Hennessy Boxing: Avila Vs McGuiness

This Saturday night, the eyes of the boxing universe will be focused squarely on the Hershey Centre in Mississaugua, Ontario, as United Promotions, in association with Hennessy Sports Canada, presents one of the most important Canadian fight cards to take place in years.

In the main event, Orangeville’s Logan Cotton McGuiness (13-0-1, 6 KO’s) takes a dangerous step up in competition in defense of his NABA Lightweight title, when he faces heavy-handed veteran Hector Julio Avila (47-5, 42 KO’s).

“When you see what Avila is capable of, this fight is more than a test for us,” Adam Harris, McGuinness’ promoter, said.

“But when you get to the point where Logan is, there are no easy fights. He has a respected, valued title to defend, and he has to ward off quality, qualified contenders hellbent on ripping his head off. ”

McGuinness has seen his stock rise exponentially since his pro debut in July of 2008, morphing from a green rookie, into a slick, gritty, ring-wise boxer/puncher in the breakneck span of just 2 and a-half years.

“He’s come so far in such a short period of time. And it’s not a case of him having a glossy record built on a heap of bums. He’s faced quality opposition,” said Harris.

“And as the opponents have been getting even tougher and tougher, he’s gotten better and better. You can’t ask for more than that out of a young fighter.”

Also on this scintillating card, former WBC Junior Welterweight world champion, Sheffield, England’s Junior Witter (37-3-2, 22 KO’s) makes his debut at welterweight, against dangerous Romanian-born Torontonian Victor Lupo (18-1-2, 9 KO’s).

“For years Junior was considered one of the best fighters in the world at 140 lbs. However, making that weight turned into half the battle for him, which is far from ideal when you’re stepping in with the likes of Devon Alexander and Timothy Bradley,” Harris said of Witter.

“Now at 147 we’re going to see a truly great fighter freed up to fight at a weight that allows him to train for an opponent, and not starve for a scale.”

In Lupo, Witter is facing a fighter that has known success throughout his pro career, but with very little fanfare. A win for Lupo would put him on the international boxing map.

“We didn’t unroll the welterweight welcome mat for Junior,” Harris said.

“Lupo is a serious fighter with great credentials, and a ton to gain. As desperate as Junior is to get another world title, Lupo is equally hungry for a win over a top-tiered fighter like Witter.”

Rounding out the troika of great fights is a 10 round battle between undefeated welterweight prospect Sammy Vargas (7-0, 1 KO) and linear Canadian welterweight champion Tebor Brosch (6-3-4, 2 KO’s) for the vacant NABA Canadian welterweight crown.
With no amateur career to speak of, and only 6 pro fights on his resume, Vargas showed the world what he’s capable of when he ventured to Moncton, New Brunswick last October and toppled the accomplished Jhonny Navarette (16-4-1, 8 KO’s) via unanimous decision.
And while that victory surprised many, Vargas’ trainer, the world-renowned Chris Johnson, saw it coming.

“Sammy shows me so much in the gym everyday, that nothing he accomplishes will ever surprise me,” Johnson said.

“He just showed Navarette, and the world, what I already know; that with hard work, and attention to detail, he can be a great fighter.”

But as bright as Vargas’ future is shaping up to be, he’ll be facing a fighter in Brosch desperate to keep a once bleak looking pro career on the upswing.

After just one win in his first seven pro fights, Brosch has done a complete one-eighty, going undefeated in his last seven, including a decision over Justin Fountain last July to claim the Canadian Welterweight title, and the confidence to succeed where he previously came up short.

“I now know what it takes to win in this sport. I know the price I have to pay, and, finally, how to pay it,” Brosch said.

“This is going to be a great fight. Sammy is a good fighter, with a very good trainer, and naturally they’re very confident. But you can say the same about me and my trainer Jerome Coffee.”

Hershey Centre doors open at 7:00 PM, and the first punches fly at 8:00 PM.

NOTE TO TICKET HOLDERS: To accommodate UK television, Witter vs. Lupo will be the second fight of the evening.

Tickets for the February 19th show at the Hershey Centre in Mississauga, presented by United Promotions in association with Hennessy Sports, are available now starting at $25 at the Hershey Centre box office, or through Ticketmaster by calling (416) 872-5000 or logging onto www.ticketmaster.ca.