The Pacquiao vs. Margarito Undercard Begins To Take Shape

Added on Sep 27, 2010 by Brian Blake in

Boxing

Truth be told, even without a solid undercard, most people will still be tuning into the highly anticipated showdown featuring international star Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito on November 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. It definitely doesn’t hurt that Bob Arum and the rest of his Top Rank Promotions is providing a solid undercard to go along with what looks to be an interesting main event.

Unfortunately for fans of the sweet science it has become more of the exception than the rule that after spending a substantial amount of your hard earned dollars that you would tune into an intriguing main event but sit through two or three dismal matches leading up to it. We were left longing for the cards of yesteryear where every fight on the telecast could have been a main event in its own right.

As of late, it appears that companies like Top Rank in addition to Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions have gone back to providing a quality event from top to bottom, and it looks like the November 13 scheduled event is evidence of that.

Former Middleweight Champion Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik (36-2, 32 KOs) looks to get back into the win column following his April loss to Argentina’s Sergio Martinez. Pavlik appeared sluggish as he plodded in an attempt to reach Martinez. Martinez’ superior handspeed and footwork left Pavlik befuddled for the majority of the fight at Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall where he ultimately handed over his WBA and WBO belts. After going 2-2 in his last four fights, Pavlik senses the necessity of a win against Texas fighter Brian Vera.

“This is life and death for me as a fighter. I must win,” said Pavlik. “The future is now.”

“No disrespect intended to the card because it’s a terrific show to be associated with, but fighting on an undercard is not where we want to be,” added Pavlik’s trainer Jack Loew. “Kelly has been a headliner since he won the middleweight title three years ago. We dug this hole and now it’s time to climb out of it and Brian Vera is not going to prevent Kelly from becoming a two-time world champion. Youngstown always fights back when it gets knocked down.”

Brian Vera desperately looks to get his once promising career back on track in this scheduled 10 rounder against Pavlik. Vera has lost five of his last eight fights after kicking off his professional journey with a 14-0 start. Vera is arguably most known for his participation in the opening season of “The Contender” reality show as well as his upset victories against Andy Lee and Sebastian Demers. A win over Pavlik would hands down be the biggest accomplishment of his up and down career.

“Pavlik’s Cinderella story is going to end for good with me at Cowboys Stadium,” countered Vera. “Rust never sleeps – even for a so called man of steel.”

Earlier in the evening, fans ringside and those tuning in through HBO Pay-Per-View will get the chance to witness Cuban defector Guillero Rigondeaux as he attempts to win the first title in his young career as he takes on veteran Panamanian Ricardo Cordoba for the interim WBA super bantamweight belt. As ridiculous as it is, the winner of this bout would be the third recognized champion by the WBA as Celestino Caballero is seen as their “Super” champion while Poonsawat Kratingdaeng is distinguished as their “Regular” title holder.

Even if he is one of WBA’s three designated champions it will still be an incredibly amazing feat considering the 29 year of fighter has only had six professional fights.

“Guillermo Rigondeaux, perhaps the greatest amateur fighter of this era with two Olympic gold medals, has embarked on a professional career,” said Top Rank CEO Arum. “He is taking on Ricardo Cordoba of Panamá. Rigondeaux, whose professional record is just 6-0, has been described by his trainer Ronnie Shields of Houston as the best fighter he has ever trained. Cordoba is a top featherweight who has defeated top fighters including world champion Celestino Caballero.”

In what looks to be the televised opener, Philadelphia’s own Mike Jones puts his NABA and WBO NABO regional welterweight titles on the line when he takes on the durable Jesus Soto Karass in a 10 round attraction. Jones, who is rated in the #2 spot by both the WBA and WBO, is coming off of an impressive fifth round knockout win over Irving Garcia in July.

“Finally, the undefeated Philadelphia phenom Mike Jones faces his toughest test in Jesus Soto-Karass. Jones is viewed by many as the best fighter out of Philadelphia in years and a future world welterweight champion. Soto-Karass is an all-action fighter who always gives it his all,” said Arum.

Karass on the other hand is looking for his first win in over a year after fighting to a second round no contest against Gabriel Martinez where he was unable to continue after an early unintentional headbutt. Prior to that he dropped a technical decision to Alfonso Gomez in foul-filled event where Karass was deducted points on three occasions for low blows. Soto Karass is currently ranked eighth by the WBC and 12th by the IBF.

“This is without a doubt the toughest professional test Mike has ever faced,” added Russell Peltz, Jones promoter. “Soto-Karass is the right guy at the right time and it’s fortunate that it’s taking place on boxing’s biggest stage. We have been chasing this fight for one year. If Mike is going to be a world champion he’s going to have beat Soto-Karass on November 13 to make his case.”

“In addition to the main event, which we believe is destined to be the Fight of the Year for 2010, we are presenting a tremendous undercard featuring some of the top boxers today,” concluded Arum. “From top to bottom this will be a sensational card and will keep the viewing audience entertained throughout the evening.