By Jake Donovan
Mauricio Herrera and Hank Lundy are primed and ready for their crossroads bout Saturday evening in Los Angeles, California.
The pair of hard-luck veterans square off in what serves as the last ever boxing event at the famed LA Sports Arena. Plans call for the historic venue to be demolished and replaced by an outdoor stadium. The bout will air live on HBO Latino.
Herrera is coming off of what many felt should have been a career-defining year, yet somehow managed just one win in three fights in 2014. The Californian was deemed unfortunate to have not walked away with decision wins over Danny Garcia and Jose Benavidez. Titles were at stake in both fights, including the World lineal 140 lb. championship versus Garcia. All that the 35-year old Herrera walked away with from either occasion was industry-wide respect as his opponents escaped with highly questionable decisions.
A loss to Benavidez last December served as Herrera’s last fight to date. The bout came one week after Lundy came up short in a spirited 10-round loss to Thomas Delorme. Both bouts aired live on HBO.
Lundy had won three straight heading into the fight, but in recent years has become better known for his willingness to taking on all comers more so than actually landing a win. The Philly product had a chance to redefine that image, but blew his chances at a fight with 2014 Boxcino lightweight winner Petr Petrov when he showed up nearly a full division over the agreed-upon contractual weight.
There was no such issue for the 31-year old on Friday, showing up lean and trim in vowing to pull off the upset over Herrera.
Read on to see how the staff at BoxingScene.com believe Saturday's junior welterweight action goes down.
BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: MAURICIO HERRERA vs. HENRY LUNDY
Ryan Burton (Herrera UD): In a battle of tough luck fighters, I believe Herrera will come out on a top by winning a close but clear decision.
Jake Donovan (Lundy Dec.): Without having to starve himself to make weight, I like a full-strength version of Lundy to give Herrera fits and take a decision that will naturally produce plenty of debate.
Michael Gibbons (Herrera TKO10): Potential to be a FOTY candidate. Herrara's activity and conditioning down the stretch will help him find openings against Lundy's wild looping shots.
Takahiro Onaga (Herrera UD): This is very tough bout to call but I think the hard working and unlucky Herrera gets a big win and doesn't get robbed this time around.
Cliff Rold (Herrera Dec.): Herrera should be the World Champion at 140 lbs. Lundy is always fun TV but isn't quite at the same level. Herrera with a clear decision.
Victor Salazar (Lundy SD): Might be the most evenly matched fight of the weekend. Herrera should have been 3-0 last year and in line for Fighter of the Year consideration. Instead, he had two tough losses against Danny Garcia and Jose Benavidez Jr.. However he faces a different style fighter, much more slick and not as stationary as Garcia or Benavidez. I think the tricky style will give Herrera trouble in a fight that will give Lundy the nod slightly.
Alexey Sukachev (Herrera UD): Herrera was robbed twice in 2014. He should be avenged in 2015. Lundy can produce a surprisingly solid performance (like one against Olusegan) but basically he reminds me of Kendall Holt - very unstable. Assumption is his best day won't come this Saturday, and he will outworked handily.
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox