Boxing Preview: Erdei vs. Mendoza, Hill vs. Arslan

ByRicky Jones

Universum stages a big bill tonight in Dresden, Germany as longtime WBO Light Heavy Champ Zsolt “Firebird” Erdei puts his belt at risk against Panama’s Tito Mendoza and ageless wonder Virgil Hill defends his WBA Cruiser crown against interim titlist Firat Arslan.

Erdei, 27-0 (17), won the WBO title nearly four years ago by defeating Julio Gonzalez by decision and has successfully retained the belt eight times against a mixture of largely top European and South American competition but as of late has faced second tier North American opponents.

The 33 year old Hungarian has superb boxing skills but continues the trend of not competing against the other world champions at light heavy by squaring off with Mendoza, 36-7 (28).

At 6 foot 3, Mendoza will have a five inch height advantage over the champion and the Panamanian used his towering presence to good advantage earlier in his career in weight classes from light welter all the way to super middleweight.

While the 31 year old does hold wins over Maselino Masoe, Julio Garcia and a faded Keith Holmes, Mendoza has come up short in higher profile contests, losing several world title eliminators, and has been on the canvas many times throught his career.

Erdei is clearly not the biggest puncher in the 175 pound class but he has showed improved power of late, stopping four of his last five opponents, and with his patient counter punching style, the Hamburg resident should either post a wide points win or stop Mendoza late.

43 year old WBA Cruiserweight Champion Virgil Hill, 50-6 (23), has had an amazing career since turning pro in 1984 and is one of the modern day greats of the sport.

But “Quicksilver” is coming off a loss to old nemesis Henry Maske, who came off a ten year retirement just to rematch Hill in a non-title fight at 190 lb, and must now hold off WBA interim titlist Firat Arslan, 27-3-1 (18).

At 37, Arslan is no young man himself and the German southpaw will be giving away several inches in height and reach to the old master.

The challenger has never faced anyone remotely as skilled as even the 43 year old version of Hill and is coming off a close split decision win over Russia’s Valery Brudov, whom Hill comfortably outboxed in January of last year to win the vacant WBA title.

While the end is looming for Hill, it ‘s unlikely to come in the form of Arslan.