Avila Perspective, Chap. 215: Warrington, Teofimo, Crawford and More

Avila Perspective, Chap. 215: Warrington, Teofimo, Crawford and More

Must get those fights in before the end of the year.

All day on Saturday from Southern California to Leeds, England the boxing world battles for attention with marquee fights on overload.

England’s Josh Warrington (31-1-1, 8 KOs) opens up the day with an IBF featherweight title defense against Mexico’s Luis Alberto Lopez (26-2, 15 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 10, at First Direct Arena in Leeds. The Matchroom Boxing card will be streamed by DAZN.

“Sometimes my name doesn’t get the respect it deserves. I’m not asking for it but I’ve been in with challengers all throughout my career. I’ve just got to concentrate on what I do best and I believe it will be enough to get me a win on Saturday night,” said Warrington.

Warrington walks in with a three-inch height advantage over Lopez. Too bad he’s not fighting the other Mexican, Mauricio Lara, who is the only fighter with a win over the Leeds fighter. Lopez is known to Southern California boxing fans.

“It’s great to be here once again, and this time to be facing a champion. I always come here as a warrior for war and I won’t be going home without that world title,” said Lopez who hails from Mexicali, home of Alfredo “El Perro” Angulo.

If Warrington defeats Lopez it sets up a rematch with the heavy-hitting Mauricio Lara of Mexico who has a win and draw against the Leeds fighter.

Spicing up the Matchroom Boxing card will be female IBF bantamweight titlist Ebanie “Blonde Bomber” Bridges warring against Shannon “Shotgun” O’Connell in the co-main. These fellow Aussies do not like each other.

“I’m really happy that we’re finally here. It’s been a long time coming, a lot of dodging and trying to get around the fight but we’re here now and there’s no hiding,” said O’Connell.

Bridges shrugs at the words.

“All that matters is what happens in the ring on Saturday night. That’s when she’ll find out how serious I take this sport,” said Bridges at the press conference. “I think Shannon O’Connell is my hardest fight and I’m taking it very seriously. I’m not underestimating her at all.”

It’s a sterling fight card to open up the day.

Terence Crawford vs David Avanesyan

After years of back-and-forth verbal tussling Terence Crawford (38-0, 29 KOs) abandoned hope of luring any fellow American welterweights. Instead, he’s fighting Russia’s David Avanesyan (29-3-1, 17 KOs) on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the CHI Health Center in Omaha, Nebraska. BLK Prime pay-per-view will telecast the Next Gen Boxing, Bash Boxing Promotion event.

“I’m still really excited about this one in my hometown. I’m sure there will be a lot of first-time boxing fans who haven’t been able to see me live, and they’ll get the opportunity to see me right in their backyards,” said Crawford who lives and trains in Omaha.

Crawford, a three-division world titlist, last fought a year ago when he stopped and retired Shawn Porter in the 10^th round in Las Vegas. Since then, he was unable to finalize a deal with PBC to lure Errol Spence Jr. into the ring.

Avanesyan is ranked high in the welterweights and was the fighter who retired Hall of Fame boxer Sugar Shane Mosley in 2015. He always fights hard and is best described as a grinder. He just battles and battles unspectacularly like a Sherman tank.

“A win against the #1 pound-for-pound fighter in boxing, will make me one of the biggest names in the sport. I would become a household name and a top-5 pound-for-pound fighter,” said Avanesyan. “Beating Terence Crawford will change my life forever. I am better than ever, and I am about to be the one that everyone in boxing talks about.”

Both are roughly the same size. The advantage comes with Crawford’s speed.

The rest of the boxing card is not spectacular, but showcases some good talent.

Teofimo vs Martin

Just when he was on the verge of busting out as a superstar, Teofimo Lopez lost to George Kambosos and you know the rest. Still, he possesses eye-popping talent.

“The only surprise that I think everyone will see is how much better I got since my first career loss. What I would like to tell everyone here is that you never really lose. The only time you ever really lose is when you quit,” said Lopez.

Lopez (17-1, 13 KOs) meets Spain’s Sandor Martin (40-2, 13 KOs) a hit and run southpaw fighter with little pop but on who can take a punch on Saturday at Madison Square Garden in New York City. ESPN+ will show the Top Rank card.

Martin (pictured on the right) was the last man to defeat Southern California’s Mikey Garcia. That, in itself, is an accomplishment. No need to say more.

“It’s very difficult to be a boxer and come out of Spain. It’s taken a professional career of 42 professional fights across 11 years to have an opportunity like this. As soon as I got the opportunity, I couldn’t reject it,” said Martin making his second appearance on American shores.

Lopez last fought this past summer at super lightweight and exploded on Mexico’s Pedro Campa to win various regional super lightweight titles. Now he battles legend-beater Martin to decide who moves on to a world title challenge.

“It’s all about giving the fans what they really want,” said Lopez.

Elite Boxing Promotions at Commerce

A dozen Southern California prospects headline an Elite Boxing Promotions card at Commerce Casino on Saturday Dec. 10. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Among those entering the prize ring are Adrian Alvarado, Francisco Casillas, Jose Elias, Joshua Anton, and Osvaldo Lopez.

For more information call (323) 455-9763.

The Commerce Casino is located at 6131 Telegraph Rd. Commerce, Calif. 90040.

Infuencer Fight League

Influencer Fight League presents its Holiday Edition fight card on Saturday, Dec. 10, at the Famecast Studio in Santa Monica, California. Doors open at 3:30 p.m.

A slew of social media influencers fight each other including KC Fantastic LA versus Julio Lopez. So far this year the IFL has staged several shows and have gained a wide-ranging audience in the Los Angeles area.

For tickets go to www.fittvnetwork.com

Fights to Watch

Sat. DAZN 11 a.m. Josh Warrington (31-1-1) vs Luis Lopez (26-2); Ebanie Bridges (8-1) vs Shannon O’Connell (23-6-1).

Sat. ESPN+ 10:15 a.m. Michael Conlan (17-1) vs Karim Guerfi (31-6).

Sat. ESPN 6 p.m. Teofimo Lopez (17-1) vs Sandor Martin (40-2).

Sat. BLK pay-per-view 6 p.m. Terence Crawford (38-0) vs David Avanesyan (29-3-1).

Teofimo-Martin Photo Credit: Mikey Williams / Top Rank via Getty Images

To comment on this story in the Fight Forum CLICK HERE