Kendall Holt V Julio Diaz – ESPN2 - Friday
Kendall Holt (26-4 14 Kos) has always earned a bit of soft spot in my heart dating back to his debacle in Columbia against Ricardo Torres. He doesn’t have a very crowd pleasing style but is a good fighter that will be a tough test for any up and coming junior welterweight. He takes on Julio Diaz (38-6 27Kos) in the main event of Friday Night Fights. Julio has decent power but has lost most every time he steps up in class. Both are former belt holders and are trying to figure out who will continue. They are both reaching an age and a point in their careers where they need a few more big fights, or to retire. I expect a good scrap. I think the question isn’t whether Holt is the better boxer, he is, the question is Holt will be able to stay away against Diaz in the later rounds.
As always this fight will be on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com available for streaming. I will say this over and over again, streaming boxing fights on ESPN3 is a godsend.
Sharif Bogere vs. Raymundo Beltran - SHO - Friday
The Friday Showtime card features up and coming Sharif Bogere (19-0, 12 KOs). Sharif has looked like a beast in the early part of his career. The storyline in this fight here is a familiar one. A young up and comer takes on a scrapper who has had a tough career and will force the young guy to fight. Ray (Raymundo) Beltran (24-4, 16 KOs) is a come forward Mexican fighter who will make the fight intesting. Beltran’s claim to fame is his occupation as Manny Pacquiao sparring partner. Some experts see the first tough fight for Sharif in this matchup. I see Sharif Bogere winning an easy unanimous decision. Note: Look out for Sharif's lion head for his ring entrance.. scary..
Arthur Abraham vs. Andre Ward – SHO - Saturday
In Carson, California the Super Six semifinal round begins. While many will criticize the Super Six tournament for its injuries, withdrawals, and conflicts, boxing fans cannot deny that the tournament has already produced some stellar fights. Andre Ward (23-0 13 KOs) may be the best in the division, currently ranked #5 FK P4P, and shows no signs of slowing down. He hasn’t had a tough fight since his early pro days. However, if you followed his early career there still may be some questions about his chin. Those questions were supposed to be answered by wins over Edison Miranda and Allan Green, but not one of them landed a solid shot against him.
Standing in front of him is Arthur Abraham (32-2 26 KOs) who is coming off the worst year of his career. Coming into the tournament Abraham was undefeated and some felt was the favorite to win. Then, after a grand entrance by putting Jermain Taylor into retirement, he lays two eggs against Andre Dirrell and Carl Froch. He did the right thing after those two losses and took a tuneup on his home turf. Now he comes back into enemy territory and fights perhaps the best in the division.
I see a good fight with Andre Ward using his out boxing skills to pecker Arthur with shots and then avoid and hug when Abraham uses his lunging body shots. Barring a shot that Andre doesn’t see hitting him, he should cruise to an easy decision.
The winner of this match meets the winner of what should be another entertaining scrap, Carl Froch V Glen Johnson in the finals.
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