THREE GREAT BOUTS UNDER THE RADAR

As the world awaits the May 2nd HBO PPV Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton mega-fight showdown there are other important matches popping up on the schedule that are getting the media’s cold shoulder. With that in mind, I’d like to highlight three upcoming matches that are set in stone in my date book, on my Tivo or if they are blacked out I’ll pour a scotch, light up an Arturo Fuente Hemingway and await word on the results.

When: April 30th

Where: Arena Roberto Duran, Panama City, Panama

Why watch: The last time the world saw Celestino Cabellero (31-2, 22 KOs) he was knocking out then undefeated Steve Molitor to pick up the IBF Super Bantamweight and the WBA Super World Super Bantamweight title. Ok, I’ll agree with you that labeling a belt “Super World” is dumb, but Molitor was considered one of the best, if not the best Super Bantam, so the accomplishment is greater than the sum of whatever straps he picked up. This time out Cabellero make his first defense of those titles against South African Jeffrey Mathebule (22-1-2, KOs 12). While Mathebule may be unheralded he did win an eliminator over Julio Zarate (26-5-1, KOs 16) to earn the shot. What will be interesting here is how the new champion adjusts from title chaser to title defender.

A Little Extra: Any chance either guy comes out to “Panama” by Van Halen? I wonder what odds Vegas would give me on that?

When: May 8th

Where: Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas and on ESPN2

Why watch: These are two good prospects. Vera knocked out Ang Lee, taking his “0” away in the process. He also beat Max Alexander. On the downside he’s also been knocked out by James Kirkland and Jaidron Codrington. But his loss is our gain. What he lacks in defense could make this match a much better bout to watch than has been advertised. Both men have some pop, but neither is a one-shot-done knockout puncher. This should lead to each being on the receiving end of some jaw rattling shots, but neither going down right away. Give southpaw Craig McEwan the edge, but don’t be shocked if he loses.

A Little Extra:

McEwan is trained by Freddie Roach. Vera’s loss to Codington came on season three of “The Contender”.

When: May 16th

Who: Andre Ward (18-0, KOs 12) vs. Edison Miranda (32-3, KOs 28)

Where: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California, Showtime

Why watch: At 25 years old Andre Ward is on the precipice of a major league title shot, while Edison Miranda is facing the cliff of “gatekeeper” status. Miranda is keenly aware of Ward’s place in boxing, for it was once his. On March 24, 2006, a 25 year old Edison Miranda defeated contender Howard Eastman to run his record to 25-0 with 23 knockouts. He was the next big thing. For the past three years Miranda has a record of 6-3 with 3 knockouts. During this time he lost his only title shot to Arthur Abraham by unanimous decision, dropped a title eliminator to Kelly Pavlik and was knocked out by Abraham in a rematch last summer. With that defeat he decided to take a step back and start from scratch doing a little barn storming by beating the likes of unheralded Manuel Esparza and Joey Vegas. Now he faces Ward, a man who has sliced through the first part of his career with relative ease. Ward is coming off of a total domination of Henry Buchanan, where he won every round on every score card.

The key questions to be answered in this match are:

1. Will Andre Ward come in over confident?
2. Can Andre Ward take Edison Miranda’s best shot?
3. Can Edison Miranda land his best shot?

A Little Extra:

Mahamed Aripgadzhiev, the guy Andre Ward beat to win the 2004 Olympic Gold Medal in the Light Heavyweight division has not had an easy time as a professional. He’s 12-2 with 7 knockouts. While that sounds decent, he dropped a decision to Artem Vychkin who was 6-16 at the time (now 8-23)!