By: Brad Marchetti for Doghouse Boxing
A good little 10-round Jr. Middleweight scrap will be taking place between Joel Julio vs Jose Varela on ESPN2 Wednesday night fights at 9 PM ET from the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, FL. The powerpunching Colombian Julio, 33-1, 30 KO’s is a top-10 welterweight contender with a nice blend of youth, size, power and boxing ability. The young 23-year old Julio will be facing a grizzled vet in the lanky 6’1″ Varela who also has heavy hands. Varela, 23-3, 16 KO’s, is a sharp-shooting puncher with a good chin, strong right cross and stamina.
I most recently was ringside for Varela’s decision loss to contender Richard Gutierrez in a fight that he was beat to the punch all night by the banger. The 5’10” Julio has even faster hands than Gutierrez, and it will be up to the slower handed Varela to time Julio to be effective. Julio has an above-average defense and a decent chin, but Varela has enough power to drop the kid if he gets careless. The Joel Julio vs Jose Varela boxing betting odds have Joel Julio as a -800 favorite.
On the undercard Jamaica Queens, NY Jr. Middleweight Joe Greene, 19-0, 14 KO’s will take on Jose Miguel Torres, 20-3, 18 KO’s in a 10-round bout. The 29-year old Torres will be making a huge leap up in competition after fighting his career entirely in South America. Torres has a reputation as a boxer\puncher with some decent skills and he has been 11 rounds before. Against Greene we will find out if Torres’s high 78% KO rate is legit or not when he faces a strong fighter. The 22-year old Greene is a muscle boud 5’8″ southpaw with some dynamite. Greene is an aggressive fighter that has also been matched fairly soft and is regarded as a B- level fighter with upside. This intriguing 154 Lb. bout should be a measuring stick for both fighters skill levels. The Joe Green vs Jose Miguel Torres fight is expected to have Joe Greene favored at -1500 odds.
Keep an eye on Milton LaCroix trained featherweight Kaito Ferguson, cousin of MMA fighter Kimbo Slice. Legendary trainer Milton LaCroix is one of the best at developing slick boxers, and now he has an athlete tough as nails to work with. Kaito Ferguson has the razzle dazzle in his feet that could probably put any fighter too sleep, and when his hands catch up to his feet fans will be in for a real treat.
Joel Julio vs Jose Varela ESPN2 Wednesday Night Fights Boxing Betting Odds: Joel Julio 7-1 favorite
Joe Greene vs Jose Miguel Torres Boxing Betting Odds: Joe Green 10-1
favorite
Kaito Ferguson tale-of-the-tape
From: Bahamas
Resides: Hollywood,FL
Trainer: Milton LaCroix
Style: Slick Puncher
Ht. 5’6″
Wt. 128.75 Lbs.
Reach: 70″
Age: 26
Record: 1-1 (1).