The fight that I was excited about more than any other of boxing's return on ESPN was two top ten junior welterweight action fighters hooking up as Jose Zepeda was scheduled to face former IBF champion Ivan Baranchyk in what assuredly would have been the best fight since boxing's comeback.
Baranchyk suffered an injury in training and was forced from the fight, so Zepeda will be facing 17-1 Kendo Castaneda.
I don't know very much about Castaneda, but I do know that against Zepeda, who narrowly lost in a title try against WBC/WBO champion Jose Ramirez, Castaneda will need to show a lot to win in this fight.
The Thursday main event was going to televise the return of heavyweight Jarrell "Big Baby" Miller from his PED suspension that cost him a world title challenge of Anthony Joshua. but Miller failed yet another PED test in a stunning display of stupidity and was pulled from the card.
Miller's scheduled opponent, Jerry Forrest, has a 20-3 record but all three recognizable fighters on his resume' have defeated him, Michael Hunter and Gerald Washington early in his career and a split decision loss to Jermaine Franklin last July.
Miller's replacement is former world title challenger Carlos Takam, who also has failed against top opponents, although his losses to Anthony Joshua in a world title challenge, two former world champions in Alexander Povetkin and Joseph Parker and a perennial contender in Dereck Chisora put Takam at a level above Forrest.
On background, Takam is a solid favorite but at 39 and having to go back to 2014 to see a victory over a fighter that you have heard of (former title challenger Tony Thompson), Forrest could surprise some people in this one with some luck.
Jr.Welterweights. 10 Rds
Jose Zepeda vs Kendo Castaneda
R.L; Zepeda KO 7
TRS: Zepeda KO 5
Heavyweights. 10 Rds
Carlos Takam vs Jerry Forrest
R.L: Takam KO 6
TRS: Takam Unanimous Decision
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