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| Jose Antonio Rivera was the WBA welterweight champion of the world and looking forward to signing some lucrative fights. Not anymore, and the reason being is none other than Bronx puncher Luis Collazo. Once beaten and not intending to be so again this weekend, Collazo is the WBA champion now, albeit under the |  |
reign of undisputed welterweight champion Zab Judah. First to challenge Collazo for championship rights is warhorse Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Years of brutal encounters against some of the world’s most talented fighters are obviously not enough for Gonzalez, he wants more. Gonzalez is not long removed from losing a decision to former welterweight champion Cory Spinks and one must assert that if he loses to the less experienced Collazo, where else is left for Gonzalez to try to recapture past glories?
The SaddoBoxing writer’s have their opinion on what will happen in Collazo’s first defense of his crown. Read on as we at SaddoBoxing continue our big fight build-up.
Curtis McCormick: We’ll find out whether or not Luis Collazo has the goods or not when he faces Mexican iron man Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Collazo beat Jose Rivera recently to take the WBA welterweight belt but Gonzalez is a far more experienced fighter. How much the thirty-four-year-old has left in the tank is going to be the deciding factor here. Gonzalez has a truly iron jaw but has problems with younger, quicker fighters and Collazo is only twenty-four. If the young titlist boxes the older man and uses movement, he should be able to out-quick the veteran but if he tires or decides to trade shots with Gonzalez, he’ll more than likely not have the power to keep the Ensenada native off. I’m on the fence badly about this and will stick with youth to prevail. Collazo by decision.
Shaun Rico LaWhorn: The welterweight division is the home to a wealth of talent and this fight between Miguel Angel Gonzalez (49-4, 39 KOs) and Luis Collazo (25-1, 11 KOs) is a major reason why a lot of above average boxers can be swept to the side. Gonzalez shares a healthy record and experience along with that. Collazo’s knockout record is not outstanding but don’t allow that to fool you. He has power and Collazo is capable of displaying his power when the time is right. The only puzzle to this logic is if Gonzalez is going to allow that to happen. Gonzalez is not going to allow Collazo to bully him and his last loss to Cory Spinks in decision fashion is more than enough strength to get him into a winning mood. This fight will be a test for Collazo and a proving fight for Gonzalez. The starting of this fight will be fast paced, Collazo trying to show Gonzalez his power. Gonzalez’ patience will start to wear thin around the fifth or sixth rounds. A more active Gonzalez will start to land with crisp combinations. In the latter rounds, both fighters will be a bit tired and holding and punching will become common. This fight will have a spectacular round twelve, as both fighters will give it their all. The decision will go to Collazo.
Sergio Martinez: Collazo vs. Gonzalez pits a young gun, against a shopworn, blowup lightweight. This is another one of those “why” fights. Collazo has too much youth and size for the former champion to deal with. Maybe if Miguel Angel is allowed to walk into the ring with a shotgun by his side, he might stand a chance. Still, Gonzalez does have a solid chin so this fight will probably go the distance with Collazo winning an easy unanimous decision.
Jim Cawkwell: It is difficult to imagine that at this stage of his fighting life and with so many wars behind him that Miguel Angel Gonzalez will serve up little more than a meager test for Collazo. Luis Collazo suddenly became a champion after long being one of those fighters of whom the industry neither knew or cared. We look to this fight to learn about what he has to offer the welterweight division, since in these days of polluted championship pictures, simply being a titlist is nowhere near enough. I think that perhaps only Collazo’s respect for a great former champion might allow Gonzalez an opportunity he otherwise would not have enjoyed. If Collazo goes out to make a statement, it will be a hard night for the veteran. Collazo by unanimous decision.
Mark DeSisto: I think Gonzalez’s last fight against southpaw Spinks (almost one year ago!) should give you an idea of how his fight will go with Collazo. Too many factors favor the southpaw Collazo. Miguel is a great, steel-chinned ex-champion with an amazing opponents list, but his time has passed. His peak was a decade ago at 135-pounds and his skills, legs, and stamina are visibly in decline. Collazo is a twenty-four-year-old natural welterweight with good hand-speed and movement, capable of punching in sharp combinations. He showed some determination and grit by beating then WBA champion Jose Antonio Rivera on two weeks notice back in April. Gonzalez’s chin, will, and pedigree may keep him vertical for twelve, but look for for Collazo to impress with a late round TKO.
Lee Bellfield: Is this the last chance for veteran Gonzalez? This is a surprise chance for him to win the WBA welterweight crown on a big Don King card. Collazo is a new champion and one would think that he will want an impressive performance against a name opponent. Gonzalez has been in with so many big names so one could think that he could use all his experience to frustrate the champion. I think on this big stage however Collazo will prevail maybe on a late stoppage.
Contact Jim Cawkwell at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
