I'm going to try to do a preview of the Saturday events, but I will start with a very good card on Friday from DAZN and Golden Boy with the return of former WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia from Indio, California.
Munguia, who was very impressive in his title win over Sadam Ali and his first defense over Liam Smith, began to struggle in his last few fights at 154 and was the beneficiary of a decision that he didn't deserve against Dennis Hogan before moving to 160 with a fourth round stoppage of Spike O'Sullivan.
Munguia will be facing rugged veteran Tureano Johnson, who wore down Golden Boy's middleweight prospect Jason Quigley and surprised many with a ninth round knockout last summer.
Johnson took a pounding in his other fights against top competition against Sergey Dereyvanchenko and Curtis Stevens and his straight-forward style looks to be custom made for the taller Munguia.
This one looks to be interesting, but it'll be a disappointment if Munguia doesn't shine.
The co-feature is one that I am looking forward to as highly touted prospect Alexis Rocha puts his undefeated record on the line against fellow unbeaten Rashidi Ellis.
Ellis holds two wins over Eddie Gomez, who at one time was a highly regarded prospect, while Rocha's last two victories came over veteran Brad Solomon and talented Roberto Valenzuela, so this one will be a classic crossroads fight with the winner likely moving into a fight against a top ten fighter in 2021 and the loser taking a small step back.
Ellis is the smoother boxer, while Rocha seems to have a edge as the bigger puncher with Ellis's first round knockout of Gomez in their first fight aside.
This one may or not be the most exciting fight on the card, but it could prove to be the most competitive.
The remaining challenge fight is a world title event with WBO junior flyweight champion Elwin Soto defending against Carlos Buitrago of Argentina.
Soto won his title in a great fight last year when he came from slightly behind to stop Angel Acosta in the final round and has defended his title once since.
Acosta has moved to flyweight since losing to Soto and Golden Boy may want to match the two in a rematch at flyweight eventually, but Soto will stay at 108 pounds for now.
Buitrago has lost in two previous title shots against Acosta and Hiroto Kyoguchi and holds a loss to McWilliams Arroyo, so he's used to fighting the best in his division, if not defeating them.
In the boxing challenge, I lead a charging Ramon Malpica 137-129 and Ramon will have lots of chances to cut into the lead further with these three fights and eight on Saturday!
I'll be trying to post a preview of the Saturday fights later today...
Middleweights. 12 Rds
Jaime Munguia vs Tureano Johnson
R.L: Munguia KO 8
TRS: Munguia KO 10
Welterweights. 10 Rds
Alexis Rocha vs Rashidi Ellis
R.L: Ellis Unanimous Decision
TRS; Rocha Unanimous Decision
WBO Lt Flyweight Title. 12 Rds
Elwin Soto vs Carlos Buitrago
R.L: Soto Unanimous Decision
TRS: Soto KO 9
TRS: Soto KO 9
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