Boxing returns to Chicago with a bang this Friday at the UIC Pavilion as Rau’shee Warren, Jordan Shimmell and Thomas Williams Jr. headline a card in which ten of the twelve bouts on tap feature an undefeated fighter looking to maintain an unblemished record. Barring a slight miracle – an evening of zero upsets – someone’s “0” seems bound to go.
Dubbed the “Holiday Boxing Bash” by Warriors Boxing Promotions, the card promises to deliver high-level boxing to fans in attendance given the vast amateur pedigree and professional experience of the fighters.
Here’s how the card stacks up:
Rau’shee Warren (12-0, 3 KO) vs. Javier Gallo (21-10-1, 12 KO)
This ten-round bantamweight scrap pits Warren, a decorated amateur who fought the likes of Guillermo Rigondeaux and Zou Shiming before turning pro, against Gallo, a 31-year-old Mexican fighter looking to put an end to his three-fight losing streak.
Gallo is a durable veteran who has faced some of the best guys the bantamweight and featherweight divisions have to offer. Warren is no stranger to going the distance, so he surely won’t get frustrated by Gallo’s sturdy chin. Look for Warren to use his already-polished boxing skills to outbox a game Gallo en route to a points win.
Prediction: Warren by decision
Jordan Shimmell (17-0, 14 KO) vs. Phil Williams (14-6-2, 13 KO)
Shimmell was originally scheduled to face Anthony Ferrante, but that bout was contingent upon Ferrante’s health following a previously-scheduled bout with fellow cruiserweight Alex Guerrero on Nov. 21. Unfortunately for both Ferrante and Shimmell, Ferrante took quite a bit of punishment that night and his corner ended up waving the towel in the eighth round. Luckily, Shimmell’s team already had a backup plan in place for such an event, so in stepped Williams.
Perhaps it is a blessing in disguise for Shimmell, as Williams’ experience makes him a much better name on a résumé than Ferrante. Williams has been in the ring with several big names, most notably Andrjez Fonfara, Caleb Truax twice, Don George, Antwun Echols, Marcus Oliveira and Derrick Findley. Williams is also no slouch in the power department, having earned thirteen of his fourteen career wins via knockout.
This one could go the full ten rounds, but Shimmell – who stands 6’3” compared to the 5’11” Williams – is simply a big, strong, young lion with excellent size for a cruiserweight. He also has an extensive amateur background that saw him achieve much success in Golden Gloves and barely miss out on making the USA Boxing squad at the 2008 Olympics. Only two of Shimmell’s opponents have gone the distance against him, so while Williams has a decent chance to do it, Shimmell will be out to prove he’s one of the top cruiserweight contenders in the world by taking the result out of the judges’ hands.
Prediction: Shimmell by stoppage
Also on the card:
Thomas Williams Jr. (17-1, 12 KO) vs. Michael Gbenga (20-17, 20 KO)
Robert Easter (11-0, 9 KO) vs. Angel Hernandez (8-3, 4 KO)
Juan Dominguez (16-0, 11 KO) vs. German Meraz (47-32-1, 25 KO)
Patryk Szymanski (11-0, 6 KO) vs. Gundrick King (18-13, 11 KO)
Javontae Starks (10-0, 7 KO) vs. Jonathan Garcia (4-10, 1 KO)
Jamel Herring (9-0, 6 KO) vs. Jose Del Valle (4-9-3, 0 KO)
Ronald Hearns (26-5, 20 KO) vs. Roberto Ventura (13-10, 13 KO)
Sergiy Derevyanchenko (2-0, 1 KO) vs. Raul Munoz (23-16-1, 16 KO)
Eddie Ramirez (6-0, 4 KO) vs. Dedrick Bell (12-21-1, 7 KO)
Jose Felix Quezada (4-0, 3 KO) vs. Marlon Lewis (6-5-2, 3 KO)
Visit www.warriorsboxing.com for ticket information.
Follow Kevin on Twitter: @KJboxing
