The reigning WBA and WBO Junior featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba will put up his championship belts on Saturday, July 19 at the Cotai Arena in Macao, China, against Sod Kokietgym of Thailand, a fighter that hasnt lost a fight since 2006. This marks the second title defense Rigondeaux will make since he unified the belts against then fifth ranked pound for pound boxer in the world Nonito Donaire, in April 2013.
Also headlining the fight card is the fight between Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zuo Shiming and Luis De La Rosa, for the vacant WBO International flyweight championship belt.
The rest of the fight card features a lot of fights that should be very interesting to watch, which we preview below.
Kuok Kun Ng (4-0-0, 2 KOs) vs. Beau OBrien (4-0-1, 1 KO)
Hometown fighter Ng will be taking on fellow undefeated fighter OBrien, in a fight between inexperienced fighters trying to establish themselves in their division.
Fight Line: There is no line available for this fight.
Personal Pick: The hometown favorite will win the fight and remain undefeated.
Ik Yang (15-0-0, 1NC, 10 KOs) vs. Rachmongkol Sor Pleonchit (14-8-0, 6 KOs)
This is a great opportunity for Yang to improve his record, because he is going up against a fighter that has lost six of his last seven fights.
Fight Line: There is no available line for this fight.
Personal Pick: Yang will win this fight.
Rex Tso (13-0-0, 8KOs) vs. John Bajawa (12-6-0, 6 KOs)
Tso will try to establish himself as one of the best bantamweight fighters when he takes on Bajawa in this eight round fight.
Fight Line: There is no available line for this fight.
Personal Pick: Tso will emerge victorious in a close fight.
Egor Mekhontsev (3-0-0, 3 KOs) vs. Mike Mirafuente (2-0-0, 2 KOs)
Both fighters dont have a lot of experience professionally, but Mekhonstev has a great amateur pedigree, and has won an Olympic gold medal. A win will help either fighter climb up the light heavyweight division.
Fight Line: There is no available line for this fight.
Personal Pick: Mekhonstev shouldnt have a lot of problems taking care of Mirafuente.
Brian Viloria (33-4-0, 19 KOs) vs. Jose Alfredo Zuniga (11-5-1, 5 KOs)
Viloria lost his flyweight championship belt to Juan Francisco Estrada in a disappointing split decision, and is trying to work his way back up the flyweight ladder, to earn a rematch, while Zuniga is trying to establish himself in the division, and knows that defeating the former champion will help his cause.
Fight Line: There is no available line for this fight.
Personal Pick: Viloria will find a way to win the fight.
Gilberto Ramirez (28-0-0, 22 KOs) vs. Junior Talipeau (20-2-1, 7 KOs)
This has the potential to be one of the best fights of the night, Gilberto Ramirez will be defending his NABF Super middleweight and WBO/NABO Super middleweight belts for the first time against Talipeau, a fighter that can frustrate him with his speed.
Fight Line: There is no available line for this fight.
Personal Pick: Ramirez has a lot of power, and will likely knock Talipeau out.
Guillermo Rigondeaux (13-0-0, 8 KOs) vs. Sod Kokietgym (63-2-1, 28 KOs)
Olympic gold winner Rigondeaux is one of the most feared junior featherweights, and he is defending his unified belts against Kokietgym, a fighter that has won 37 straight fights, the fight looks even on paper, but when you consider Kokietgyms age, and the fact that he hasnt fought any tough opponents during his streak, gives Rigondeaux the edge.
Fight Line: Rigondeaux is heavily favored in this fight; the line is currently at -7500.
Personal Pick: Rigondeaux will win this fight easily.
Zou Shiming (4-0-0, 1 KO) vs. Luis De La Rosa (23-3-1, 13 KOs)
Both men will be fighting for the opportunity to become the new WBO International flyweight title, since the vacant title is up for grabs in this fight. Shiming, the Olympic gold medal winner for China is not as experienced as De La Rosa, but he will be favored to win the belt in front of his home crowd.
Fight Line: There is no available line for this fight.