Around the Net: Shane Mosley vs Sergio Mora Undercard Edition

As with all pay-per-views, it's nice when the feature event is backed up by a promising undercard line-up.  Do we have that tonight?

It's far from a great trio of supporting bouts, but it's not that bad - at least relative to the kind of undercards we've come to expect from pay-per-view shows lately.  It's just not good enough to make up for a main-event that doesn't quite have the sizzle to merit the $44.95 price tag.

Antonio Escalante vs Daniel Ponce de Leon?  Hard to see that one not turning out well.  Escalante always means business and Ponce can really crack.  No complaints there.

Saul Alvarez vs Carlos Baldomir?  Alvarez is a 10-1 favorite for good reason and the youngster shouldn't have too many problem with the aging Baldomir's slow moving come forward style.  This bout could provide us with some good exchanges, but it's an FNF quality fight at best and shouldn't be one of the key attractions to an expensive show.

Victor Ortiz vs Vivian Harris?  This one really does not look good.  When was the last time Harris looked like a viable contender at 140lbs?  Should he even be fighting anymore?  Want to bet on Ortiz...you'll need to lay 20 to win 1.  That's really all the info you need to confirm that Harris is considered a very safe step towards rebuilding Victor's confidence.

Still debating whether to purchase tonight's show or not?  Let's take a look at some of the pre-fight buzz from around the net for some more input...

Bad Left Hook Fight Preview: Daniel Ponce de Leon v. Antonio Escalante

I don't see this one going the distance, or maybe it's just that I hope it doesn't. Ponce de Leon is hanging on to relevance by a few threads at this point, especially in a highly competitive division where being just outside the best fighters is probably his ceiling. Escalante is good, and he's exciting, but is he special? He'll need to be the best he's been to date to get a win here if Ponce if focused and in shape. If this fight turns into even a semi-stinker, that will likely be because Ponce de Leon is finding it easy to box the younger man. If it goes to war, anything can happen. I'm hoping for the latter, and if that pans out, I think I like Ponce de Leon's power to show up again and thwart Escalante's rise in the division. Ponce de Leon TKO-10

Bad Left Hook Fight Preview: Saul Alvarez v. Carlos Baldomir

Carlos Baldomir has not been stopped in 16 years. I think that run ends on Saturday. Alvarez is too ferocious, too aggressive, and too strong for the 39-year-old Baldomir. Baldomir doesn't have the power to keep Alvarez off of him long enough over 12 rounds. Carlos may not ever hit the canvas, but I don't think he goes all 36 minutes. It could well be his final fight, and you can do worse in boxing than going out with a fine payday. Alvarez TKO-10

Bad Left Hook Fight Preview: Victor Ortiz v. Vivian Harris

It's pretty tempting to figure Ortiz will grind out another 10-round decision, but I think there's a good chance for a late stoppage. If he can build up a big lead and maybe discourage Harris, he might be able to turn it up late and go for the gusto. He also could bowl over Harris early if he comes out like the old Victor Ortiz, but I'm guessing that Victor Ortiz is half-buried by his trainers, and rightly so, really. I'm going with the distance win, and it could be a shutout. I'd give Harris maybe a 15% shot at winning this fight. Ortiz UD-10

The Queensbury Rules - Previews And Predictions For Shane Mosley Vs. Sergio Mora And Daniel Ponce De Leon Vs. Antonio Escalante

De Leon is more experienced, might hit harder even at 126 and maybe is the better technician (when has anyone ever said that about De Leon?). But Escalante is five years younger at 25, is unrelenting and has all the career momentum. I can't find any lines on the fight, so we'll assume unless one emerges that Ring's more highly-ranked De Leon is the "favorite" in this bout. Either way, I'm going with Escalante by unanimous decision in a pretty competitive, pretty good but not great fight.

Boxing Scene - Antonio Escalante: 'This Is My Ticket Into The Big Leagues'

"It took a while to for this fight to happen before it was finally offerd," Escalante states, recalling two-year old plans to fight Ponce de Leon when he was still a titlist. "There were already plans to fight, but he lost to JuanMa, and those plans went into the trash can."

In waiting two years for this fight, he received the opportunity days after his most recent affair, a three-round thrashing of Edel Ruiz last month on Telefutura. It was a rare fight in which he escape completely unscathed – so fresh that he barely broke stride in his training.

"The funny thing about receiving this opportunity was that I fought Ruiz on a Friday, and was already running the next morning without even knowing what was coming up next.

"A few days later, the fight was offered. After that, it was hard training. I felt good, and didn’t hurt myself (against Ruiz) so it was no problem to go right back into the gym. In fact, it’s a better opportunity now because I feel more complete."

ESPN - Alvarez out to conquer the states

With Alvarez's unusual look -- red hair and freckles that make him look more like Howdy Doody than a prizefighter -- combined with his crowd-pleasing style, it's not a surprise he has captured the imagination of Mexico's boxing-loving fans.

Then there's his personal life, which has become fodder for celebrity watchers. He dates Marisol Gonzalez, a Televisa Deportes reporter, actress and Mexico's 2003 representative in the Miss Universe pageant.

"When I tell you he has a rock star-like following, he really does," said De La Hoya, who knows a thing or two about that, given his own fame. "He is the one fighter now in Mexico who generates the biggest ratings on television from any athlete in any sport. He has a tremendous punch, tremendous speed, great footwork."

Boxing Scene - Saul Alvarez Shows Class, Lets Baldomir Keep $12,000

Alvarez stood to pocket $12,000, or 20 percent of Argentina veteran Carlos "Tata" Baldomir's purse from their fight taking place Saturday night in Los Angeles.

The veteran from Santa Fe, Argentina, weighed in at 153.4 pounds, well over their "catch-weight" limit with something called the WBC Silver junior middleweight title at stake. Alvarez was on weight at 150.5 pounds.

California rules required the assessment of Baldy's $60,000 dollar purse because he did not make the contracted weight.

Easiest 12 G's the young Mexican fighter ever made, right?

Wrong, as the red-haired Alvarez refused the money.

Boxing Scene - Vivian Harris Plans To Be "Vicious" With Victor Ortiz

The Brooklyn-bred contender from Guyana dismissed Victor Ortiz as an ill-prepared opponent while promoting their 10-round, 140-pound fight tonight in Los Angeles.

"I don’t think there is anyone going to stop me, especially Victor Ortiz," Harris, 32, said. "You know what I mean? He’s a great young fighter coming up, but I think that he has a lot of doubts when it comes to himself. I don’t really think that he’s confident when it comes to beating people, getting there, to be where he’s supposed to be.

"He has a lot of talent, don’t get me wrong. But you have to believe in yourself and I definitely don’t think he does. [Tonight] I’m definitely going to push him to that limit because I’m coming to win, like I always do."

FIGHTHYPE \\ FIGHTHYPE BREAKDOWN: MOSLEY VS. MORA

Vivian Harris should not be fighting anymore. His chin is as shot as his legs, and he just does not take punches well at all. Victor Ortiz is regaining confidence, learning to be a little more economical and boxing more, but I don't expect that to be necessary here. After making sure that the right hand isn't going to find a home and catch him cold, Vicious Victor will begin putting combos together and hurting Vicious Vivian. In the battle of the Vicious V's, give me the younger, fresher, better, faster, not shot version. Victor Ortiz by early to middle round stoppage; let's say the 4th or 5th.