Boxing In Mexico: Top Rank Puts On Massive Show

There’s a big card on tonight at the Domo De La Feria in Leon, Mexico with Top Rank promoting four high level bouts. While there’s only one genuine world title contest, there are three other intriguing fights that all add up to a massive bill.

WBC Light Flyweight Champion Edgar Sosa, 30-5 (16), puts his title at risk for the fourth time in meeting Culiacan based challenger Jesus Iribe, 13-4-3 (7), over twelve scheduled rounds.

28 year old Sosa turned his career around after losing a Mexican Light Flyweight title bid by majority decision to current IBF Champion UIises Solis in 2003 and there’s been no stopping the Mexico City man since as he’s racked up 18 straight wins, including high profile victories over the likes of Roberto Carlos Leyva, Lorenzo Trejo, Brian Viloria, Luis Albero Lazarte and Noel Arambulet since 2006.

Iribe will be taking a big step up in his level of competition but “Azul” has managed wins over previously undefeated Juan Esquer and seasoned veteran Mariano Montiel over the last two years.

The biggest bout on the bill in terms of media attention features one of the world’s top prospects, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., stepping up to take on Salinas, CA based Jose Celaya at light middleweight for the vacant WBC Continental Americas belt.

At just 21 years of age, Chavez Jr, 34-0 (27), has been busy since turning pro in late 2003 but will be taking part in his first scheduled twelve round bout after 34 appearances.

The son of a living legend and one of Mexico’s greatest fighters, Chavez has a lot of legacy to carry on his shoulders and to date has not been placed in the ring with a high level opponent.

The selection of 26 year old Celaya continues that trend but the southpaw, who like Chavez Jr has never gone past 10 rounds, does represent the biggest threat to date for the promising youngster.

One of the middleweight division’s biggest sluggers, Marco Antonio Rubio, is on the bill and will face the comebacking Jose Luis Zertuche for the WBC FECOMBOX crown.

Rubio, 40-4-1 (35), has generated six wins on the bounce after dropping two in a row in 2006, a WBO NABO title shot against former IBF Champ Kassim Ouma and a WBC International bid to current European titlist Zaurbeck Baysangurov.

In the opposite corner will be hometown hero Zertuche, 19-4-2 (14), who has not fought for a year and will attempt to return from consecutive losses to Fulgencio Zuniga and current WBC/WBO Champion Kelly Pavlik.

20 year old NABF Super Bantamweight kingpin Bernabe Concepcion, 23-1-1 (13), of the Philippines defends his strap for the first time as he squares off with ex-WBO NABO titlist Juan Ruiz, 21-4 (6), who has suffered defeats in his last two appearances.

Also scheduled to appear on the bill is 39 year old former WBO Heavyweight Champion Tommy “The Duke” Morrison, 47-3-1 (41), who will take part in his second bout since a 10 year layoff by meeting 25 year old novice Matt Weishaar, 3-0 (2), over six rounds.