Acquinity Sports announces Guzman vs. Pabon

By Phil Doherty

Undefeated former two-division world titlist Joan “Baby Tyson” Guzman (31-0-1, 18 KOs) returns to the public eye March 2nd against hardy southpaw Puerto Rican puncher Jesus Pabon (17-2, 11 KOs). The 35-year old Dominican-born Guzman headlines the ESPN2 Friday Night Fights 10-round main event as part of Acquinity Sport’s second show this season from The Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa in Hollywood FL.

Guzman signed with the South Florida-based Acquinity Sports team last month in a move to kickstart a career once destined for superstardom. “Baby Tyson” blew through the super bantamweight and super lightweight divisions during the mid 2000’s, picking up the WBO world title in both divisions before setting his sights on lightweight.

However, the divisional run proved a bridge too far as his 2008 proposed bid for a unified lightweight title against former champ Nate Campbell deflated when Guzman showed up 3 ½ lbs heavy. His subsequent IBF title campaign against South African Ali Funeka resulted in a 2009 draw and a no-win split decision victory the following year. Because he’d weighed in a whopping 9 lbs overweight, the win didn’t earn him the lightweight belt, despite the ensuing discovery of a banned substance in Funeka’s system.

This is an intriguing crossroads fight for the still immensely-talented Guzman against a durable younger opponent which should give fans a true measure of Guzman’s rededication to the sport.

Hollywood’s own Ed “The Lion” Paredes (29-3-1, 19 KOs) showcases his prodigious skills in the 10-round co-main event against savvy Mexican veteran Cosme Rivera (34-14-3, 24 KOs). Paredes looks to shake off some “weighty” issues of his own as his scheduled headline bout on Acquinity’s debut show in January was downgraded when opponent Michael Lozada showed up 12 lbs too big.

Paredes scored a 3rd-round KO and expects more professionalism at the scales and between the ropes with Rivera.

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February 4th, 2012

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