Welterweight contender Jessie Vargas is set to clash with Timothy Bradley on June 27th at the StubHub Center, California. The Bradley vs Vargas HBO headliner is finalized, and hopefully Vargas’ new trainer, boxing legend Erik Morales, will be a permanent member of his camp.
Vargas, 26, who will enter the ring with 26 wins and 9 knockouts, recently made the switch after trainer Roy Jones Jr’s absence became too much. Jones, a former world champion who frequents as a boxing analyst, was then replaced as he was about to miss two whole weeks of camp.
Vargas quite rightly began to seek out another trainer, and quickly employed Morales. Since hanging up his gloves in 2013, Morales has trained several fighters. But none at elite level given his training career is still in its infancy.
Not that too many fighters would care too much. Why would they when Morales’ glittering career speaks for itself? The Mexican fighter, now 38, boasts a 19-year career which saw him capture four world titles in different weight divisions.
After a brief flirt in the Junior Welterweight ranks, Vargas will now be returning back to 147-pounds to find Bradley. At Junior Welterweight, he defended both of his titles against then-unbeaten Anton Novikov and Antonio DeMarco.
In Bradley, 31, he will no doubt find the toughest challenge of his career. What Bradley lacks in punch power, he makes up for in remarkable grit and determination. The former WBO champ, who lost his title to Manny Pacquiao in 2014, is also one of the sport’s most athletic fighters. He is seldom overlooked by opponents nowadays.
Bradley’s impressive record contains victories over Lamont Peterson, Devon Alexander, Ruslan Provodnikov, Manny Pacquiao (or does it?), and Juan Manuel Marquez. His most recent encounter ended in a highly disputed Draw with Diego Chaves. Coming in, Bradley has 31 wins, 1 loss, 1 draw, and 12 knockouts.
Bradley vs Vargas, which is scheduled to broadcast on HBO, should be an entertaining spectacle for boxing fans. It’s also a pick-em fight, it has to be said.
What do you think of Vargas’ trainer switch from Jones to Morales? Is the Mexican legend the right man for the job? And what about Bradley vs Vargas itself? Who are you picking here? Let us know below!
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