In its young existence Golden Boy Promotions has already managed a couple of pay per view telecasts along with other cards of note. In the month of May, GBP will hold their two biggest cards of the year. Of course the first is May 6th, featuring the Golden Boy himself, Oscar de la Hoya against the always-exciting Ricardo Mayorga. Then on May 20th from the Staples Center, GBP comes back with a big HBO card featuring Marco Antonio Barrera against Rocky Juarez. To top it off, GBP comes back with another card the next week in Carson, California featuring a very good bantamweight main event between Fernando Montiel and Jhonny Gonzalez. However, May 6th's "Danger Zone" card has the makings of being GBP’s best ever from top to bottom.
 
     The main event doesn't need an introduction, as it features one of the sport's most popular stars against one of the sport's most exciting fighters. Everyone will be curious to see the return of Oscar de la Hoya, who hasn't fought in over a year, since he lost to Bernard Hopkins. How will he look, how rusty will he be, and can he put up with Mayorga's pressure will all be questions that Oscar will need to answer. There is no extra intrigue needed for the main event, but the undercard is a very worthy one also.
 
     In the top undercard bout, former 154-pound champions will square off when Kassim Ouma takes on Marco Antonio Rubio. Ouma has one glaring loss on his ledger; the title losing performance against Roman Karmazin. Rubio likewise has one glaring loss and that was his 1st round KO loss to Kofi Jantuah. Both men are still two of the top fighters in the division, and a win could line them up for a crack at another title. Ouma's relentless style against the power of Rubio could make for a very exciting fight.
 
     Another great fight on this undercard is the featherweight scrap between former IBF world champion Javier Jauregui and major prospect Joan Guzman.  Jauregui will probably be remembered as the man who has defeated Jose Luis Castillo twice. He has fought everybody, and has never been in a dull fight. Factor this with the hard punching Guzman, who's looking to go to 25-0, and you have the makings for another good fight.
 
     If you need some further intrigue to want to watch this card how about forgotten "Contender" Ishe Smith in a return bout. Unlike nearly everyone else from the show, Smith chose not to fight in any of the Contender specials. Smith now trains in Las Vegas and will be fighting for the first time since the show when he faces 16-3 Alexis Divison of Miami. Some more prospects on the card include Jorge Paez Jr., and GBP East product Rock Allen, a former 2004 U.S. Olympian. 
 
     Young Golden Boy Promotions continue to grow and delve into the pay per view market. May 6th's "Danger Zone" card might be their greatest venture yet.  With the Golden Boy himself leading the way along with a solid undercard, this event taking place from the MGM Grand Garden arena should be golden.  

Comments can be emailed to Tom Dickey

4-15-2006

 

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