Avila Perspective, Chap. 335: Christy Martin’s SoCal Fight Card Bleeds Into a Stacked Saturday

Avila Perspective, Chap. 335: Christy Martin’s SoCal Fight Card Bleeds Into a Stacked Saturday

Legendary Christy Martin brings her fighters to Southern California on Friday.

Martin won’t be fighting but she has a slew of welterweights including Luis Lopez (16-2-3) facing Adrian Vargas (15-0-1) at Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif. on Friday, July 18. The Christy Martin Promotions and Patrick Ortiz Ringside Ticket show will be streamed on Millions PPV.

To watch go to this link: https://millions.co/cmppromotions/streams/cmp-pechanga-resort-casino

Martin has been promoting for quite a few years now and usually promotes her shows in the southeast US. She is bringing her best to the west. The live stream will be hosted by Al Bernstein, Martin and Eric Bottjer.

Pechanga Casino has been the site of many great battles including Shane Mosley vs Wilfredo Rivera, James Toney vs Hasim Rahman, and many others. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Stacked Saturday

Three cities big and small have critical fight cards on Saturday.

London gets first call as heavyweights Oleksandr Usyk (23-0, 14 KOs) and Daniel Dubois (22-2, 21 KOs) meet again to determine the true heavyweight champion of the world at Wembley Stadium in Wembley, England. DAZN pay-per-view will cover the Queensberry Promotions card.

The last time they met, Dubois dropped Usyk with a powerful body shot on the belt line. The fighter feigned foul and the referee agreed. Usyk was down for a while. But replays of the blow showed it was not a groin shot.

Dubois should have been anointed champion but was later in that fight stopped by Usyk who retained the world titles. It’s really tough to out-smart Usyk.

In September 2024, Dubois got another shot when he met IBF titlist Anthony Joshua and punished the fighter before ending the match with a spectacular knockout.

Dubois and Usyk are ready to go again.

“I’ve got new goals to set and new guys to knock out,” said Dubois. “I’ve got to start by taking all the belts.”

Usyk continues to marvel the boxing world. Can he do it again?

Pacman in Las Vegas

A massive boxing card headed by Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (62-8-2) returning to challenge WBC welterweight titlist Mario “Aztec Warrior” Barrios (29-2-1) at the MGM Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Amazon pay-per-view and PPV.com will stream the TGB card.

Pacquiao was recently inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame. But like many fighters before him, the quicksilver Filipino southpaw is returning to test his magic.

Former foe Chris Algieri, who incidentally will be covering the fight card for PPV.com as a journalist, fought Pacman back in November 2014, a few months before Floyd Mayweather.

“I expected a lot, and he was even better. Manny was a whole different level,” said Algieri who had just defeated the dangerous Ruslan Provodnikov for the WBO super lightweight title. “It was my 21st pro fight, he had more than double that. His ability to control the space, the pace and his execution was exceptional.”

Algieri lost by unanimous decision in Macao. He would later go on to fight a who’s who of elite boxers that included Amir Khan, Errol Spence Jr. and Conor Benn. An amazing array of talent that he faced in his career. For the Las Vegas boxing card, he will be conversing with fans via PPV.com chat during the immense boxing card that includes a rematch for the super welterweight world title rematch between Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu.

Others on the heavy duty boxing card are Isaac Cruz meeting Angel Fierro in another rematch. Both Mexicans want another crack at each other. Cruz wants a knockout. Fierro believes he won their last encounter.

Another potentially explosive fight pits Brandon Figueroa versus Joet Gonzalez. There will be blood.

Check out the PPV.com coverage that includes Algieri who would have a masters degree in pugilism if boxing handed them out. Oh, that’s right, he does have a masters degree in clinical nutrition. Feel free to chat with him during the matches.

Bam and Ammo in Texas

A couple of Texans return to their stomping grounds to show off their skills in front of the home folk.

Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KOs) who holds the WBC super fly title will challenge WBO super fly titlist Phumelele Cafu (11-0-3, 8 KOs) on Saturday July 19, at The Ford Center in Frisco, Texas. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.

Cafu is the taller fighter and recently defeated Kosei Tanaka by split-decision in Japan. The South African has sharp skills and power.

Rodriguez, who trains at the Robert Garcia Boxing Academy in Riverside, Calif., already has another match in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia set up in November should he win. Is that wise?

Also on the same card is Austin “Ammo” Williams (18-1) who fights Ivan Vazquez (11-0-2) in a middleweight clash. This is William’s third bout since losing to Hamzah Sheeraz who recently decimated Edgar Berlanga in a super middleweight fight. That should make Williams slightly happier.

Another key matchup pits super middleweight contender Diego Pacheco (23-0) against Trevor McCumby (28-1) who only lost to former world champion Caleb Plant. Both are highly ranked by sanctioning organizations and seek an opportunity to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, assuming the Mexican superstar retains his undisputed status vs Terence Crawford in September. A win puts the winner on the top of the list.

Fights to Watch

Fri. Millions ppv 6 p.m. Luis Lopez (16-2-3) vs Adrian Vargas (15-0-1).

Sat. DAZN ppv 9 a.m. Oleksandr Usyk (23-0) vs Daniel Dubois (22-2).

Sat. Amazon ppv 5 p.m. Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2) vs Mario Barrios (29-2-1).

Sat. DAZN 4 p.m. Jesse Rodriguez (21-0) vs Phumelele Cafu (11-0-3).

Photo credits:

Usyk-Dubois: Leigh Dawney / Queensberry Promotions

Pacquiao-Barrios: Esther Lin / Premier boxing Champions

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