Heavyweight for Feathers

This Saturday January 23rd Madison Square Garden in New York will be hosting a star-studded event as some of the worlds top featherweights will be fighting. Now you’re probably asking yourself what are featherweights? Featherweight is a division in boxing were a boxer can not exceed the weight limit of 126 lbs. Yes, these guys tend to be smaller in stature but some of the worlds greatest fighters all fought in this division at one point. Fighters like; Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Floyd Mayweather and that’s just to name a few. For years featherweights have gone to war and given the great sport of boxing epic fights. Unfortunately, these fighters tend not to get to much press due to there size. Nonetheless they have always delivered enough to hold as the main event at many venues.
This Saturday is no exception two undefeated fighters put there records on the line. Undefeated Cuban fighter Yuriorkis Gamboa (16-0, 14 KOs) squares up against Tanzanian fighter Rogers Mtagwa (26-13-2, 18 KOs) for the WBA World featherweight title, this makes out to be a slug fest. Gamboa relativity new in the boxing world with only 16 pro fights but he has a heavy right hand that has helped him in knocking out 87.5% of opponents. Mtagwa with double digit loses has been knocked out twice out of the 13 loses even though he’s took his fair share of loses Mtagwa is a tough character. Let’s just say that Mtagwa needs to keep that chin tucked in nice and tight.
In the main event undefeated Puerto Rican knockout artist Juan Manuel Lopez (27-0, 24 KOs) battles the WBO World featherweight champ California bred Steven Luevano (37-1-1, 15 KOs). This on paper makes out to be a more interesting fight than the fight before it. The reason for this is that Lopez has fought the majority of his fights at the Super Bantamweight limit which is 122 lbs. To most people 4 lbs difference isn’t much but in boxing 4 lbs of muscle can make a huge difference. Luevano isn’t a heavy hitter matter of fact he’s only knocked out roughly about 38% of fighters he’s faced. Luevano is a lanky southpaw that likes to box tall meaning he sticks the jab and lands the straight left hand down the middle. Even though Lopez and Luevano have the exact height at 5’7” and the exact reach at 69” their styles differ completely. Those that know boxing well know that style makes fights.

Predictions
Yuriorkis Gamboa (16-0, 14 KOs) VS Rogers Mtagwa (26-13-2, 18 KOs)

Gamboa has too many advantages youth, skill, speed, and power. Even though Mtagwa is a super tough customer I for see a 9th round knockout by the Cuban Gamboa nothing will stop him from getting on the inside. Keep in mind that Mtagwa did last all 12 rounds in his previous fight which was with Juan Manuel Lopez.

Juan Manuel Lopez (27-0, 24 KOs) VS Steven Luevano (37-1-1, 15 KOs)

This one is tougher to predict due to the skill level by both fighters. Luevano is boxer that has to stay on the outside of Lopez use utilize his jab effectively. If not Lopez is going to get on the inside and bang away at Luevano. Im bias when it comes to Luevano just because he’s a California kid but I have to look at styles and technique. It is going to be extremely difficult for Luevano to keep Lopez from the inside. Since both fighters are southpaws it could possibly be a sloppy fight foot work wise. Lopez will be able to get on the inside and bang away at Luevano to get the decision win. Luevano doesn’t have the power to discourage Lopez from getting inside with no problem and Lopez just has a bigger left hook than Luevano.