FOX Friday Night Fights

by Pedro Fernandez

The FOX Friday Night Fights invade San Antonio this evening with a card topped by once beaten Mexican "Pretty Boy" Adan Vargas. The brother of former WBC champ Goyo, the elongated Adan fights nothing like his brawling sibling.

Adan will take his 26-1-1, record (19 KO's) into the ring at the Freeman Coliseum with the hopes that a win over former world title challenger Ancee Gideon, will finally put the 24 year old in a position to challenge for global recognition.

Gideon has a nice story about him. He was a homeless street urchin until he found his way in boxing. Although his record looks a bit weak at 15-8-1, 5 KO's, Gideon is a solid fighter who was thrown to the wolves often early on in his career.

A former star on the USA Tuesday Night Fights, Gideon has faced and beaten world rated competition. His matchup with Vargas is of the "Mut & Jeff" type. While Vargas is an elongated puncher, Gideon is a short boxer who fights out of a crouch.

The contrasting styles should make for a lively 12 rounder, with Vargas' NABF 118 lb. crown on the line.

The aforementioned Goyo Vargas, a WBC featherweight titleholder, will also appear on the Friday night FOX card against a foe TBA.

In the semi-main, home towner Jesse "James" Leija, a former WBC 130 lb. titleholder will tangle with Pensacola's Troy Crain in a 10 rounder. Leija, now fighting at 135 lbs. has a pro mark of 34-3-2, 14 KO's. Crain on the other hand, has a pro ledger of 14-7, 11 KO's.

Leija would like a shot at IBF world champ Shane Mosley, should he win and Mosley handle John-John Molina on HBO's BAD May 9.

A junior middleweight encounter is sure to catch your eyes if it makes the FOX broadcast will match Oklahoma's Buck Smith with San Antonio's James Coker.

As hard as it may be to believe, Smith has a professional record of 179-11-1, with 118 knockouts! Granted, most of those fights were on the "Midwest" circuit, but his numbers have been verified.

Coker is the unbeaten hometown kid at 16-0, with 10 wins coming inside the distance. Smith will be his first test.

Undefeated former US amateur champ Lance "Mount" Whitaker, will be looking for his 16th win against another home towner in Ray Butler, 4-1, 2 KO's. This eight rounder has been designated a "swing" fight meaning in the event of an early KO in one of the featured contests, America will get a chance to see "Mount" Whitaker in action.

The AMERICA PRESENTS-FOX Friday Night fight series begins at 8 PM ET (5 PM PT) and will be shown live on FOX Sports in English. The Spanish broadcast is carried on FOX AMERICAS.

Pedro Fernandez

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And don't forget! "Ring Talk" can be heard live on the TALK AMERICA Radio Networks on both Saturday & Sunday nights at 11 PM ET with LIVE Internet audio at www.talkamerica.com

Guests this Saturday will include world (IBF) lightweight champ "Sugar" Shane Mosley and AMERICA PRESENTS COO Dan Goossen. Angel Manfreddy has not yet been confirmed. The Saturday show is two hours long.

On Sunday, Ring Talk is on the TALK AMERICA "2" Network for only one hour. My guests will include HBO's Larry Merchant.

Be advised, there is a difference between TALK 1 and TALK 2 aka "The Deuce." Both have audio sites at www.talkamerica.com


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