WBO super bantamweight titleholder Jessie Magdaleno will headline a Top Rank on ESPN by defending his belt against Mexico’s extremely game Cesar Juarez on November 11th in Fresno, California. Promising but inactive Russian light heavyweight contender Artur Beterbiev will be featured in the co-main event as well.
Jessie Magdaleno (25-0, 18 KOs), 25, won his belt in November of last year by outpointing longtime elite fighter Nonito Donaire in what was a huge step up for the young Las Vegas based fighter. After what could basically be called a victory lap defense over a non-contender in April, this is Magdaleno’s return against a known fighter. Cesar Juarez (20-5, 15 KOs) isn’t exactly an elite contender, but he is an extremely tough and durable foe who will likely be there still pushing the young champion until the final bell.
Russia’s Artur Beterbiev (11-0, 11 KOs) was one of the absolute hottest emerging contenders in all of boxing at the tail end of 2014 through early 2015. In only his first eight fights, he had accomplished major wins such as smashing out former top light heavyweights like Tavoris Cloud and Gabriel Campillo. Promotional disputes have all but completely stalled out his momentum, however, and this will be his very first fight in all of 2017 after wasting 2016 against low level opposition. Germany’s Enrico Koelling (23-1, 6 KOs) isn’t exactly a step back up, but this is an IBF eliminator that should put Beterbiev in line to fight Andre Ward should he prevail as expected.
Finally, a great little under the radar opener will make this card a tripleheader. Top Rank is pitting two of their better late stage prospects against one another in former US Olympian Jose Ramirez (20-0, 15 KOs), 25, against 24 year old skilled southpaw Mike Reed (23-0, 12 KOs). One of these fighters will graduate to fully being a contender while the other will take their first loss. Top Rank doesn’t usually book fights like this and it is a bit strange, but I will gladly take it.
The card will go down on November 11th, the date originally reserved for Jeff Horn’s and Manny Pacquiao’s since delayed rematch. It will begin at 10:30 PM Eastern and air on ESPN from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. All in all it isn’t a bad show.
