Avila Perspective, Chap. 352: From Saudi to SoCal with Love

Saturday is the day for fighting.

Beginning in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and stretching later in the same day to Long Beach, California, the sport of boxing will be bringing forth world title fights in abundance.

From super flys to light heavyweights, shiny belts are up for grabs.

Early Saturday morning, if you live in California, Riyadh Season brings forth four world title fights headlined by David “Mexican Monster” Benavidez (30-0, 24 KOs) making his third appearance as a light heavyweight when he faces England’s Anthony Yarde (27-3, 24 KOs) for the WBC light heavyweight title at ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saud Arabia.

DAZN pay-per-view will stream the multi-promoted event.

Benavidez waited years for the opportunity to face Mexico’s Saul “Canelo” Alvarez and moved up in weight to search for more lucrative opportunities after cleaning out the super middleweight division.

“I want to be the greatest of my generation by the time I’m done. It starts with Anthony Yarde. I know he’s [Yarde] come in focused and prepared, but I’m ready to make it a war and I’m not leaving without a victory,” said Benavidez.

Yarde has been a light heavyweight his entire career that stretches back to 2015. His losses came to Russian light heavies Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev and to fellow Brit Lyndon Arthur. He can crack.

“There’s no pressure on me. I’m an excellent fighter and with a bit more experience I can be the best in the division. I’m excited,” said Yarde.

The British knockout artist has won only three times via decision. When he walks into the boxing ring against Benavidez he enters like a heat-seeking missile. There will be no negotiations.

Expectations by most experts are a knockout for somebody before the end of the 12^th round.

Next, will be a welterweight world title fight between WBO titlist Brian Norman (28-0, 22 KOs) and his crackling fists and the elusive Devin Haney (30-0, 15 KOs). The question is will Haney stand and fight or will he dance around the ring and bore the crowd as he did in New York City against Jose Carlos Ramirez last May?

“I want to fight the best fighters in the world, and Brian Norman Jr. is the champion and I’m the challenger. This is not the first time for me, and this is not the second time for me. This will be my third time fighting a champion and I look forward to it,” said Haney.

Haney may not have a choice against Norman who has power in each hand and a three-fight knockout streak.

“I’m the real definition of a World Champion. I’ll go anywhere and everywhere and I will stamp my flag. My name is ‘the assassin’ for a reason. Once I sign the contract it’s like that,” said Norman.

Another champion defending his titles is Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (22-0, 15 KOs) who holds the WBO and WBC super fly titles and defends against Argentina’s Fernando Martinez (18-0, 9 KOs) in a battle between the undefeated.

Rodriguez, who trains in Riverside with Robert Garcia, seeks a super fight with either of the Japanese world champions, Naoya Inoue or Junto Nakatani. Rodriguez is considered by many one of the finest boxers at any weight in the world.

“I’m here to handle business myself and go home and enjoy my win,” said Rodriguez.

The fourth world title match features southpaw Abdullah Mason (19-0, 17 KOs) who currently has a nine-fight knockout streak. The electrifying lightweight from Cleveland faces England’s undefeated Sam Noakes (17-0, 15 KOs) who is equally capable of ending a fight via knockout. They are fighting for the vacant WBO lightweight title.

“It’s a little different for me to be out here, but we are locked in and we’ve been locked in since we got here. We have business ahead of us and we are going to handle business,” said Mason.

Noakes has great expectations.

“Fireworks. You’ll have to tune in and watch,” said Noakes.

Long Beach Title Fight

Long Beach, Calif. is about 17 miles south of Los Angeles and borders Compton. It’s where 360 Promotions will stage its card on Saturday, Nov. 22, that features WBO super fly champion Mizuki “Mimi” Hiruta (9-0, 2 KOs) defending against Mexico’s Gloria Gallardo (16-3-3) at Long Beach’s Thunder Studios. UFC Fight Pass will stream the impressive card.

Hiruta has quickly become a fan favorite in the Los Angeles area. No one should be surprised when the city also embraces Japanese baseball stars Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki who helped bring a second World Series Championship to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The L.A. area has long had a love affair with Japanese athletes beginning in the 90s when Hideo Nomo signed with the Dodgers and quickly became its ace. Now Hiruta follows that same road and has enamored fans with her skills and fetching personality.

Hiruta goes by the nickname “Mimi” which fits her pink-haired bubbly persona and electric fighting prowess. Since training under Manny Robles her skills have increased and led to impressive wins four times within a year’s span.

The Japanese fighter will be accompanied on the fight card with two other talented female fighters.

Lupe Medina (11-0, 2 KOs), a pretty light flyweight, also has impressive fighting skills that have kept her undefeated so far. She meets Lilian Almarez (2-4) in a rematch from their fight one year later. Their first encounter was a hotly contested match that ended in a majority decision win for Medina. Will this time be different?

Also, super bantam Iyana “Roxy” Verduzco (6-0) faces former world title challenger Maria Salinas (27-13-6) in an eight-round affair. Verduzco is a former amateur champion with numerous national titles. It should be an interesting match.

Friday Night in Long Beach

DMG Night of Champions VI presents undefeated super fly Steven Navarro (7-0, 5 KOs) meeting Jesse Mendoza (6-1-2) in a match set for eight rounds on Friday, Nov. 21, at Thunder Studios. Millions ppv will stream the card.

The high flying Navarro has fought in Madison Square Garden and Las Vegas. Despite fighting impressive opposition, he remains undefeated.

Undefeated super feather DJ Zamora (16-0, 11 KOs) faces Brandon Valdes (15-6, 7 KOs) in a 10-round fight. Zamora is a Las Vegas native with a two-fight knockout streak.

This boxing event features eight undefeated prospects.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the first bell starts at 7 p.m. For more information go to Thunderstudios.com

Fights to Watch

Fri. Millions 7 p.m. DJ Zamora (16-0) vs Brandon Valdes (15-6).

Sat. DAZN pay-per-view 12 p.m. David Benavidez (30-0) vs Anthony Yarde (27-3); Devin Haney (30-0); Jesse Rodriguez (22-0) vs Fernando Martinez (18-0).

Sat. UFC Fight Pass 5 p.m. Mizuki Hiruta (9-0) vs Gloria Gallardo (16-3-3).

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