Top Rank and ESPN hit The Hanger

On March 23, Top Rank Boxing, and ESPN, will hit The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California for a stacked card that sees some interesting match-ups showcasing hot prospects and contenders along with champions looking to work their way back into title fights.
Let’s take a sneak peek at some of the match-ups on the roster.

Kubrat Pulev (26-1, 13 KO’s) vs. Bogdan Dinu (18-1, 14 KO’s), 10 rounds, heavyweights
At 37-years old, Pulev is looking to fight the best he can and work himself into another world title shot. He lost in a world title bid to Vladamir Klitschko in 2014 but comes into his first bout of 2019 having beaten Sam Peter, Maurice Harris, Hughie Fury, Derik Chisora and Kevin Johnson. Dinu comes into the fight off of his only career loss having been stopped by Jarrell Miller last November. Prediction: I like Pulev in this one due to the experience factor against much better competition.

Jessie Magdaleno (25-1, 18 KO’s) vs. Rico Ramos (30-5, 14 KO’s), 10 rounds, featherweights
Former world champs collide! Magdaleno is looking to get back in the win column and get in line for another world title shot. Coming off his first loss, almost a year ago, to former champ Isaac Dogboe, Magdaleno isn’t getting an easy assignment in Ramos. A former WBA super bantamweight champion, Ramos is also looking to use Magdaleno as a springboard into a title fight. Magdaleno is moving up to featherweight, after struggling badly the last couple of years to hit the mark at super bantamweight, so he should come into the fight feeling stronger after not being so drained from a weight cut. Prediction: I think the fight goes the distance as Ramos will be very motivated to make the best of this opportunity but I like Magdaleno in a tough, points win.

Maxim Dadashev (12-0, 10 KO’s) vs. Ricky Sismundo (35-12-3, 17 KO’s), 10 rounds, junior welterweights

“Mad Max” Dadshev is part of manager Igis Klimas’ star-studded stable of champions and contenders and he definitely looks like he’ll be challenging for a world title one day. The Russia-born, Oxnard, California- residing Dadshev comes into the fight off 2 straight wins over former world champions in 2018. Sismundo has 50 fights, and lots of experience, but those are the only areas that he has the edge on the talented Dadashev. However, it won’t be enough for the Philippine’s native who probably won’t hear the final bell against a red-hot banger like Dadashev.

Prediction: Mid-rounds stoppage for “Mad Max”.

Erick De Leon (18-0-1, 10 KO’s) vs. Jose Luis Gallegos (16-5, 12 KO’s), 8 rounds, jr. lightweights
Not a lot was settled in De Leon’s first big test as he drew with fellow unbeaten contender Andy Vences in March of last year in Carson, California. De Leon, Mexico-born and now living in Detroit, Michigan, will look to put a couple of wins together and then step into a big fight later in the year. Gallegos has never been stopped so this may go the distance. Prediction: I like De Leon in a comfortable points win against the rugged veteran Gallegos.