Preview: Saturday Night Fever
Hectic week folks, sorry for the lack of updates. But tonight we kick things off in a big way: our own Dr. Octagon, M.D. will be ringside at Foxwoods to watch Ring middleweight champ and Stiff Jab favorite Sergio Martinez defend his title against the dangerous Sergiy Dzinziruk. Also on the undercard: Kronk Gym’s Andy Lee against Craig McEwan in a middleweight bout and rising Dominican featherweight prospect Javier Fortuna takes on Derrick Wilson.
Obviously we like Martinez to win and win big, likely via overhand left in the 8th or 9th round. Sergio has showed real class in his last few outings and despite Dzinziruk’s reputation as a skilled boxer he lacks the size or the power to threaten “El Maravilla.” Fortuna is one to watch for the future; we caught his sizzling U.S. debut at Broadway Boxing last fall and eagerly await the chance to see him against better competition.
The better-known MGM Grand in Las Vegas will host a Pay Per View card tonight headlined by Miguel Cotto defending his WBA junior middleweight strap against Nicaraguan loudmouth Ricardo Mayorga. Cotto should be able to pull this one out if he avoids a wild shot from Mayorga, who has done everything but promise to eat the Puerto Rican’s children.
The undercard features the return of future rabbi Yuri Foreman against 154 lb. contender Pawel Wolak and the second professional fight of Baltimore Ravens safety and former Notre Dame standout Tommy Zbikowski. We’ll bring you full coverage of the televised bouts early Sunday.
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Finally, our esteemed editor will return to enjoy the sights and sounds of the Patriot Center to see NoVa’s own Jimmy Lange take on Jimmy “The Fighting School Teacher” Holmes in a middleweight contest. The fight is at best a lateral move for Lange following his thrilling 10th-round KO of Joe Wyatt last November. Tonight should be a true test of the popular local fighter’s ability to sell tickets.
The affable Holmes is a full-time teacher forced to squeeze in workouts before and after class. Having never fought outside of his native Indiana, he admitted Lange is a big step up but promised us an exciting contest during a brief pre-fight phone interview. Here’s hoping he can provide half the entertainment as Lange’s war with Wyatt.
The undercard includes a rematch of a November draw between former middleweight champ William Joppy and Baltimore’s Corey “Black Ice” Cummings. Fairfax prospects Mark “TNT” Tucker (light heavyweight) and Todd “White Lightning” Wilson (junior welterweight will also be in action, as will local middleweight Tony “Mo Better” Jeter against the aptly named Mike McFail (12-41-2, 4 KOs).