Away from the Mainstrean of Boxing

It may seem weird that a sport as fragmented has off seasons but it appears that the sport is done for summer with very few worth while matches coming up. There was a period a few weeks ago where the Light Middleweights were on fire sadly no weight division has filled in afterwards and theirs little to genuinely report in the bigger picture. The only fights that seem to figure a major Western interest are Jacobs v Pirog, Diaz v Marquez II, Bradley v Abregu and Alcine v Angulo whilst in Australia Green v Briggs could be a thriller (though more about that here).

For those that look a little more beneath the surface though there is some intriguing fights taking place on a weekly basis. This coming week sees two prospects I'm wanting to mention, mid week will have a profile of Mike Jones, whilst this first piece will look at one of the most intriguing matches in a while in regards to prospects. It sees the highly rated once beaten John Molina facing the exciting and easy to watch Henry Lundy who's unbeaten so far as a professional and has featured on national TV in an enthralling encounter with Tyrese Hendrix which had an excellent opening round.

Lundy, although talented is unproven and having amassed 18 wins (10 by KO) and 1 draw, he has only faced a few names that people may recognise, most notably Richard Abril (who lost to Breidis Prescott) who was unlucky not to win the decision (Lundy got a split). Stood at 5 foot 6 and fighting as a lightweight he hasn't got that X factor that many fighters have even if he is very much an all rounder however flaws with his chin (Abril put him down as did Hendrix last time out although it wasn't called) do standout as a problem that won't be cured over night. Against the very talented but perhaps exposed Molina a fast and once very highly touted fighter Lundy will have his work serious cut out. Molina has ran up a record of 20-1 (16) losing only to the experienced Martin Honorio in late 2009, since then he has bounced back with 2 confidence building stoppages in double quick time. With a 4 inch heigh advantage and far superior speed it's hard to see Molina losing in the bout (for the WBO NABO lightweight title) though the son of boxing great John John Molina really doesn't look like stepping out of his fathers shadow any time soon.

That's on Friday whilst on Saturday on the undercard of Juan Manuel Lopez v Bernabe Concepcion is a monster from Puerto Rico called Carlos Negron. People who have seen him fight will agree with me here, the guy is a beast. Aged 22 he stands at 6 foot 6 has an 83 inch reach and power in both hands as well as very solid boxing ability and with the recent losses for both Kenny Galarza and McWilliams Arroyo I'd have have to say Negron has got his chance to jump up the line. Although he has been decked as a professional he got up and put his opponent away the following round and seems likely to add himself to the growing list of exciting Cruiserweights. Negron faces the 15-9-0-1 puncher (12KO's) Gustavo Enriquez. Enriquez should be seen as a solid marking stick having been in with Wayne Braithwaite, Johnathon Banks, Hugo Hernan Garay and recent WBO Cruiserweight challenger Adam Richards.

Also fighting on Saturday is Saul Alvarez, a fighter who has superseded being a mere prospect and is a really special 19 year Mexican who has star potential written all over him. Although fighting in a bit of an obscure card it'll be worth trying to catch it online, he's a truly exceptional fighter well worth catching if JuanMa can have a short night with Concepcion.

Boxings off-season? Nah boxing's time to invite us to look away from the mainstream.