[Previous entry: "The Weights are In for Friday's 'Chicago Superstars' Bouts at Aragon!"] [Main Index] [Next entry: "Eddie Mustapha Muhammad: I've got Pedro's Back!"]
08/25/2006 Archived Entry: "Contenders Mora & Gomez on ESPN2 Facing Tough Opponents Regan & Carson!"
Contenders Mora & Gomez on ESPN2 Facing Tough Opponents Regan & Carson!
By Laz Izada
Boxing returns to Arco Arena in Sacramento, California this Friday night as ESPN and Don Chargin Promotions present ESPN’S “ The Contender” on going live boxing series. The main event will feature a 10 round middleweight clash between 25 year old Sergio “ The Latin Snake” Mora, 16-0 ( 3 KO’S), from East L.A. versus Sacramento’s 30 year old Eric “ The Hit Man” Regan, 26-2 (17 KO’S).
Both fighters will be looking for bigger and brighter days with a victory. Mora, the favorite who has been calling out WBC and WBO middleweight champ Jermaine Taylor as of late wants Taylor badly (he lost to Taylor as an amateur in the final Olympic trials of 2000). Regan, a former kick boxer which stands at a towering 6’4”, is looking to upset the popular Mora and gain his own fame and fortune.
Mora “The Latin Snake” has been on an impressive run, defeating the following in the contender series: Najai Turpin,11-2(8KO‘S); Ishe Smith, 17-1(7KO‘S); Jesse Brinkley, 26-4(17KO‘S); and Peter Manfredo Jr., 25-3(11KO‘S) for the contender’s million dollar title. He then defeated Manfredo again. In his most recent fight, he won by TKO in the seventh round over Archak Termeliksetyian, 15-4(12KO‘S), after being knocked down for the first time in the second round. He showed much heart and determination by pulling out that victory after being knocked down.
Many in the fight game believe that Mora which is ranked at middleweight WBC #9, IBF#13, and WBO #8 is not ready for Jermaine Taylor yet. He needs to gain more experience and victories over tough opposition to get his shot with Taylor. To his credit this fight with Regan is another step in the right direction towards his goal of fighting Taylor. If he wins...
Regan is no slouch. Let me remind you that he has a record of 26-2 (17KO’S). He’s 6’4” and experienced at 30 years old and will be fighting in his hometown. Mora was concerned about Regan’s height and found 6’4” Kingsley Ikeke, 23-2(13KO’S) as his sparring partner in preparation for Regan. Regan’s two losses have been mental lapses that he has had against journeyman Darmel Castillo 10-10-2 (6KO’S)and Pedro Ortega 31-14-1(20KO‘S). In January of 2005 he easily defeated veteran Yory Boy Campas, 88-8(72KO’S) by unanimous decision. His last two fights against Elco Garcia, 18-5(8KO’S) and Miguel Martin, 18-3-1 (9KO’S) he has won by hard hitting TKO’S. Look for Regan to give Mora a tough challenge and a possible upset because he is fighting at home.
In the Co- Main Event that will be televised former “Contenders” series underdog 25 year old Alfonso Gomez, 14-3-2 (5 KO’S) from Guadalajara, Mexico will be facing young 20 year old up and coming star “Kid” Carson Jones, 12-2-1 (7KO’S) from Oklahoma City,OK. Gomez weighed in at 151 pounds while Carson weighted in at 150 pounds.
Gomez best known for defeating Peter Manfredo, Jr. 25-3 (11KO’S), on the first fight of the first contender series then losing to him later on, ended up winning the Bronze medal on the show. After losing to Manfredo he has defeated Jesse Brinkley, 26-4(17 KO’S), by unanimous decision and then had a 4th round TKO over common opponent Luciano Perez, 13 -4-1(12KO‘S). In his latest bout on May 4th,2006 against Jesse Feliciano,14-5-3(8KO’S), he had a draw.
The question about Gomez is he a real contender? He will have a chance to prove himself on Friday night.
His young tough opponent “ Kid Carson Jones” claims that he “will show the difference between contender and pretender”. He believes that this will not be his toughest fight in contrary he told me it will be Gomez’s toughest fight. Jones and his new promoter/manager Stacy Goodson of heavyweight slugout fame believe they stand a good chance in defeating Gomez because Jones is now trained by Allan Green’s father and he has been sparring with Allan Green 21-0(15KO’S) on and off for the past 2 months. Jones has won his last four fights since being TKO’D in the 6th round by common opponent Luciano Perez, a fight that he took on short notice and was winning the early rounds.
Tune in tonight at 9pm on ESPN 2 to catch these two exciting matchups where anything is possible.
