Lorenzo Steps in to face Morales!

By E.A. Sirota

Irvington's Francisco Lorenzo will face former five-time world champion Erik Morales in the Mexican legend's birthplace of Tijuana this Saturday. Lorenzo (35-8, 16 KO) replaces Jorge Barrios, who's travel permit was suspended because of a pending court case over a car accident in his native Argentina.

Lorenzo will be hoping to replicate the outcome of his 2005 match against Nate Campbell. On less than two weeks notice, Lorenzo beat Campbell in Saint Petersburg, Florida by a ten round split decision.

Lorenzo's manager, Jose Rosario, likes his fighters chances even though he took the fight on short notice and its taking place in Morales' hometown. “He stays in shape and always comes to fight” Rosario said. “He gave Jorge Linares a tough time in Venezuela. He proved a lot in that fight.” Even though Lorenzo ended up on the wrong side of a majority decision to Linares, it was his best showing since scoring a twelve round unanimous decision over Cristobal Cruz in 2007.

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Wolak Fills In For Gomez to Battle Chavez December 4!

Top-10 contender Pawel “Raging Bull” Wolak will be In Harm’s Way on Saturday, December 4, when he challenges undefeated WBC Silver middleweight champion Julio César Chávez, Jr. in a 12-round title fight. Wolak replaces the injured Alfonso Gomez, Chávez’s original opponent, who withdrew today after an MRI detected a ligament tear in his left elbow.

Wolak (27-1, 17 KOs), from Mount Arlington, enters this fight riding a two-year, six-bout winning streak, with three of those victories coming by knockout. The combined record of the last three opponents he defeated — James Moore, Ishmail Arvin and Carlos Nascimento – had a combined record of 56-4-4 when he fought them, which translates into an impressive 88% winning percentage. His last fight, a 10-round unanimous decision victory over Moore (17-2), was fought on the historic Yuri Foreman-Miguel Cotto undercard at Yankee Stadium on June 5. He is currently world-rated No. 7 by the WBA.

"Everything worked out well", said Wolak, who almost fought Chavez previously before the bout fell apart. "I had another fight December 16 so I will be in good enough shape to fight him. We are just finalizing some things (in training) and I don't have to lose any (extra weight)."

A former New York State middleweight champion, Wolak, 29, is known as aggressive, high-pressure style fighter who always makes for exciting fights. Trained by Aroz Gist, Wolak, an East Coast fixture, will be making his West Coast debut when he rumbles with Chávez Jr.

"He is tough but hopefully my pressure will overwhelm him." "I plan to dig deep every round and hopefully I will come out on top. I must thank my promoter Top Rank for this great opportunity and I will be ready."

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