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By Jake Donovan - The two biggest stateside shows this weekend take place on opposite sides of the country. Between the two cards there exists nary a bout that figures to bear any semblance to competitive action.
Yet both cards are met with great anticipation by boxing fans – not so much the live action, but what they will mean to the future of the sport as a whole and the featherweight division in general.
On one side of the country, it’s a sneak preview into a suggested future rivalry between rising stars Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Almost 3,000 miles to the left marks the long awaited return of all-action hero and former two-time lineal super bantamweight king Israel Vazquez after 19 months spent away from the ring.
The showcase of the aforementioned trio comes on the heels of the second consecutive stateside appearance of longtime featherweight titlist Chris John, who outfought Rocky Juarez over the course of 12 rounds for the second time this year, even if he only has one win and a draw to show for it.
Waiting in the wings is Rafael Marquez, forever linked to Vazquez on the strength of their unforgettable recent trilogy and who made his own comeback earlier this year.
Put it all together and you have something that has been more than five years in the making – a featherweight division with sex appeal. [details]
Yet both cards are met with great anticipation by boxing fans – not so much the live action, but what they will mean to the future of the sport as a whole and the featherweight division in general.
On one side of the country, it’s a sneak preview into a suggested future rivalry between rising stars Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa.
Almost 3,000 miles to the left marks the long awaited return of all-action hero and former two-time lineal super bantamweight king Israel Vazquez after 19 months spent away from the ring.
The showcase of the aforementioned trio comes on the heels of the second consecutive stateside appearance of longtime featherweight titlist Chris John, who outfought Rocky Juarez over the course of 12 rounds for the second time this year, even if he only has one win and a draw to show for it.
Waiting in the wings is Rafael Marquez, forever linked to Vazquez on the strength of their unforgettable recent trilogy and who made his own comeback earlier this year.
Put it all together and you have something that has been more than five years in the making – a featherweight division with sex appeal. [details]
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