THE UNDERCARD

There are intriguing bouts supporting the Andrade vs Williams fight

HEADING the support is promising supermiddleweight contender CARLOS GONGORA, 19-0 (14), looking for a statement performance against Trotwood, Ohio southpaw CHRISTOPHER PEARSON. We realise we probably don’t need to tell you,

Boxing News reader, but don’t be fooled by the ‘world title’ billing of this one.

Gongora’s lightly-regarded IBO title will almost certainly be dispensed once a better offer comes along but this contest is worthwhile in testing the potential of the 31-year-old Ecuadorian, also a leftie. The two-time Olympian (2008 and 2012) has made slow progress since turning over in 2015 but showed in his most recent outing – a 12th and final round KO of Ali Akhmedov five months ago – his significant power is not just restricted to the early rounds.

Pearson, now guided by the increasingly influential David Mcwater, has been out of the ring since May 2019 when he scored a career-best win over Yamaguchi Falcao (pts 10) in an upset. His form before that was mixed at best and Gongora, though crude at times, should have too much for the American and win inside the scheduled 12.

Russian-born Azerbaijan MAHAMMADRASUL MAJIDOV is still best known for beating Anthony Joshua in 2011 in the final of the super-heavyweight World amateur championships. Now 34, he doesn’t have time to waste and at just 3-0 (3) he’s thrown in with 31-3 (24) ANDREY FEDOSOV in an interesting 12-rounder.

The 35-year-old Russian’s professional experience dwarfs his opponent’s. He has beaten Lenroy Thomas and Joey Dawejko though losses to Bryant Jennings (2013) and an ageing Lance Whitaker (2010) are perhaps a better indication of his level. The fact he’s been inactive since 2018 is the biggest worry and it’s unlikely he’ll be in true fighting shape. Though there’s a chance that he could weather an early storm to come on strong down the stretch the feeling is Majidov [below] will do what’s required and triumph before halfway. Whether it’s pretty or truly impressive is another matter entirely.