TWO FORMER PACQUIAO SPARRING PARTNERS IN BIG FIGHTS
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 19 Oct 2013
Tapia.
Two former sparring partners of ?Fighter of the Decade? Manny Pacquiao are featured in big fights in November and December following the WBO light welterweight title shot of former Russian sparring partner Ruslan Provodnikov who faces WBO light welterweight champion Mike ?Mile High? Alvarado in Denver, Colorado on Sunday, Manila Time.
Undefeated 25 year old Shawn ?Showtime? Porter who has a record of 22-0-1 with 14 knockouts, battles 26 year old IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander ?The Great? who has only one setback for a record of 25-1 with 14 knockouts at the Freeman Coliseum in San Antonio, Texas on November 30.
Meantime unbeaten Glen ?Jersey Boy? Tapia takes on James Kirkland in Atlantic City on December 7.
Boxingscene.com reported that the 23 year old Tapia who has a record of 20-0 with 12 knockouts believes that the fight against Kirkland is a step up in his career and he expects Kirkland to be as aggressive as always despite an eighteen month layoff.
Porter is coming off a ten round unanimous decision over former champion Julio Diaz in a rematch last September 12 after they fought to a split draw also over ten rounds on December 15, 2012.
Alexander who dropped a somewhat controversial tenth round technical decision to Timothy ?Desert Storm? Bradley in a WBC/WBO light welterweight title fight on January 29, 2011 won his last fight when Lee Purdy?s corner stopped the fight after the 7th round last May 18.
The 23-year-old Tapia said that he is very pleased to be taking the next progression in his career. Even with an 18 month layoff, Tapia expects Kirkland to be as aggressive as he always has been throughout his career.
Tapia told boxingscene.com he is excited and "There's nothing else to say. I can't wait to get in the ring. I will see in the first round (how aggressive he is). He comes out to fight and I love that. I come to fight too. I've never seen him in a fight where he doesn't come out to fight. I'll be ready. I can't give my plan away. I do my talking with these (fists)."
Tapia?s biggest win was against previously undefeated Abraham Han who retired in the 8th round after he was cut on the left side of his head in round four and was dropped in round seven.
In his last fight Tapia scored a 5th round TKO over Elco Garcia last September 26.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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