Michel Soro vs. John Vera, Jr. - March 24th on Canal+ Sport; under the radar gem

WBA doubleheader in Bouches-du-Rhône, France; with "Abou" Soro & "The Phenom" Vera squaring off for the interim 154lb world title in the co-main event while 22-0 (14) Arsen "Feroz" Goulamirian, a tall & strong body-punching Armenian-Frenchman takes on 24-0 (20) Côte D’Ivoirian-Belgian kayo artist Ryad "La Bête" Merhy for the vacant world cruiser title (last held by Yunier Dorticos, up for grabs since he entered the WBSS tourney).

Soro, long considered by some of us to be among the best p4p operators in the game to not hold a world title belt, came his closest last July when he fought the visiting Brian Castaño for this same interim belt and came up just short with a split decision loss. Five years earlier he lost a controversial unanimous decision to Zaurbek Baysangurov in a suburb of Kiev in his only stab to date at capturing a "real" world title. His extant highest distinctions are the WBA organization's International title (eventually, after stalemating in his first attempt in a draw with Antoine Douglas on ShoBox 2014), as well as the French national and European titles. Abou has fought exclusively in Europe since knocking out Glen Tapia nearly three years ago, for unknown behind-the-scenes reasons failing to capitalize on whatever squandered momentum that may have granted him on this side of the Atlantic.

Vera has been around for six years but is still more question mark than prospect, with some thinking he passes the eye test but questioning his protracted run of sub-par competition vis-à-vis the standard developmental yardstick for this deep into one's career. He is promoted by Roy Jones, Jr. and coached by preeminent Fort Worth trainer Raymond Barrera, Jr., and has even been claimed as the glittering prize of each one's respective stable, although until now that confidence hasn't been supported by an increase in opposition quality (nor would it appear to be rooted in a strong amateur pedigree, as he went just 39-7 in the unpaid ranks). The southpaw is heavy-handed enough and exhibits decent movement but so far seems to be wearing opponents down simply by virtue of his size (quite large for the division) and usual edge in athleticism. This is by far his biggest step up in class to date.

 

A glimpse of all four principals in their last outings...

Goulamirian vs. Hamilton Ventura:

This content is protected

Merhy vs. Nick Kisner:

This content is protected

Soro vs. Ivan Montero:

This content is protected

Vera, Jr. vs. Sunday Ajuwa:

This content is protected

 

This is a solid card, and both co-features ought to be competitive but I predict the Ivory Coast team goes 2-for-2...both most likely via decision. (perhaps as close as split/majority)

 

Yeah, the size is the main worry here. I think we can safely determine by now that Abou has a good enough chin that he won't be outright kayoed (unless he gives a free whack to Vera with that big right hook), but he could be worn down as while I didn't see the Castaño fight I remember Baysangurov's most successful moments came when he crowded & bullied Abou to impose his strength on him.

So, despite my leanings above, it could just as easily be a forgettable 0-2 night for the Ivory Coasters (especially if Merhy, on his end, pulls that cocky hands-down stuff only to have a rude awakening that his chin isn't what he thought it was after tasting a Goul right hand).

 

Wellllp, guess the lines in the sand are drawn. At our viewing party there will be a divider across the coffee table, all the nachos & beer on my side (Team Ivory Coast) will be off-limits to you guys on Team Armenia/Mexico/Puerto Rico/US.

 

Hmm, so then we're both on "Team Based in France"?

T. B. I. F. !!!

Team Based in Texas and Belgium can go SCREW! (sorry Merhy, don't care about you 1/10th as much as Soro) - you losers can have whatever gross health-conscious potato skins with soybean-based cheese alternative my old lady whips up for us.

 

So it turns out Goulamirian vs. Merhy is billed as the main event, set to air live on Canal+ from 8:55pm local time (3:55pm EST)

This content is protected

Soro and Vera, meanwhile, should be in the ring no later than 8pm local time (3pm EST)

This content is protected

 

So what next for Abou? (now the undisputed p4p #1 from Côte d'Ivoire)

 

Interesting...by then Hogan will have presumably defeated Kelly to amass himself a tidy little collection of WBO baubles, so Abou dominating him would inch him closer to a crack at Sadam Ali or Liam Smith. Those are more realistic goals than wresting the WBA from Castaño, agreed.

 

In other news, maybe now RJJ will invest more time and energy into his ACTUAL best prospect (Ray Ximenez) now that Vera has finally been exposed.