WBO Welterweight Title
When: 12th November Live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
What: Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez
Where: All on Primetime: Sky channel 480, Virgin Media ‘On Demand’ and online at www.primetimelive.co.uk
Pacquiao vs Marquez III is almost upon us, but this isn’t a card focussed only on the main event. As well as the main event there are title fights all the way through the card. Timothy Bradley is defending his WBO Light Welterweight crown against Joel Casamayor, Mike Alvarado defends his IBF Latino Light Welterweight title against Breidis Prescott and Luis Cruz battles Juan Carlos Burgos for the NABO Super Featherweight belt.
Cruz vs Burgos features two up and coming fighters that are looking to push themselves into the World title picture. So let’s spend a little time getting to know these fighters that could well put on the fight of the night.
LUIS CRUZ
Record: 19-0 (15)
Age: 26
Home: Las Piedras, Puerto Rico
Nationality: Puerto Rico
Height: 5’9
Could Luis ‘El Atresano’ Cruz be the next big thing out of Puerto Rico? Well he trains with Miguel Cotto, and could be knocking on the door of a world title shot should he win tonight.
He was born in the USA and moved to Puerto Rico when he was three years old. He has picked up national honours as an amateur before turning pro in 2007 as a 21-year-old and has remained unbeaten ever since.
Currently WBO number two, WBA number five, WBC number four and IBF number three. He picked up that high WBO ranking after winning the WBO Latino super-featherweight title. While there may not be much by way of big names on his record, his last opponent, Antonio Davis, was a former world title challenger. Cruz beat him in six rounds.
Cruz has 15 stoppages to his name, including five in the first round, and this will be his first time scheduled for 12 rounds. He’s had seven scheduled 10 rounders, only hearing the final bell twice.
JUAN CARLOS BURGOS
Record: 27-1 (19)
Age: 23
Home: Tijuana
Nationality: Mexico
Height: 5’8.5
Juan Carlos Burgos is from Tijuana, Mexcico, and is a former world title challenger. He was previously ranked as high as number two with the WBC at featherweight, and this is a step up in weight.
Burgos turned pro in Mexico in 20047 two weeks before his 17th birthday. Boxing is in the blood as uncle Victor Burgos is a former light-flyweight world champion (he hasn’t boxed since undergoing surgery following his loss to Vic Darchinyan in 2007).
Juan Carlos Burgos rose rapidly after his pro debut, picking up regional WBC belts before taking on Hozumi Hasegawa in November 2010, losing a WBC featherweight title fight in Japan on points. He’s fought twice since then, defeating Frankie Archuleta in two rounds, and last time out beating Gilberto Sanchez Leon over 10 in July.
Pacquiao vs Marquez III sees the World’s best pound for pound fighters return to Primetime this November. Ranked number 1in the pound for pound lists, Manny Pacquiao will be looking to end the controversy by convincingly dispatching long time rival Juan Manuel Marquez. After a controversial points decision and a draw both fighters have a point to prove. The previous battles have delivered knockdowns galore and this fight promises to be no different.
Timothy Bradley steps back into the ring after ten months out and having been stripped of his WBC title as issues with his manager meant a fight with Amir Khan didn’t happen. Bradley will want to return to winning ways and prove he is still the number 1 in the Light Welterweight division. To do that he’ll need to defend his WBO title against former two division champion Joel Casamayor.
Breidis Prescott also makes a quick return to British TV screens. Following his points loss to Paul McCloskey the only man to knock Amir Khan out aims to get back to winning ways as he challenges for the IBF Latino Light Welterweight crown. An undefeated Mike Alvarado stands in his way, with 41 KO’s from 58 fights between them this has all the makings of a fight of the night candidate.
The card is completed by Luis Cruz vs Juan Burgos for the NABO Super Featherweight championship.
So it’s titles fights all the way on November 12th, another must see night exclusive to Primetime!
You can order the card for only £14.95 by calling 08712004444*, visiting www.primetimelive.co.uk or Virgin Media customers can purchase using the ‘On Demand’ menu. Customers on Sky must register the first time they use Primetime and once registered can purchase using the ‘box office’ menu.
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