The Horseshoe Casino in Tunica, Mississippi hosts the Premier Boxing Champions on FOX Sports 1 this Thursday night, February 2nd. The featured bouts put a firm spotlight on the welterweight division. The main event sees a clash of fighters that both are in need of a win. Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas (17-3) is facing Levan Ghvamichava (17-2-1), and the fight is a critical one for Ugas, who has gone 2-0 so far in a comeback that came after a long layoff of over two years. Ugas defeated Jamal James and Bryant Perrella, two fighters that were undefeated prospects that headed into their bouts with Ugas as favorites. Ugas proved that he was serious in his comeback in 2016, winning “Comeback Fighter of the Year” according to many. As for Ghvamichava, he went 1-1 in 2016, taking a March loss to Sergey Lipinets before righting the ship with a seventh-round stoppage of Breidis Prescott. Neither man can afford the momentum-killing effect of another loss, especially since both have been fortunate enough to be fighting on PBC shows. Welterweight – 10 rounds Levan Ghvamichava +325 Yordenis Ugas -400 Another pair of fighters looking to mount comebacks are welterweights Sammy Vasquez and Luis Collazo (36-7), who is a former world champion, but that title reign came about 10 years ago. He took all of 2016 off, and the last time we saw him was in July of 2015 when he was stopped by Keith Thurman after seven rounds in a bout for the WBA world title. Collazo may be motivated for one big run, as his resume includes fights with big names throughout his career, including Ricky Hatton, Amir Khan, Shane Mosley and Andre Berto, but it is clear his better days are behind him. Meanwhile, “The Who Can Mexican” Vasquez (21-1) has a lot to prove. He carried the label of hot prospect leading into his July of 2016 fight with Felix Diaz but lost a close decision after 10 rounds to experience the first setback of his career. For Vasquez, he needs to get his comeback off on the right foot with a win here, but he is facing a savvy veteran who still has delusions of one last run at the big time. Welterweight – 10 rounds Luis Collazo +290 Sammy Vasquez -350 The card also features Ryan Karl (13-0) vs Eddie Ramirez (15-0) in a third welterweight bout set for 10 rounds that could appear at the sports books later this week.
Thursday’s Premier Boxing Champions Betting Odds on FOX Sports 1
