Sports

Quijano: Welterweight superfight

Jingo Quijano

IT’S superfight time guys, and I’m all pumped up about this match-up.

After all it’s not every day that you get to see an undefeated four-division champ jump two more weight-classes seeking his fifth title.

And then there’s also the fact that the reigning champion he is challenging is also undefeated and considered the most dangerous fighter in his weight class.

Fight fans, it’s time for Mikey Garcia vs. Errol Spence Jr.

GARCIA. Mikey Garcia (39-0, 30KOs) is one of those fighters who just don’t give a rat’s ass about who you place in front of him.

His hit list includes former world champions Orlando Salido, Juan Manuel Lopez and Adrien Broner.

A throwback to the days when fighters actively sought out the best opponents available, Garcia is supremely confident of his abilities and doesn’t seem fazed about the fact that against Spence he will be up against a bigger, taller fighter who has developed a reputation of being the most avoided fighter in the welterweight division.

SPENCE. Errol Spence (24-0, 21 KOs) is a champion waiting to crossover into being a household name.

To me, his defining moment was his stoppage of former world champion Kell Brook in May of 2017.

What makes Spence dangerous is that he is an extremely skilled southpaw with fight-ending power in both hands.

He is cunning, calculating and rarely makes mistakes.

MY TAKE. Garcia has been pegged as the underdog in this fight, and those of you who follow this column know that I’m a sucker for the little guy.

The key here is how he can handle Spence southpaw style. Expect the latter to win the first few rounds and utilize his reach advantage to the hilt.

Garcia needs to close the gap and back Spence up to throw him off his comfort zone.

I suspect Spence might be vulnerable in the latter stages of the fight and so I’m banking on Garcia’s durability to carry him into the championship rounds and make it a war so he can eke out a close decision win.

VERBATIM. “There have been a lot of great fights when little guys came up and beat a bigger fighter. You can’t ever write off the little guy. This is going to be a hard fight.”—-IBF welterweight champion Errol Soence Jr, (www.cbssports.com)

LAST ROUNDS. Are on my UP Latagaw brod Tonying Blanco and Lagdy Villa who recently exchanged their tender “I dos.” Cheers!

MANILA. Tpday, April 30, 2024, is the deadline for the public utility vehicles (PUVs) consolidation. The unconsolidated PUVs will still be given due process, an official said.

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