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By: Matthew N. Becher
The 2015 boxing year is headed for a close this Saturday, December 5th at the Barclay’s Center in Brooklyn, New York. Broadcast live on Showtime (with the undercard being televised as well on Showtime Extreme), Premier Boxing Champions will showcase one of its most anticipated matchups in its short history. The main event pits two of Brooklyn’s own, Middleweights Daniel “Miracle Man” Jacobs (30-1 27KO) and Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (32-0-1 23KO). Both of these fighters are top 10 ranked and have been closing in on a showdown for the past couple of years, the winner not only moving up in the division, but gaining bragging rights as “the best fighter in Brooklyn”.
Peter Quillin sports an undefeated record, but is not coming into this fight in the greatest of shape. He has had difficulties making weight in his last two fights, one which ended up being a draw against WBO champion Andy Lee. Quillin who has wins over Winky Wright, Hassan, N’Dam and Gabriel Rosado has really yet to be tested against the elite of the division. In 2014, he vacated his own championship belt when a purse bid was won for him to face Matt Korobov in Brooklyn for a career high payday of 3 million dollars. Quillin decided to vacate the belt, take a year away from the sport to raise his son and is just now trying to get back into title contentions.
Jacobs, the “miracle man” of the sport was diagnosed with a rare form of spinal cancer only a few years ago and was told he may never walk again, and never be able to box. He had a baseball size tumor removed from his spine, and has since proven every doctor wrong, by not only walking, but by winning the WBA “regular” world championship in the process. Jacobs was a very highly touted prospect in 2009, when he beat, now former world champ Ishe smith, and was on a roll towards a world title. He got his first chance in 2010 against the very dangerous Dmitry Pirog. Pirog knocked out Jacobs, capturing the crown and dropping Danny Jacobs back to the beginning of his quick rise. He has since won ten consecutive fights, with notable wins against Caleb Truax and Sergio Mora. He has consistently wanted to fight his friend Quillin to see who the real best fighter in Brooklyn was and launch his career back to world title aspirations.
The co main event is in the featherweight division. Jesus Cuellar (27-1 21KO) is the WBA “Regular” champion. A 28 year old, hard hitting brawler from Argentina who is looking to earn a statement win on a big stage against a similar styled fighter in Jonathan Oquendo (26-4 16KO).
Oquendo is 32 years old, and has fought some of the best fighters around. Juan Manuel Lopez, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr., Abner Mares, to his most recent victory over Jhonny Gonzalez in September. Oquendo is going into this fight to lay claim, his last attempt at the top of the division and a title.
Cuellar is racing towards the same goal. Big fights in the Featherweight division. He is younger but also displays an impressive resume, with wins over Juan Ma Lopez, Vic Darchinyan, Rico Ramos and reeling off 10 consecutive wins since his lone defeat in 2011.
The undercard is a mix and match of former world champions, young prospects and local favorites from around the New York City area.
Former Jr. Middleweight titlist Yuri “The Rabbi” Foreman (32-2 9KO) is coming back from a two year hiatus to fight in an eight rounder against Lenwood Dozier (9-9 4KO).
Big time crowd favorite Heather Hardy (14-0 3KO) will be on display in her fifth appearance at the Barclays Center when she rematches Noemi Bosques (10-3-2 2KO), in a fight that was very close the first time around earlier this year.
Staten Island native, and upcoming prospect, Marcus Browne (16-0 12KO) will put his undefeated record on the line against hard punching Mexican Francisco Sierra (27-9 24KO) in the Light Heavyweight division.
Former WBO Jr. Welterweight champion, returning to his second home Chris Algieri (20-2 8KO) will display his talents against fan friendly Erick Bone (16-2 8KO) in a Welterweight clash that is sure to entertain the crowd.
