By Carlos Irusta
TWO ARGENTINE BOXERS will fight on the same card in the MGM Grand of Las Vegas, on March 25. In the main event, Marco Antonio Barrera will fight Jesús Chávez, for the IBF lightweight title. Jorge Rodrigo “Hyena” Barrios, from Argentina, WBO junior light champion, will fight mandatory contender Janos Nagy and Javier Alvarez will meet Mexican Manuel “Mantecas” Medina, IBF eliminatory in the featherweight division.
IT IS NOT USUAL for Argentinean boxing. At least, in main events and in great fights. In June 1975, at New York’s Madison Square Garden, there were three. Carlos Monzón, who retained his WBA middleweight crown by kayoing Tony Licata and Víctor Galindez, who defeated Jorge Ahumada, retaining his light heavyweight belt. It was the first time two Argentinean fought each other for a world title. The Promoter - Don King.
WE WERE AT LAS VEGAS when other two Argentines fought on the same card in the past. It was at Caesars Palace, when Evander Holyfield defeated Larry Holmes. Ruben Darío Cabral made his first (and last) bout at Vegas, while former WBC super bantamweight champion Pedro Decima also scored his last bout at Vegas. Rudy Zabala and Randy Smith defeated them. Also it was the last time Tito Lectoure worked in a corner.
ANOTHER night was back in 1998. Hugo Soto obtained the flyweight WBA belt defeating José Bonilla, while Juan Coggi defeated Dezi Ford.
Mario Arano manages Barrios and Alvarez. Barrios is a brawler and Alvarez takes a more cautious approach. Both of these are very nice guys outside of the ring and seasoned professionals inside of the ring.
