Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California, United States
Mauricio Herrera 17(7)-1(0)-0
vs.
Mike Dallas Jr 17(7)-1(1)-1
IBF NORTH AMERICAN LIGHT WELTERWEIGHT CHAMIONSHIP
By: Ricky Ray Taylor

As we rumble upon the half-way mark of 2011 we’re faced with a crossroads fight (of sorts) amidst two warriors with nearly identical records. Friday, June 23rd in Temecula, California – MAURICIO HERRERA, (17-1) will be making the second defense of his IBF North American Light-Welterweight Title when he faces MIKE DALLAS, JR, (17-1-1).

Herrera won the vacant North American Light-welterweight Title earlier this year by upsetting Russian hopeful Ruslan Provodnikov in what automatically became a clear fight-of-the-year candidate.

Herrera’s opponent on the 23rd is MIKE DALLAS, JR, (17-1-1). Dallas is a fighter who wants more than anything to avenge his last fight – a KO loss at the hands of 29-3 JOSESITO LOPEZ – and re-emerge as one of America’s brightest young stars.

Although the HERRERA/PROVODNIKOV brawl and the DALLAS/LOPEZ matchup were only 2 weeks apart last January,
the turning points in each mans career could not have been more drastic.

In the days leading up to Herrera’s fight with Provodnikov, most gamblers considered the Russians bull-forward, aggressive style as the odds-on favorite to capture the vacant IBF title. Yet, as the fight progressed, Herrera made it clear that he wasn’t laying down for anybody – regardless of the strength factor resting solidly in his Russian counterparts favor. The back and forth bomb-fest ended up becoming an “upset of the year” candidate when Herrera walked away with a Unanimous Decision victory.

For winning the title over the heavy handed Russian in such brutal fashion, Herrera was hailed as a true Champion in the eyes of the Boxing community and basically anyone else watching the fight.

Three weeks after Herrera captured the IBF version of the Light-welterweight Title however, Mike Dallas Jr hit a brick wall in his bid for the NABF version of the Light-welterweight crown.

Dallas was the favorite heading into the fight last January. His opponent was Josesito Lopez (28-3).
Yet – it may have done his handlers well to do a bit more homework on their counterparts ferocity before recording Dallas’ name on the bout-sheet that night. Lopez bullied and man-handled Dallas throughout the bout until finally selling a JAB that turned into a HOOK at the final mili-second. That punch clocked Dallas on the chin and ended the night for him in a very humbling way.

The evening would not have crashed down so hard and heavy on Dallas and his team had he not invested the precious moments before his knockout turning his back and cowering away from Lopez.
Yet, that’s just what he did – and now redemption looms.

Wiithin the BOXING COMMUNITY it is said that “when you fall – they KICK you”.
-Mike Dallas, Jr has been kicked all year long since his loss to Lopez.

Hey, let’s face it – both guys are still young and for the most part -unheard of- outside of the Boxing community.
Yet, if these two want to cement their names within the world of BOXING at any level – each fighter needs to LOOK like a Champion NOW.
-RICKY RAY TAYLOR-