Los Mochis in Mexico hosts world title action this Saturday evening, and Eduardo ‘Sugar’ Nunez returns home to defend his IBF super featherweight title for the first time against Christopher Diaz-Velez.
Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing promote Nunez vs Diaz-Velez and DAZN televise live worldwide.
Nunez (28-1, 27 KOs) dropped a six-round decision very early on in his career, but bounced back to record 16 straight early wins, all in Mexico until he ventured to the USA to force Miguel Marriaga to retire after six rounds in August last year.
That victory led to a world title shot for the 28-year-old in May, and he grabbed the chance for the vacant IBF belt with both hands, taking a clear points win over in Japan against Masanori Rikiishi.
That was the first time that ’Sugar’ had heard the final bell since his sole career defeat. His first defence looks a safe one, with Diaz-Velez (30-5, 19 KOs) losing each time he has stepped up in class.
A former world title challenger at featherweight and super featherweight, he was halted in the 12th round by Emanuel Navarrete in 2021, before losing a majority verdict to Isaac Dogboe a fight later.
The 30-year-old has won four of his last five, but lost on points to Henry Labron last December, before winning an eight-rounder against the 9-10 Jose Antonio Meza in April.
Prediction: Nunez is a big-punching talent, and this should be a statement first defence. I think he can remove Diaz-Velez from battle in the middle rounds.
Guevara clashes with Curiel
A ten-rounder at super flyweight heads the undercard, and former WBC light flyweight champion Pedro Guevara meets the former IBF holder at the same weight in Adrian Curiel.
Guevara (43-5-1, 22 KOs) upset Andrew Moloney in Perth via split decision to take the interim WBC super flyweight belt in May last year, but would then be halted in three by Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in November.
The Mexican did record a 10-round points win in March against low-level opposition.
Curiel (26-6-1, 5 KOs) has won twice since losing his title in a rematch with Sivenathi Nontshinga in February 2024, and then dropping a technical decision to Sunny Edwards, but they have also been two low-key points wins over 10 rounds.
Prediction: Guevara can win this crossroads class on the scorecards after 10 hard rounds of action.
Remaining Undercard
The other 10-rounder is at flyweight, where Yoali Mejia Mosqueda (13-0, 10 KOs) can record another early win, this time against German Valenzuela Barreras (17-7, 12 KOs), who hasn’t previously been halted.
In six-round action, Gabriela Tellez (5-0, 2 KOs) should come through on points against Rocio Guerrero Dominguez (7-3-1).
In four-round action, Hector Beltran (3-0, 3 KOs) should win inside schedule against Moises Martinez Zumaya (2-0, 1 KO).
View this post on Instagram
The other ten-rounder is at flyweight, where Yoali Mejia Mosqueda (13-0, KO10) can record another early win, this time against German Valenzuela Barreras (17-7, KO12), who hasn’t previously been halted.
In eight-round bouts, Welterweight prospect Jorge Lugo Cota (16-0, 10 KOs) can be a stoppage winner against Mexican countryman, Jesus Lopez Perez (16-16-3, 4 KOs) and at bantamweight, Alexis Molina Aguirre (13-1-1, 5 KOs) can win on the cards in his meeting with Martin Jiminez Delgado (7-12-3, 6 KOs).
In six-rounders, at light flyweight, Andre Farca (7-3-1, 3 KOs) can take a points victory over Alejandro Jair Sarabia Ortega (5-2-1, 2 KOs) and at super lightweight, Jesus David Madero Heras (4-0-1, 3 KOs) can win inside schedule against Luis Carlo Armenta Cota (2-1, 1 KO).
View this post on Instagram
Featherweight hope Angel Sandoval Gonzalez (5-1, 5 KOs) can be an early victor against Victoriano Nunez (13-53-5, 4 KOs) and at welterweight, Alejandro Tapia (6-1, 5 KOs) may need the distance to see off Juan Macias Valenzuela (6-4-2, 2 KOs).
David Alexander Liera King (6-1, 6 KOs) can dispatch of Santiago Israel Alarcon Arellano (4-39-2, 1 KO) inside schedule.
Omar Rico (1-0) can outscore Jahir Reyna Juarez (4-1-2) at flyweight, while Jesus Anuar Vazquez Valenzuela (1-0) can win on points against Ernesto Sanchez Rodriguez (5-1, 4 KOs) at super welterweight.
Featherweight novice Jose Flores Alvarez (6-3, 6 KOs) can halt Geremy Fernando Valdez Mercado (0-1).
In minimumweight bouts, Erick Soto (6-0, 5 KOs) can win on points against Ricardo Adrian Rosales Ortiz (0-1) and Bryan Hernandez (1-0, 1 KO) can stop Jose Carlos Lucero Leyva (0-2).
