Thursday Night Mayhem: The prelude to Mayweather-Maidana II

By Peter Wells:

One thing that we know for sure about Floyd 'Money' Mayweather, he doesn't just take part in a boxing match, he takes part in an event. When Mayweather fights it's the Superbowl of boxing, and he is the MVP. That's why fight week ahead of a Mayweather extravaganza isn't your ordinary fight week. You don't just get one undercard, you get two. On Saturday night there is the customary preceding fights to wet the appetite, but with Floyd that just wouldn't be enough. On the Friday - or Thursday in this case - before the fight, a card of its own is aired on Fox Sports in Las Vegas. An appetiser to get you in the mood just 24 or 48 hours before the main event.

Credit where credit is due, Golden Boy and Mayweather promotions haven't disappointed with a tasty Thursday night of boxing. Unbeaten Heavyweights Luis Ortiz and Lateef Kayode top the show, with Jesus Cuellar taking on Juan Manuel Lopez in the other 12 rounder. Jordan Shimmell 16-0(13), Errol Spence 13-0(10), Prichard Colon 11-0(10), Josesito Lopez 32-6(19), Jamel Herring 8-0(5), Oscar Negrete 5-0(1) and Bryant Perrella 6-0(5) all grace the undercard. Jermall Charlo vs Norberto Gonzalez and Julian Williams vs Eliezer Gonzalez are the standout 8 rounders.

Luis Ortiz 21-0(18) vs Lateef Kayode 20-0(16)

Luis Ortiz (left) & Lateef Kayode (right)

Two crude but heavy punchers who should provide an entertaining Heavyweight affair - not a phrase you hear much these days. But the new dawn of Heavyweights are bringing as much excitement as vulnerability. Cuba's Ortiz and Nigeria's Kayode both have a lot to learn on the technical side - the Cuban as expected is the better boxer - but they both offer up explosive knockout power.

The left hand of Ortiz vs the right hand of Kayode, in a Southpaw vs Orthodox match-up. Ortiz is the taller and by far the wider. His best win to date came against a faded Monte Barrett (KO 4), but he still showed the type of power, accuracy and speed that has kept him unbeaten to this point.

This is a big step up as he takes on a Kayode who has been 10 rounds or beyond 4 times - Ortiz is yet to go past round 8. A strong puncher, but not necessarily a KO artist, Kayode drew with Antonio Tarver in his most serious examination in the ring - the result was later changed to a No-Decision after Tarver failed the drugs test. Matt Godfrey was down 3 times but survived to hear the final bell as did Felix Cora Jr minus the knockdowns.

Kayode has been hit back far more than Ortiz and has proven he can take a whack as good as he gives one, although upon taking a flush shot, Kayode often becomes wild reverting to a macho style of fighting. Against the faster Ortiz, he can't afford to become ragged.

Kayode's chin should see him through the early rounds where Ortiz will be most dangerous, before taking over in the 2nd half of the contest. If Ortiz's stamina holds up he can see it through to the final bell but will lose on a close decision. It will be wild and exciting at times and action-less and boring at others.

Jesus Cuellar 24-1(18) vs Juan Manuel Lopez 34-4(31)

Jesus Cuellar (left) & JuanMa Lopez (right)

Loser of 2 of his last 3 fights and JuanMa Lopez is looking on a downward spiral. Only rising from the deck to halt Daniel Ponce De Leon in 2 has kept the light burning.

Tipped to be the next Puerto Rican star, JuanMa has never been the same since his first defeat to Orlando Salido (TKO 8). Now fresh off the back of a 3rd round retirement against Super Featherweight Francisco Vargas, Lopez is moving back down to face another fighter on the rise.

Jesus Marcelo Andres Cuellar from Argentina last fought the night before Mayweather-Maidana 1 and hopes to take home another triumph on fight week for the rematch. Last time he defeated former world champion Rico Ramos on points.

Cuellar for all his aggression has been stopped himself by Oscar Escandon (TKO 7). Lopez still a big puncher can pull something out of the bag given the opportunity, and Cuellar certainly has a wilder style similar to Ponce De Leon or Lopez himself, rather than the more defensively tight Mikey Garcia and Vargas.

This should present opportunities for JuanMa as Cuellar pours forward but one cannot see Lopez pulling another rabbit out the hat. Cuellar can be caught flush and dragged into deep waters, but with the greater ambition and energy on his side he will be the one to surface first inside 6 rounds.

Julian Williams 16-0-1(10) vs Eliezer Gonzalez 14-0(9)

Julian Williams (left) & Eliezer Gonzalez (right)

If you want to see two contrasting ways of developing a fighter then look no further than the record of Julian Williams and Eliezer Gonzalez. Philly's Williams has been the 8 rounds with Joachim Alcine - dropping the Canadian 3 times - had an unfortunate no contest with unbeaten Hugo Centeno Jr, taken out Orlando Lora and Freddy Hernandez both in 3 rounds, before KO'ing Michael Medina in 8. That is a testing education, one that will hold him in good stead when he reaches world title level at Light Middleweight.

On the other hand Puerto Rico's Gonzalez has only fought one fighter with a winning record. Now a big step up in class awaits, but also an opportunity. His first contest outside of Puerto Rico or the Dominican Republic and a chance to make a statement against the favoured Williams.

Williams is a patient but heavy handed fighter, who tends to let his fists fly with vigour. Eliezer touted as a hot prospect in Puerto Rico has had trouble finding opponents willing to step in and face him which should further encourage him to make a statement tonight.

Trained by Felix Trinidad Sr, Gonzalez will give an extremely good account of himself, but will fall just short on the scorecards in a terrific contest that would be better served over 10 or 12 rounds.

Jermall Charlo 18-0(14) vs Norberto Gonzalez 20-4(13)

Jermall Charlo (left) & Norberto Gonzalez (right)

Jermall, the twin brother of Jermell, will be less than satisfied with his two fights since a bout with IBF Light Middleweight champion Carlos Molina fell through at the 11th hour. A 3rd round retirement of Hector Munoz is now followed by the extremely tough but very beatable Norberto Gonzalez.

Jermall however is seen as the less seasoned of the twins, meaning a good 8 rounds in the bag against a man whose last 2 opponents were Yudel Johnson and Roberto Garcia, who are both looking to set up title fights in the near future following their respective wins over Gonzalez.

Charlo can punch and the plodding but defensively sound Gonzalez hit the canvas twice against Johnson. However the pick is for Charlo to dominate Gonzalez from the outside, before pushing the Mexican back in the later rounds of this 8 rounder to take a shutout points win.