2011’s Opening Act
By William Trillo
I made a journey to Las Vegas this weekend and although the ESPN2 show wasn’t on the “big stage” it was a great opening act. One can only hope that boxing will use the Herrera vs. Provodnikov fight as a springboard to a sensational year. Unlike last year that was seemingly snake bit from the beginning, 2011 has started off with a real bang thanks to the ESPN2 telecast.
I’d be lying to you if I told you I thought either Herrera had a chance on Friday night. The younger brother Alberto was taking on up and coming and highly touted Demetruis Andrade in the Semi-Main and Mauricio was taking on the rugged and undefeated Russian Ruslan Provodnikov, a fighter who has never been embarrassed to go to war. Having seen Herrera fight numerous times I knew the young man was a tough customer on his own, but I thought he would be in for a long night and would come up on the short end of a tough fight.
I was half right. Herrera did experience a long night but he was tough enough and smart enough to come out not only with a unanimous decision victory but he also grabbed the vacant IBF North American Jr. Welterweight strap. More importantly, it was an impressive win in front of a live ESPN audience; we will most certainly be seeing a lot more of him.
His brother did not fair as well but he gave a good account of himself against the highly regarded Andrade. He has nothing to be ashamed of.
Let’s hope the show will be a sign of things to come for the 2011 boxing ledger. With fights like Donaire vs. Montiel, Mares vs. Agbeko and the return of a rejuvenated Chris Arreola we could be in store for a stellar year.
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