With five unbeaten prospects and one of boxing’s most exciting young competitors making up the undercard for Saturday night’s world championship showdown at the Mandalay Bay Events Center between Amir Khan and Danny Garcia, attendees will be treated to a one of the best collections of rising stars seen in one place this year, making it a must see event for all fight fans.
Heading up this talented undercard lineup will be Maryland action hero Fernando Guerrero, who meets New Hampshire’s Jose Medina in a 10 round super middleweight fight. Also hitting the ring this weekend will be unbeatens Phil Lo Greco, Daquan Arnett, Jamie Kavanagh, Abner Cotto and J’Leon Love.
The East Coast’s best-kept secret for many years, Salisbury, Maryland’s Fernando Guerrero (23-1, 18 KO’s) is on everyone’s radar now thanks to his all-action style and impressive punching power. The winner of two in a row over Robert Kliewer (TKO5) and Jason Naugler (TKO4), the 25-year-old Guerrero is prepared to put on a show in Vegas against always-tough Jose “The Stinger” Medina (17-10-1, 7 KO’s), a Mexico native now residing in Tilton, New Hampshire whose recent 5-1-1 stretch has shown that he’s ready for anyone who steps in his way.
Already an international star both in Italy and Canada, Toronto’s 28-year-old Phil “The Italian Sensation” Lo Greco (23-0, 12 KO’s) is one of Golden Boy Promotions’ most highly-touted new signees and for good reason. Fresh off of his Golden Boy Promotions debut win, a decision victory over Hector Orozco in April, Lo Greco’s next challenge will be an eight round junior welterweight showdown with fellow prospect Brandon Hoskins (16-1-1, 8 KO’s). Hannibal, Missouri’s Hoskins is looking to bounce back from the lone loss of his career in May against hot prospect Keith Thurman, and knows he has the skill and determination to do just that on Saturday.
Fighting out of Hollywood, California, Ireland native Jamie “The Nuisance” Kavanagh (10-0-1, 5 KO’s) has been in impressive form in 2012 thus far, stopping Cesar Cisneros and Jorge Ibarra in back-to-back fights. In an eight round lightweight contest this weekend, Dublin’s finest will meet up with Orange, California’s Paul Velarde (3-1-3).
An eight round middleweight fight sure to get the fans on their feet and cheering will pit Dearborn Heights, Michigan’s J’Leon Love (11-0, 7 KO’s) against Caguas, Puerto Rico’s Joseph De Los Santos (10-9-3, 4 KO’s). The 24-year old Love has ended seven of his fights in three rounds or less, but the rugged De Los Santos, the winner of seven of his last eight fights, with his only loss coming via a split decision loss to unbeaten Eddie Gomez, has no intention of leaving Las Vegas with anything less than a victory.
In a six round junior middleweight battle, Orlando’s Daquan Arnett (4-0, 2 KO’s) will look to build on the impressive start he’s had to his professional career when he faces Clearfield, Utah’s Eddie Cordova (3-2-1, 1 KO). The 19-year old Arnett is coming off of a four round victory over Yosmani Abreu last month will look to continue his winning ways.
Also representing the boxing-rich island of Puerto Rico will be Caguas prospect Abner Cotto (13-0, 5 KO’s). The cousin of fistic heroes Miguel and Jose Cotto, the 24-year-old is currently the WBC Fecarbox and Puerto Rican lightweight champion. He will meet Mexico City’s Juan Manuel Montiel (7-5-3, 2 KO’s) in an eight round bout.
Also, the stakes will be even higher in the main event as with Khan and Garcia now rated numbers one and two respectively by Ring Magazine, their fight will be waged for the prestigious Ring Magazine World Championship in addition to Garcia’s WBC title.
