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Manny Robles III believes he is more than ready for tonight’s world title fight. Or is he biting more than he can chew? Robles will count on his amateur days and having his father in his corner to guide him to victory tonight when he faces WBA ‘Regular’ featherweight titleholder Can Xu at the Fantasy Springs Resort and Casino in Indio, California.
Several junior featherweight prospects have remained unbeaten or are close to becoming contenders in a stacked division. Thomas Ward believes he is one of them. The unbeaten fighter from the United Kingdom looks to close out 2019 with an impressive victory Friday night as he squares off against Martin Casillas of Mexico at the Caesars Palace in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
2016 Argentinian Olympian and welterweight prospect Alberto Palmetta put a late exclamation point on an impressive display, scoring a final-round TKO of undefeated Mexican prospect Erik Vega in the main event of ShoBox: The New Generation Friday night from WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.
In a clash of unbeaten light heavyweights, Joseph George scored a disputed split-decision victory over Marcos Escudero. One judge scored the bout 96-94 for Escudero, while the other two judges scored the bout 97-94 and 97-93 for George, who resides in Houston, Texas, goes to 10-0, 6 knockouts.
Welterweight Erik Vega is familiar with tests in and out of the ring. Vega took plenty of them on his way to earning a bachelors degree and is betting he can ace a significant test tonight that could lead to a passing grade to become a legitimate prospect.
Junior middleweight contender Michel Soro will be one step closer to fighting for a world title belt or a big-money fight against Erislandy Lara with an impressive victory against Cedric Vitu.
Junior welterweight Sonny Fredrickson was on the fast track to contender status until he ran into hard-hitting Shohjahon Ergashev. Fredrickson will square off against Samuel Teah tonight at the Hilton Hotel in Washington D.C. The 10-round bout will headline a ‘Fight for Children’ charity fight card.
Junior middleweight prospect Madiyar Ashkeyev remained unbeaten Saturday night, stopping late-sub Rodolfo Martinez after the end of the fifth round at the Gardens Casino in Hawaiian Gardens, California. With the win, Ashkeyev improves to 14-0, 7 knockouts.
Former world junior middleweight contender James Kirkland stopped veteran Jas Phipps in round two Saturday night at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas. With the victory, Kirkland improves to 34-2, 30 knockouts. Kirkland, best known for his all-out war with Canelo Alvarez before getting knocked out in May of 2015, returned to the ring from a four-year absence to knock out Colby Courter on Aug. 24 in his hometown of Austin, Texas. The 35-year-old was facing a fighter in Phipps, who was coming off a majority-decision loss to Edward Ortiz on the same Austin fight card.
The final card of 2019 for Roy Jones Jr. Promotions will be headlined by a crossroads bout between heavyweights. Alexander Flores will square off against Mario Heredia tonight at the Casino Del Sol in Tucson, Arizona. The 10-round bout will stream live on UFC Fight Pass (10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT).