Cuadras Eyes September Return For First Title Defense
Jul 23, 2014 • 9:34 AM ET
By Jake Donovan
Carlos Cuadras will make the first defense of his 115 lb. title this September in Mexico, against an opponent to be determined, according to a recent statement from promoter Promociones del Pueblo.
The unbeaten 25-year old claimed the WBC title with a grueling technical decision win over Srisaket Sor Rungvisai this past May in Mexico City. The fight ended in the eighth round when a headbutt left Cuadras (30-0, 24KOs) cut over his left eye, with the damage deemed too severe to continue.
With the wound fully healed, the newly crowned titlist is preparing for all comers.
A variety of opponents have been rumored for his first title defense. Mentioned among the lot is unbeaten contender Ivan Morales, the younger brother of Mexican boxing legend and former four-division champ Erik Morales. Such a matchup landing as Cuadras’ first title defense is largely dependent on how Morales (25-0, 14KOs) fares this weekend, as he faces Sergio Frias in a Fox Sports 1-televised bout in Indio, California.
Another name mentioned—and a more likely candidate–is countryman José Salgado, currently ranked #3 by the WBC and for the moment not scheduled to fight in the near future. Salgado (34-2-1, 27KOs) is riding an eight-fight unbeaten streak since a 12-round points loss to Liborio Solis in their Dec. ’11 interim title fight. Included among that stretch is a 12-round win over Oscar Blanquet, climbing off the canvas to prevail in their regional title fight this past June.
Other opponents under consideration are former strawweight titlist and current super flyweight contender Oleydong Sithsamerchai; former 115 lb. champ Rodrigo Guerrero, who fights this weekend in Mexico; and a possible rematch with Sor Rungvisai, who hasn’t fought since the loss to Cuadras.
Former flyweight titlist Luis Concepcion (31-3, 22KOs) was also mentioned, though such a fight is wishful thinking at the moment. The free swinging knockout artist from Panama is moving up in weight, but already has a fight scheduled in August versus Colombia’s Duvan Hernandez, with the winner likely to land a shot at Cuadras later this year.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com, as well as the Records Keeper for the Transnational Boxing Ratings Board and a member of Boxing Writers Association of America. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox
Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home.
