Avila Perspective, Chap. 228: Viva Las Vegas, Back in the Boxing Spotlight

Not too long ago the big boxing events were always held in the glittering city of Las Vegas.

It was a natural fit.

A semblance of that Las Vegas glitter returns for back-to-back days this weekend at two locations in the casino city.

Golden Boy Promotions begins the summer season with super middleweights Darius Fulgham (14-0, 12 KOs) and Bektemir “the Bully” Melikuziev (15-1, 10 KOs) scrapping for validation as contenders on Friday, May 30, at Virgin Hotels. DAZN will stream the card.

Both Melikuziev and Fulgham fight under the Golden Boy banner but it’s time to find out which 168-pounder is the real deal. The winner might get a stab at one of the world titles out there.

“There is going to be separation in the super middleweight division,” Fulghum explained. “(WBA Interim Champion Caleb) Plant fights the day after my fight in Las Vegas, but ‘Canelo’ (Alvarez) holds all the cards.”

The rest of the Golden Boy card is filled with the company’s prospects. When your top money-maker (Ryan Garcia) loses, it’s time to look for the next Golden goose in a hurry. The L.A. group still has an ace in its pocket with Vergil Ortiz Jr.

Friday fights are always fun. It allows boxing people time to gather after the fight card and discuss the landscape, toss a few drinks and debate about the next day’s events.

Las Vegas has hundreds of locations to discover or revisit.

The very first time I ever covered a major Las Vegas boxing card as a reporter was Oscar De Hoya’s clash with Puerto Rico’s John Molina in February 1995. It was held at the MGM Garden Arena which was brand new at the time.

De La Hoya defended the WBO lightweight world title and that led to a showdown with Rafael Ruelas who held the IBF version. They would meet on May 6, 1995 at Caesars Palace outdoors. Two crosstown L.A. guys going at it. De La Hoya won and became a made man.

Vegas was much different back then.

Today, you spend $20 or more on parking alone at many places. And if you want to eat, you better break the bank. Plus, many casinos are doing away with valets and concierges. Gambling was key to the town’s survival but now a shift has taken place to accommodate the young non-gambler types.

Las Vegas is always changing and always adapting.

Saturday Night in Vegas

Two former world champions co-headline a boxing card when Caleb Plant (23-2, 14 KOs) meets Armando Resendiz (15-2, 11 KOs) and Jermall Charlo (33-0, 22 KOs) meets Thomas LaManna (39-5-1, 18 KOs) at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino on Saturday, May 31.

Amazon Prime will stream the TGB card free for subscribers.

The Mandalay is probably my favorite arena for boxing.

Plant and Canelo seemingly don’t get along. I say seemingly because boxing today is filled with cliché statements and play acting to sell tickets. Everyone “mad dogs”, everyone especially at weigh-ins and press conferences.

I never give credence to any of it.

Plant and Charlo won’t be fighting each other on this card. At least not formally. But should both win, they could meet later this year.

Charlo, 35, has not entered the prize ring in more than 18 months when he defeated Jose Benavidez in the same arena he is fighting LaManna on Saturday. It’s a solid test for the Texas-based fighter while he removes rust from inactivity.

“I need to get some rounds in,” said Charlo, adding that if LaManna makes one wrong move it will end in a knockout.

LaManna, 33, is a Jersey guy who has failed against top tier fighters in the past. But the fighter known as “Cornflake” has not lost a fight in four years.

“I’m going to shock the world by any means,” LaManna said.

You never know what to expect in the prize ring.

In the co-main event Plant faces hard-grinding Resendiz who fights out of Los Angeles.

“I’m giving it my all,” said Plant. “He may have nothing to lose, but I have everything to lose.”

Plant, 32, has two losses but both came against two of the best and strongest fighters in the world in David Benavidez and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. No shame in those losses. He is gunning for respectability.

The Las Vegas-based fighter has always chased the big dogs when he could have taken the softer routes. Publicly he has denounced Charlo and that seems to have led to an eventual showdown. Seemingly.

Resendiz knows what is in front of him.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime,” Resendiz said.

Shigeoka in Critical Condition in Japan

Ginjiro Shigeoka suffered a brain bleed during his fight against Pedro Taduran and was taken to the hospital to undergo emergency surgery.

Shigeoka, 25, was facing Taduran again after losing the IBF minimumweight title to him last summer. He was knocked down during the rematch and lost by split-decision after 12 rounds on Saturday, May 24. Following the decision Shigeoka lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital. He remains in critical condition.

Munguia PED test

Mexico’s Jaime Munguia tested positive for a banned substance following his win over France’s Bruno Sarace according to Ring Magazine. The fight took place on May 4, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Testing was done by VADA (Voluntary Anti-Doping Association).

Munguia could face suspension by the British Boxing Board of Control who had jurisdiction over the boxing card. Also, the result of the fight that saw Munguia win by decision could be ruled a No Contest.

Fights to Watch

Fri. DAZN 6 p.m. Darius Fulgham (14-0) vs Bektemir Melikuziev (15-1).

Sat. Amazon Prime 5 p.m. Caleb Plant (23-2) vs Armando Resendiz (15-2); Jermall Charlo (33-0) vs Thomas LaManna (39-5-1).

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