Avila Perspective, Chap. 143: A Look-Ahead at Friday’s Mammoth L.A. Fight Card

Avila Perspective, Chap. 143: A Look-Ahead at Friday’s Mammoth L.A. Fight Card

Two world title fights and the introduction of undefeated super middleweight Gilberto “Zurdo” Ramirez leads a massive Golden Boy Promotions boxing card on Friday in Los Angeles, the City of Angels.

Ramirez (41-0, 27 KOs) debuts for his new promotion company as a light heavyweight and immediately gets tested against veteran Sullivan Barrera (22-3, 14 KOs) on Friday July 9, at Banc of California Stadium. DAZN will stream the latter part of the large fight card.

It’s a non-title fight for Ramirez who had held the WBO super middleweight title since 2016 with five title defenses. But weight had become an issue.

The Cuban fighter Sullivan has been a master at eliminating pretenders for the light heavyweight crown. Can Ramirez pass through Sullivan?

“I know Sullivan Barrera very well and he knows me. We know that each of us always comes well prepared and ready to put on a show. But at the end of the day, I’ll be the one to come out with my hands raised in victory,” said Ramirez.

Another fighter moving up in weight is Southern California’s Jojo Diaz (31-1-1, 15 KOs) stepping in against Puerto Rico’s Javier Fortuna (36-2-1, 25 KOs) in a lightweight clash.

Diaz held the IBF super featherweight title by virtue of a bloody engagement against Tevin Farmer right before the pandemic struck and left most of the world in limbo. He fought once to a draw against Shav Rakhimov but lost the title at the weight scale. He is moving up a weight division.

The dangerous Fortuna awaits Diaz and has an impressive resume that includes wins over very good technical fighters such as Costa Rica’s Bryan Vazquez and Uganda’s Sharif Bogere.

Diaz, a former US Olympian, has extensive experience against all fighting styles and is matched against a southpaw bomber like Fortuna who was scheduled to fight Ryan Garcia. But when that fighter took a leave of absence due to personal reasons, in stepped Diaz.

Its lefty versus lefty.

Japan’s Best vs USA

Two world title fights feature Japan’s best female fighters led by Tsunami Tenkai (28-12-1, 16 KOs) defending the WBO light flyweight title against Seniesa “Super Bad” Estrada (20-0, 8 KOs) who is moving up a weight division.

Tenkai has never fought in the USA but has extensive experience fighting all over the world. She is a fearless fighter.

“I never imagined I would fight in America. There were no fighters in this weight class. But Seniesa’s accomplishments allowed this fight to happen and I am excited to show off my skills here in America to all the fans,” said Tenkai who is making her fourth defense of the WBO world title she won in March 2018.

Estrada is entering her prime and has scared off the competition in the minimumweight category where she recently won her first world title this past March. When no one at 105 pounds was willing to face her, she moved up in weight to 108 and eagerly accepted a match against the talented Tenkai.

“Golden Boy told me all my fights would be for unification or for world titles and that’s what I want,” said Estrada who lives nearby in East L.A. “It feels amazing, its everything I ever dreamed of. I started boxing when I was eight.”

It’s a scary good match.

Tenkai’s best showing was a draw against Naoko Fujioka (18-2-1, 7 KOs) who is defending her WBA flyweight title against Arizona’s Sulem Urbina (12-1) in the companion title fight.

Fujioka has won five division world titles. Five. Only Amanda Serrano has more with eight. Of course, both Serrano and Fujioka are rated among the top female fighters pound-for-pound.

Fujioka started her boxing career very late, but her incredible athleticism has allowed her to strafe through international competition and win world titles from 105-pound minimumweights to 118-pound bantamweights. She now campaigns at 112-pound flyweight and is eager to perform in front of American audiences.

“I’ve been thinking of fighting in the U.S for a long time,” said Fujioka, 45. “In Japan female boxing is not popular. So, it is very important for me and my fans and Japan boxing.”

Urbina is equally eager to show her own skills and was unflinching when asked to fight for the world title against Fujioka. It’s a primary reason that Golden Boy Promotions signed the Phoenix fighter with extensive experience in international competition.

The petite fighter can match skills with anyone or attack with impunity when needed. Many expect a furious encounter between Fujioka and Urbina. It will be shown on Facebook.com

“I’m ready to fight against the best champion in the world and that’s Naoko Fujioka,” said Urbina, 31. “I was excited to get this fight.”

Tanajara vs Zepeda

Undefeated lightweights William Zepeda (22-0, 20 KOs) and Hector Tanajara (19-0, 5 KOs) meet in a 10-round match to see who gains entry into the world title fight scenario. It’s a classic puncher versus boxer fight.

Tanajara hails from San Antonio, Texas but trains in Riverside, California with Robert Garcia. That gym is filled with talent and it’s a perfect place to prepare for war as his last win over Juan Carlos Burgos proved.

Zepeda fights out of the Mexico City area and has serious firepower. He was last seen knocking out fellow Mexican Roberto Ramirez at the Wild Card last November. He can crack.

Several other good matches take place on the same card including contenders Lamont Roach, Azat Hovhannisyan, Bryan Chevalier and more. The doors open at noon with first bell at 12:15 p.m.

Fights to Watch

Friday Facebook 12 p.m. Naoko Fujioka (18-2-1) vs Sulem Urbina (12-1); Lamont Roach (20-1-1) vs Daniel Rosas (22-4-1); Azat Hovhannisyan (19-3) vs Jose Santos Gonzalez (23-8-1).

Friday DAZN 6 p.m. Gilberto Ramirez (41-0) vs Sullivan Barrera (22-3); Seniesa Estrada (20-0) vs Tsunami Tenkai (28-12-1); Jojo Diaz (31-1-1) vs Javier Fortuna (36-2-1).

Pictured (l-r): Seniesa Estrada, Jojo Diaz, Eduardo “Zurdo” Ramirez

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