Cesar Juarez vs. Isaac Dogboe next Sat. on Jan.6

By Boxing News - 12/31/2017 - Comments

Image: Cesar Juarez vs. Isaac Dogboe next Sat. on Jan.6

By Jim Dower: Cesar Juarez (20-5, 15 KOs) will be battling #3 WBO Issac Dogboe (17-0, 11 KOs) for the interim WBO super bantamweight title next Saturday night on January 6 at the Bukom Boxing Arena, in Accra, Ghana. The Juarez-Dogboe fight will be televised on beIN Sports Espanol.

(Photo credit: Prince Dornu Leiku)

The World Boxing Organization has sanctioned the Juarez-Dogboe fight for the interim WBO 122lb title. WBO super bantamweight champion Jessie Magdaleno will be required to face the winner of the Juarez vs. Dogboe fight as soon as the WBO orders him to. It’s not likely that the Top Rank promoted Magdaleno will make that fight until the WBO orders it. Magdaleno will be fighting on ESPN on March 10 against an opponent still to be determined.

#1 WBO Juarez, 26, will be the visiting fighter taking on the hometown guy in 23-year-old Dogboe. The Mexican Juarez has the experience advantage over Dogboe. Juarez has been in with former 5 division world champion Nonito Donaire, Jorge Lara, Hugo Partida, and Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. Unfortunately, Juarez has lost to most of those guys. That’s the downside. However, Juarez is coming into this Saturday’s fight with a 3-fight winning streak, and he’s been looking good as of late.

Juarez gave Donaire all he could handle 2 years ago in losing a 12 round unanimous decision in a fight for the vacant WBO World super bantamweight title. The fight was a lot closer than the scores handed down by the judges. Juarez has never been beaten soundly during his 7-year pro career. He’s always hung tough when facing good opposition.

Juarez is trying to get a title shot against WBO super bantamweight champion Jessie Magdaleno. With a win over Dogboe, Juarez will be in position to fight Magdaleno. Juarez was set to face Magdaleno last month on November 11 in Fresno, California. However, Magdaleno suffered an injury and couldn’t take the fight. So instead of Juarez fighting for a world title against Magdaleno, he’ll be traveling to #3 WBO Dogboe’s home country of Ghana to fight for the interim WBO 122lb. title. It’s not a great deal for Juarez, because he now he has to jump through an extra hoop to get the title shot that he should have already been getting.

“I know what this fight means to me and what a great opportunity this is to realize my dream of becoming a world champion,” Juarez said to espn.com. “I will take full advantage of this opportunity and bring back the championship to Mexico and to everyone that has always believed in me. I will leave everything in the ring to win this fight.”

Dogboe has recent wins over Javier Nicholas Chacon, Julian Eraristo Aristule, Neil John Tabanoa and Edward Kakembo. Dogboe has been looking good, but he’s not fought anyone remotely as good as Juarez. This will be a really big test for Dogboe.