by Cliff Rold

The Strawweights delivered, Moises Fuentes’ upset of Raul Garcia for the WBO 105 lb. belt turning out to be what sounds like a highlight of the summer.

This scribe reads that it ‘sounded’ like it because so far he’s missed the fight.  That will be corrected.  Not missed was what turned out to be one hell of a pleasant surprise.  The Heavyweights came through, big time, with a violent chess match and then just some damn fine violence period. 

Where will the joy of voyeuristic fixation via two men pummeling each other come in the days ahead?   

These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: #3 Andre Berto vs. #5 Jan Zaveck (Saturday, HBO, 10:30 PM EST/7:30 PM PST)

The IBF Welterweight titlist Zaveck (31-1, 18 KO) has such anonymity in the U.S. may fool some into thinking this is some sort of soft rehab assignment for Berto (27-1, 21 KO).  Such thinking would be flawed.  Berto has been nowhere near as good as the hype and attention he’s received from HBO merited and Zaveck is an opponent, like Andriy Kotelnik was for Devon Alexander in some ways, who might have been picked for the wrong reasons.  Berto might be faster, might be a bit better athlete, but he doesn’t have a great chin or head movement.  Zaveck has solid fundamentals and can crack a little.  Add to that Berto’s trying to come back from a hellacious war in losing to Victor Ortiz earlier this year and fight fans could have a sleeper on their hands.  The chief support, though jot resolved until the last minute, should be good as well.  Former Olympian Gary Russell Jr. (17-0, 10 KO) takes another step towards what could eventually be the perch as best fighter in the sport with proven tough guy Leonilo Miranda (32-3, 30 KO).  Can Miranda answer the question that always needs answering before talent can be realized?  Can he touch the chin of Russell and tell the world what it doesn’t know yet?  It’s the pick of the week because it’s worth finding out.

Pick Solo: Eloy Perez vs. Daniel Jimenez (Friday, Telefutura, 11:30 PM EST/PST)

 

Will another “0” go?  It seems like the question arises every week lately and might seem repetitive but so many undefeated fighters have been knocked off in 2011 it’s impossible not to ask.  A Jr. Lightweight, Perez (21-0, 5 KO) has some potential but not much pop.  Jimenez (20-3-1, 12 KO) has seen a little bit better competition but mostly lost, outside taking the donut off former Olympian Vicente Escobedo in 2006.  If Perez is a cut below the elite level, Jimenez can find out.       

Pick Koki: #8 Koki Kameda vs. David De La Mora (Wednesday, Japan, ?)

A YouTube special for the week, the biggest stars always get their nods and in the lowest weight classes there might not be a bigger star than Kameda (25-1, 16 KO).  His following in Japan is massive even if he doesn’t move the needle in the English-speaking world.  A WBA Bantamweight beltholder, Kameda could change that.  Fighting in a division as deep, talented, as generally special as 118 lbs. is right now, creates opportunities to do great things.  De La Mora (23-0, 16 KO) has his own opportunity to create great things for himself.  For fans lucky enough to have access to Japanese T.V. via satellite, the world’s leading Jr. Bantamweight, Hugo Cazares, is also in action.   

For BoxingScene’s latest full divisional ratings, log on to: https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=boxing-ratings

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