By Chris Williams: While some boxing fans are excited about the undercard of the September 19th fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada, I’m not one of them or close to being one of them. I see nothing but a bunch of faded stars and huge mismatches on the card and it doesn’t make me want to lay out the bread to purchase the fight on PPV.
Vicente Escobedo
Escobedo vs. Katsidis on Sep 19th – News
By Dave Lahr: In a fight between talented but deeply flawed lightweight contenders, Michael Katsidis (25-2, 21 KO’s) will fight Vicente Escobedo (21-1, 13 KO’s) for the interim WBO lightweight title on the undercard of the Juan Manuel Marquez bout vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. on September 19th at the MGM Grand, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Katsidis, 28, is ranked number #1 in the WBO, #12 International Boxing Federation and #14 in the WBC.
Escobedo Decisions Hernandez
By Manuel Perez: 2004 U.S. Olympian light welterweight Vicente Escobedo (20-1, 12 KOs) defeated veteran Carlos Hernandez (43-8-1, 24 KOs) by a 10-round unanimous decision tonight at the Frank Erwin Center, in Austin, Texas. The final judges’ scores were 96-91, 94-93 and 95-91. I personally scored the fight a draw. Escobedo, 26, knocked Hernandez down in the 1st round with a big right hand, and also dropped in the 2nd round as well.
Katsidis-Chavez, Valero-Pitalua & Escobedo-Hernandez Predictions
By Dave Lahr: Undefeated knockout artist Edwin Valero (24-0, 24 KOs) will be fighting 39-year-old Antonio Pitalua (46-3, 40 KOs) for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) lightweight title on Saturday night at the Frank Erwin Center, in Austin, Texas. Ranked number #1 in the division, Valero, 27, is hoping to impress as he’s making his first appearance in the United States in six years since 2003.
Escobedo Stops Salcido – Boxing News
By Manuel Perez: Once beaten lightweight prospect Vicente Escobedo (19-1, 12 KOs) scored a sudden 6th round technical knockout over his previously unbeaten opponent Dominic Salcido (16-1, 8 KOs) in a scheduled 10-round bout at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California. Escobedo, 26, a former 2004 Olympian, appearing to be trailing in the fight with swelling under both eyes in the 6th, suddenly landed a perfect left hook to the head of Salcido just as he was attempting to throw a punch of his own.
The left snapped Salcido’s head back, causing him to step backwards. Escobedo then followed up with a right hand, then a left-right combination to send him down to the canvas. Salcido groggily got to his feed, badly hurt, and continued fighting. Escobedo, not to waste the opportunity, charged after him hitting him with two left hands and then a right that whiplashed Salcido’s head as he stood with his back to the ropes. Referee David Mendoza then jumped in and stopped the fight at 0:42 of the round.