This Saturday in a high-level off-TV bout on the Miguel Cotto vs Ricardo Mayorga undercard, Light-Middleweights Edvan Barros and Raul Pinzon will square off in a 6-round affair from Vegas. The Mexican, Jose Pinzon, 18-2-1, 12 KO’s, most recently dropped co-main event headliner Pawel Wolak en-route to a 7th round KO loss. The Brazilian, Barros, 11-10-1, 8 KO’s, has held his own against the likes of tough hombres Jesus Soto Karass, Keith Thurman and Alex “The Brick City Bullet” Perez but is still in search of a breakthrough win to jump start his career. I had a chance to sit down with the underdog Barros’s trainer Danny Hawk to get a closer look at this anticipated brawl.
The charismatic trainer Danny Hawk had worked previously with undefeated Brazilian prospect Michael Oliviera, 13-0, 11 KO’s and has a long standing relationship with his charge from Brazil Barros. Hawk took the very raw Oliviera (3 amateur fights) up the pro ranks in splendid fashion but recently split with the 20-year old Oliviera. Hawk was the mechanic behind Oliviera’s career but as is the case in boxing, the young prospect abandoned his wingman after having moderate pugilistic success. Oliviera will take on a game undefeated countryman Abel Adriel, 9-0-2, 1 KO’s, in his first bout without his co-pilot and the results could be unfavorable for the arrogant kid that Hawk treated like family. With Oliviera out of the picture, the ambitious owner of Normandy Gym on Miami Beach, fully expects to pull off the upset on the Showtime PPV undercard.
The 32-year old Barros and his unassuming record have been brought in to swell the 23-year old prospect Pinzon’s record but the Colombian is a gym rat that is always in top condition. Pinzon is a classic Mexican fighter that is tough is nails so the challenge for Barros is a daunting one but his team feels confident in his chances. Neither one of these fighters are fans of taking a step back so bring your popcorn and watch the show go down.