Boxing In Canada: McGuinness Ready For Navarrete Fight

ByBoxing Press

Considered by many to be Canada’s top boxing prospect, Orangeville, Ontario’s Logan Cotton McGuinness (9-0, 4 KO’s) is about to take a major step forward in his young career this Saturday at the Casino De Montreal.

Not only is Canada’s top lightweight stepping up his competition by facing Mexican warhorse Pedro Navarrete (24-6-3, 13 KO’s), but he’ll do it as a lean, mean, and far stronger junior lightweight.

“Logan has been making 135 lbs. almost too easily,” said his promoter, Adam Harris, MD of Hennessy Sports Canada. “We think he can make 130 on a controlled schedule, and emerge as a very, very dangerous 130 lb. fighter, without compromising any of the qualities that have already made him the best in the country at 135 lbs.”

He’ll need all that strength and more against Navarrete, who has proven himself to be not only durable, but flat-out dangerous.

In June of 2006 he flew to Japan and went 10 spirited rounds with Jorge Linares, then considered the world’s top boxing prospect, en route to a hard-fought unanimous decision loss.

In his last fight, this past January, Navarrete halted a two-fight losing skid in violent fashion, demolishing Adrian Tellez in the seventh round to set up his test against McGuinness.

“Navarrete is by far the toughest fighter I’ve ever had to face,” said the 22 year-old McGuinness. “Not only has this guy been in there with some of the best in the world, but he’s shown he’s more than just a guy who can go rounds. This guy steps into the ring to win every time out. And win big.”

“A win over a guy like Navarrete will show the world that I’m one of the best young fighters out there.”

Trainer Chris Johnson – the man who honed Steve Molitor into one of the best Junior Featherweights in the world – sees nothing but great things ahead for his young protégée.

“It’s rare that you have a guy as gifted as Logan, but at the same time, so eager to learn. I tell this kid something once, and it’s like he’s been doing it all along.”

“That’s why when you look at Logan’s career, you see such eye-popping improvement every time out. To the point where, in just his tenth pro fight, he’s more than ready to face a quality thirty-three fight veteran like Navarrete.”

Also appearing on the card will be Hennessy Sports’ newest signing, all-action welterweight Samuel Vargas (1-0, 1 KO)

“This kid is a promoter’s dream,” said Harris. “He puts on thrilling fights. But not only does he start wars, he finishes them too.”