. He’s exciting enough to tune in for to see if he can overcome. In chief support, IBF Jr. Flyweight titlist Ulises Solis (28-1-2, 20 KO) is going for defense number nine against the former WBC titlist and U.S. Olympian Viloria (24-2, 14 KO). Viloria is at a point where he really can’t afford another big loss; it’s akin to the challenge Rocky Juarez faced against Chris John in February. Anyone remember how that turned out.
Pick Google: Pongsaklek Wonjongkam-Julio Cesar Miranda (?)
Scheduled for the 14th, this one may be over by the time most are reading this week’s picks. Good. By then, the results should clue folks in as to how urgent it will be to check the YouTubes of the world. Thailand’s Wonjongkam (71-3-1, 38 KO) was the lineal and WBC Flyweight champion from 2001-07, breaking the consecutive title defense reign of the great Miguel Canto. He’s won four in a row since a draw against the man who took his crown, Daisuke Naito, but none were as dangerous as Miranda (29-3-1, 22 KO). The Mexican has won 21 straight, most notably a savage war in 2008 with undefeated Omar Salado. This could be a hell of a lot of fun and the winner moves to the front of the title contention line.
Back in seven.
Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
