Former champion Guillermo Rigondeaux was scheduled to take on Liborio Solis in the co-feature of the Harrison-Charlo rematch this Saturday on FOX, but that match has been postponed until a later date. In the new co-feature at the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California, heavyweight Efe Ajagba (11-0, 9 KOs) takes on Iago Kiladze (26-4-1, 18 KOs) in a 10-rounder. Also, the new opening bout on the telecast is 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (9-0, 8 KOs) against Rene Tellez Giron (13-1, 7 KOs) in an eight-round lightweight match.
The originally scheduled FOX opener between middleweights Hugo Centeno, Jr. and Juan Macias Montiel will now headline an FS1 card preceding the FOX telecast. In the co-feature on FS1, undefeated featherweight contender Jhack Tepora (23-0, 17 KOs) will battle former title challenger Oscar Escandon (25-5, 17 KOs) in a 10-round bout. Super welterweight prospect Raymond Guajardo faces Donnis Reed in a four-rounder in the televised opener.
I am really stepping out on a limb here, but kinda hope Harrison wins the rematch. Why? Harrison winning will simply stir up the apple cart and controversy needed to keep the media happy and it will give us key board warriors something to talk about. We don’t want it too boring!
Don’t think he really won the first one, and probably loses more convincingly this time.
I am looking forward to the Ajagba fight. The match up with Kiladze is not great, but ok.
For some reason, Kiladze has been picked by several known heavyweights like Michael Hunter, Joe Joyce, Kownacki. Kiladze has lost every time he stepped up, but he’s still a viable opponent.
Ajagba is in a similar position like Dubois: a win would get him into the top 15 of the division. Ajagba will have height and reach advantage, and he’s already known for his power. His best wins so far were over Mansour and Demirezen – who are both generally considered to be better than Kiladze.
Ajagba by KO within 6 rounds.
Ajagba needs to stay active and it is always great to watch his development from fight to fight. His opponent this time is basically a trial horse, so Ajagba should beat him easily. He throws a lot of punches and has the height, reach, and long arms to be a major factor in the heavyweight division sooner rather than later. He does hit hard, even though he looks like many of his punches are arm punches without full leverage.
He needs to fight a better caliber of opposition in his rise to the top. However, this opponent will give the fans an opportunity to compare Ajagba’s performance against other prospects in the division. I look forward to seeing him again.