By Miguel Maravilla
Zuffa Boxing is back this weekend from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas live on Paramount+ headlined by WBC welterweight champion Ryan Garcia (25-2, 20 KOs) as he takes on England’s Conor Benn (25-1, 14 KOs). The main undercard features a cruiserweight championship match as Jai Opetaia squares off against WBC champion Noel Mikaeljan . Heavyweight Da’Mazian Van Houter (12-0, 9 KOs) takes on Raphael Akpejiori (19-3, 18 KOs). Lightweights Andres Cortes (25-0, 13 KOs) and former world champion Mark Magsayo (29-2, 19 KOs) open the card.
A look at what to expect this weekend.
Preliminary Fight to Watch
Welterweights Jose Ramirez (29-3, 18 KOs) of Avenal, California vs. Alexis Rocha (26-2-1, 16 KOs) of Santa Ana, California.
There is a lot at stake for both fighters, the former world champion Ramirez is coming off back to back losses to Arnold Barboza and Devin Haney as he looks to turn it around and get back in the picture. Rocha won a unanimous decision over Ramirez’s 2012 U.S. Olympic teammate Joseph Diaz Jr. in his last fight now looks to make it back to back wins against Olympians and land a potential title shot.
This is one of those fights that has the makings of Woody Harrelson and Antonio Banderas’s fight in the 1999 movie Play It to the Bone. With a potential marquee fight down the line for the winner, expect both to lay it all on the line as Ramirez and Rocha have never shy away from exchanging and bring a fan friendly style.
The Pick: This can go either way. It’s a pick ’em fight.
Andres Cortes vs. Mark Magsayo
Las Vegas’s own Andres Cortes goes up against the Filipino Magasayo. Cortes made his Zuffa debut in April winning a unanimous decision over Eridson Garcia. In what will be Cortes biggest test to date as Magasayo has been against world class fighters such as Gary Russell Jr., Rey Vargas, and Brandon Figueroa. Magsayo scored a fifth-round stoppage over Feargal McCrory also on the same card.
Expect Magsayo to bring the fight here as he has never been one to shy away from engaging. Look for Cortes to work patiently, create space and counter boxing away. A chess match the first half of the fight with Cortes adjusting and executing the second half of the fight.
The Pick: Andres Cortes by Unanimous Decision.
Da’Mazian Van Houter vs. Raphael Akpejiori
The St. Petersburg Florida heavyweight prospect Van Houter disposed of Raphel Murphy in the first round in his last fight as he’s ready to take on the Nigerian. Akpejiori dropped a decision to Mourad Aliev in his bid at the WBC International Silver title in his last fight as he looks to bounce back against the undefeated prospect.
Van Houter, always a fast starter with knockout power, will come looking for the fight as Akpejori will be towering over Van Houter boxing and will look to take the fight into later rounds.
The Pick: Da’Mazian Van Houter KO
Jai Opetaia vs. Noel Mikaeljan
In a clash between two cruiserweight champions, Opetaia, the Ring Magazine and Zuffa Boxing champion meets WBC champion Mikaeljan in the co-feature. Opetaia won his first world title when he defeated Mairis Breidis by unanimous decision to win the vacant back in 2022. Making his Zuffa Boxing debut early this year in March, Opetaia went the distance in winning a unanimous decision over Brandon Glanton and capturing the Zuffa Title. Mikaeljan is coming off a unanimous decision over Badou Jack in a rematch, thus regaining his WBC title.
Interestingly this fight has been threatened with a Cease and Desist Letter on the part of Don King Productions. Mikaeljan’s promoter Don King has issued the letter claiming he holds the exclusive worldwide promotional rights for WBC cruiserweight champion Noel Mikaeljan. Despite the legal threat the fight will move forward. Stay tuned.
This is an interesting matchup as Opetaia, the boxer puncher that can end a fight quickly, goes up against the durable and savvy Mikaeljan. This fight can be competitive if Mikaeljan is able to withstand Opetaia’s power early on. I see this being a very hard fought fight on the part of Opetaia as Mikaeljan will prove to be a tough out.
The Pick Opetaia by late stoppage or decision.
Ryan Garcia vs. Conor Benn
In what has become a grudge match since the buildup between the two, Garcia will be defending his WBC welterweight title he won early this year over Mario Barrios for the first time. Benn, the son of British legend and former world champion Nigel Benn, avenged his only defeat to Chris Eubank Jr in winning a unanimous decision and is coming off a unanimous decision over former world champion Regis Prograis.
A fast paced fight from the opening bell, Garcia will be boxing from a distance working the jab and patiently awaiting the openings with power shots (left hook or right hand). I feel Benn is going to have to make this a rough fight and cut Garcia’s reach. Benn can’t afford to be reckless or he will get caught by a Garcia power shot. Overall, it’s going to be a fun fight.
The Pick Garcia by Decision 116-112.
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