Jose Benavidez Jr. vs Mauricio Herrera - Crazy Matchmaking? - Who Wins?

Of all the fights scheduled this weekend on the two Las Vegas cards, the fight between Jose Benavidez Jr. and Mauricio Herrera is the one i'm most looking forward to for all kinds of reasons, not least the fact that it's either suicidal matchmaking from Toprank or a stroke of genius from them.

The 22 year old Benavidez is considered one of Boxings hottest prospects and even a future superstar in the making. Before this fight though, his opposition so far has been very low level journeymen.

Mauricio Herrera has fought at the very highest level having faced Top 10 opposition like Provodnikov, Mike Alvarado, Karim Mayfield and Johan Perez. His career best performance was his highly controversial points loss to the 140 Champ Danny Garcia, some would even call Herrera the Uncrowned 140 Champion.

We have to wonder what Toprank were thinking by putting the very raw and untested Benavidez, ranked 125 by Boxrec, in against a Top 5 140lb guy like Herrera...it simply doesn't make any sense.

This is what makes this match-up such an intriguing and must see fight. We'll either see a young boxer make a Huge statement in victory or pick up a potentially career damaging defeat.

Your thoughts, Who Wins?

 

I agree that Boxing needs more match-ups like this, putting young hungry fighters in against tough opposition and seeing if they have what it takes or not. Sadam Ali had the same tough test against Abregu recently and came through with flying colours.

Although on paper it looks like Herrera should win this fight, i also think Toprank must have been very confident in Benavidez winning to have made this fight even if it's a huge jump in the opposition he's face so far in his career.

 

It's a good style match up so should make for an entertaining fight. Would probably be better for boxing if Benavidez Jr won as he could well become a huge star the next few years.

 

Have you done Benavidez Jr yet as part of your boxing profiles?