This Week in Boxing: Part Three.

As we finish up this last installment of “This Week in Boxing,” we pick up were we last left off. On Friday, April 8th, there is a ton of action, with some very interesting match ups. We make a quick stop in the lovely country of Thailand where former WBC super featherweight champion Sirimongkol

Singwangcha, who is coming off a six-round unanimous decision win over Donny Suratin, faces the well traveled journeyman Teofilo Tunacao. Singwangcha should be able to make quick work of the 25-30 Tunacao. From Thailand, we move over to the United States. Cedric Kushner Promotions are televising a show from Miami, Florida on ESPN. Headlining the card is none other than the undefeated, hard-punching super featherweight “Mighty” Mike Anchondo. “Mighty” Mike puts his undefeated record on the line against the highly skilled veteran Jorge Rodrigo Barrios. Unfortunately, Anchondo’s inability to make the contracted weight for the fight means that he automatically loses his WBO world title. Both fighters have excellent knockout ratios; this should make for an explosive match-up. Expect to see a lot of fireworks in this one. On the same card, Argentinean Carlos Wilfredo Vilches makes his fourth appearance in the United States as he takes on the undefeated Colombian welterweight prospect Joel Jair Julio. Joel is making his second appearance in the United States. With Vilches coming off a knockout win in March and Joel Julio getting ready to prove that he is the real deal, this one is a must see.

From Florida, we move up north and make a quick stop in New Jersey. The highly skilled veteran, Agapito Sanchez hailing from the Dominican Republic makes his final run at the title. Although the ex-featherweight champion is coming off a knockout loss, do not count Agapito out. We are talking about someone who beat Oscar Larios, and caused a frustrated Manny Pacquiao to quit and get a draw. The Colombian Jesus Perez stands in the way of Sanchez’s claim to glory. Perez sports a record of 25-11; I expect Agapito’s experience to carry him in this fight. Sanchez has been reborn at the age of thirty-five and under the tutelage of Humberto “Chelo” Bentacourt, the sky is the limit. Expect some big things from Agapito in 2005.

As we move from the east coast to the west, we stop off in Fountain Hills, Arizona. Up and coming Colombian middleweight prospect Fulgencio Zuniga goes up against Jose Luis Zertuche. The bout is a Top Rank Promotion show, and it will be televised on Telefutura. With both fighters being ranked in the top fifty, expect the winner to move up into at least the top twenty-five or thirty. On the same night, undefeated junior featherweight Jose Miguel Aguiniga puts his record on the line against Mexican journeyman Jorge Garcia. Garcia has more losses than wins, so you figure it out.

On Friday the 8th, six-feet-seven inch former NABF heavyweight champion Michael Grant is set to do action. However, no opponent and venue has been named. We will keep you posted as an opponent and venue is to be announced soon.

From Arizona, we now stop in Houston, Texas. Old school veteran, Gregorio “Goyo” Vargas makes what would be his last run at a lightweight title. Vargas’ nickname should be “Iron Beard,” because in fifty-five professional fights, Vargas has never been knocked out. It is going to be very interesting to see what the unproven Dominican Antonio Ramirez is going to do when he hits “Goyo” with his best shot, and “Goyo” is still standing. It is hard for me to expect anything good from someone who has nine losses and six draws. Look for “Goyo” Vargas to win big and get back in the lightweight picture.

On Saturday April 9th, the excitement shifts over to Mendoza, Argentina. Argentinean lightweight contender, Julio Pablo Chacon goes up against fellow countryman Roberto David Arrieta. In this battle for bragging rights, Julio Pablo Chacon must prove that he is no washed up as a fighter. At 51-7 and only twenty-nine years of age, one has to wonder.

From Argentina, we move up north to Montreal, Canada where undefeated junior middleweight Joachim Alcine takes on Bernard Hopkins victim Carl Daniels. At 49-5-1, I think Carl Daniels has had his time. His best days are behind him now. Expect an impressive victory from Alcine as well as a few moves up in the world rankings. I just hope this is his last fight in Canada and he comes to the states very soon. A lot of people are missing out on his talents.

Still on Saturday the 9th, from Canada we now come back to El Paso, Texas to discuss the biggest fight this week. Mexico’s biggest superstar Marco Antonio Barrera makes his first appearance since his great victory over his Mexican counterpart Erik Morales. The card that is tilted “Viva Mexico” features all Mexican fighters; mostly all of the fighters that will fight that night belong to Golden Boy Promotions. Barrera takes on the unknown South African Mzonke Fana with the prize of the WBC super featherweight title up for grabs. What I can tell you about Fana is that he is 22-2 with 8KOs. The two fights he lost, he lost by decision. Although it is not good to assume, I am assuming he has a good chin, but has no power whatsoever. His best chance to win is to outpoint Marco Antonio. But I do not see that happening. Also featured on the card is former WBO super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel. Montiel in his first appearance since his knockout victory over Reynaldo Hurtado takes on the undefeated WBO champion Ivan Hernandez. This fight could be the best fight of the whole night. Remember what I have been saying all this time, do not sleep on the little guys. Juan Lazcano was supposed to fight on this card, but as a result of personal problems with Oscar de la Hoya and the rest of the Golden Boy Promotional team, Lazcano has been taken off the fight card this Saturday. The “Viva Mexico“fight card will be televised on HBO Pay-Per-View at 9 0’clock.

Finally, on Sunday, April 10th, we close out this segment of “This Week in Boxing” in Miyakonojo, Japan. The hard-hitting southpaw, Tadashi Yuba puts up his Japanese welterweight title against the much-exposed Ryu Bando. I say much exposed because at the age of twenty-nine, Ryu has seven losses and one draw.

With “This Week In Boxing,” for SaddoBoxing.com, I am Edwin Gonzalez. Enjoy all of the fights this week. If you have any questions, thoughts, or comments please feel free to drop me an e-mail. Thank you for checking out my column, I appreciate the love! PEACE.

Edwin Gonzalez can be reached at prpapa427@aol.com