Puerto Rico vs. Mexico Again at Fantasy Springs and More

One of Puerto Rico’s two world champions, Angel “Tito” Acosta, defends the WBO light flyweight strap against greedy Mexico which already has a dozen world titles at the moment.

Why can’t they let Puerto Rico keep their titles?

Acosta (19-1, 19 KOs), a knockout artist from San Juan, looks to keep his country’s honor intact as he fights Mexico’s veteran Ganigan Lopez (35-8, 19 KOs) on Saturday March 30. The WBO title takes place at Fantasy Springs in Indio, Calif. DAZN will stream the card.

The last time a Puerto Rican world champion walked into this same desert casino was a mere two months ago when Felix Machado was knocked out by Mexican-American fighter Andrew Cancio.

Those greedy Mexicans, I tell you. They can’t let the Boricuas keep anything.

Puerto Rico’s other world champion, Emmanuel Rodriguez, has the IBF bantamweight belt and he’s set to fight Japan’s assassin Naoya Inoue. Not good. But at least you can’t blame that on Mexico.

Both countries have a long and bloody history of clashing with an extra degree of passion and anger. Whenever each side sees the other’s flags the eyes must turn red and their body temperatures rise up a few notches.

But over the years their battles have become legendary.

Puerto Rico’s first world champion Sixto Escobar won the bantamweight title and had the nerve to travel to Mexico City in 1935 and promptly lost to Juan Zurita. Luckily, it wasn’t a title fight and Escobar returned to Puerto Rico with his belt. Later, in 1939, he fought another Mexican in Oakland and lost again. And once again the title was not at stake. But Escobar soon gave up the title after being unable to make weight.

A number of other great Puerto Rican world champions had epic battles with Mexican world champions like Carlos Ortiz, Wilfredo Benitez and of course Wilfredo “Bazooka” Gomez. Who can forget all of the Mexican warriors Gomez conquered like Alberto Davila, Juan Antonio Lopez, Carlos Zarate, Juan “Kid” Meza, and Lupe Pintor. The only Mexican to beat Gomez was the great Salvador Sanchez in an historic battle that took place in Las Vegas in 1981.

Over the decades the Puerto Rico vs. Mexico rivalry has become one of the best. No other countries equal this bitter feud between two countries separated by the Caribbean Sea. When their fighters meet they bring the heat. Nothing less.

Now here’s Acosta looking to keep his title.

Don’t think the Mexicans haven’t tried before. Acosta has already met five Mexicans and all five have been knocked out. But they keep coming with their hands up looking to take another title away from Puerto Rico.

I tell you. Mexicans are greedy. Puerto Rico can’t have anything nice without the Mexicans messing things up.

Acosta is wagging his finger at them, telling them no, no, no. This is mine.

“My last knockout was real strong,” said Acosta who knocked out Mexico’s Angel Rodriguez in his last defense. “But I’m facing a Mexican with experience and everybody knows to expect a war.”

Those Mexicans keep coming for more.

Other Bouts

Joet Gonzalez (21-0) meets Rodrigo Guerrero (26-7-2) in a 10-round fight for the vacant NABO featherweight title. Last year Gonzalez fought Tijuana’s Rafael Rivera and was in a do or die battle. That fight ended in a somewhat controversial split decision with some observers claiming Gonzalez might not be as good as others claimed. But when the same Rivera troubled WBC featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz, that made Gonzalez’s win look even better. He could be ready for the big time.

Antonio Orozco returns after his life and death battle with WBC super lightweight titlist Jose Carlos Ramirez last September. Despite the loss Orozco proved to be one of the most determined and gutsy 140-pounders around. His performance drew raves. Look for him to take advantage in this fight with Jose Luis Rodriguez (25-12-1) in a10-round super lightweight clash. His fights are always worth watching.

Neeco “The Rooster” Macias returns with his whirlwind style of fighting. He’s coming off his first loss and meets Jeremy Ramos (10-6) in a super welterweight match. Macias doesn’t let anyone including the fans take a breath. He’s the Tasmanian Devil of boxing.

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