Popular junior middleweight Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak of Wallington will look to move further up the ranks when he takes Baltimorean Ishmail “The Arsenal” Arvin January 23 at Madison Square Garden. Known for his all-action style, Wolak, 25-1 (17 KO’s), demolished former title challenger Carlos Nascimento last time out, and is fighting at MSG for the third time in four fights.
Arvin, 15-1-4 (7 KO’s), has been out of the ring since August 2008 when he controversially defeated once promising prospect Anthony Thompson. Arvin was decked twice and thoroughly dominated, but an accidental headbutt incorrectly ruled a punch busted up Thompson and shockingly gave Arvin a TKO victory. Arvin has only two other fights since 2007 – both ending in a draw – but will not be taken lightly.
“Arvin is no walk over”, said Wolak’s Assistant Trainer Aroz “Terrific” Gist. “He is going to be the toughest guy Pawel fought (outside of) Ishe Smith.”
Even though Wolak hasn’t necessarily altered his style since his lone defeat against Smith, Gist is far from concerned.
“Pawel’s defense has got a lot better we have worked a ton on moving his head and he hasn’t cut during his last three fights”. “Pawel goes only in one direction and he is going to be ready since there is no easy sparring in my gym”!
According to Gist, Wolak’s training partners include former world champion Kendall Holt, rising contender Henry Crawford, hot prospect Jeremy Bryan and gritty veteran Ossie Duran.
Wolak-Arvin is part of the untelevised portion of the HBO double header featuring Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa in separate bouts.
Harris looking to get back on track vs unbeaten Matthysse January 30
The last two plus years simply haven’t gone Vivian Harris’ way.
The Guyanese native was on the wrong end of a 2007 knockout against Junior Witter, a bout where he had difficulty adjusting to his unconventional opponent’s style from the get go.
The former WBA Junior Welterweight champion’s return bout came 13 months later just minutes from his Carlstadt residence and was expected to be a tune up. Harris’ supposed tune up fight turned out to be a dog fight, as he was decked twice and almost stopped the opening round against 7-4-1 Octavio Narvaez before scoring a TKO in the sixth. Even with the victory against Narvaez, it was widely believed that the man once considered gem of the 140 lb division was all but finished.
Harris’ most recent fight vs Noe Bolanos last August on ESPN ended in a scary no contest. Harris got off to a slow start and was looking to outbox the durable Bolanos, but was victimized by a vicious clash of heads. The ill-effects of the hard headbutt caused him to collapse and he was rushed out of the ring on a stretcher.
Harris was assumed by many to be done for good after the frightening fight with Bolanos not helping his already slumping stock. But like most former champions, he was not so quick to hang em’ up.
Harris, 29-3-2 (19 KO’s), returns to the ring January 30 to face 25-0 Lucas Matthysse on the off-TV undercard of the Andre Berto-Shane Mosley welterweight title unification in Las Vegas. Matthyse, the brother of fringe contender Walter, has an impressive 23 knockouts, but has manufactured it against inferior opposition.
“Matthysse is a puncher, so is Vivian, but (the difference is) Vivian has skills”, said Gist, who also serves as Harris’ assistant trainer. “Vivian fought all the top guys and this is a big step up for Matthysse. Vivian has looked very in the gym and he is out there to prove that at 31 years old, he is still a threat in the division.”
Harris meets Matthyse at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino over ten rounds. The bout will not be televised.
Zambrano and Zegarra return home February 25
Featherweight Carlos “Mina” Zambrano and junior welterweight Juan “JZ” Zegarra of North Bergen are set to fight in their native Peru February 25.
Zambrano, 9-0 (3 KO’s), will fight an opponent to be announced in an eight rounder, while Zegarra risks his perfect 4-0 record against TBA over six rounds. According to manager Nelson Fernandez, their opponents are likely to come from Colombia.
Zambrano and Zegarra, two of the most storied amateurs in their nation’s history, will fight at Coliseo Nino Heroe Manuel Bonilla in Lima. Fernandez said a sell out crowd is expected.
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