Celestino Caballero Vows To Win In Japan

by Waldo Rastel on Dec 30, 2011 2:15 AM EST in Boxing News Analysis

If Celestino Caballero can win in Japan he could finally put his loss to Jason Liztau behind him. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

On New Year's Eve Day, Decemeber 31st, Celestino Caballero will take on Satoshi Hosono in Japan for the WBA featherweight title. These two will fight on what looks like a fairly decent card coming out of Japan. The other scheduled fight is Takeshi Uchiyama against Jorge Solis for the WBA Super Featherweight title, but that's not the point. Celestino is coming from a fairly poor string of results. Three fights ago he lost pretty convincingly to the very limited Jason Litzau. Then he lost a very controversial decision to Jonathon Victor Barros in Argentina. Scott scored that fight for Caballero and if I remember correctly most critics did as well. Anyways these two had a rematch and Caballero won a unanimous decision in Argentina. Honsono is coming off a string a victories after losing a close decision against Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym about two years ago. Caballero is confident coming into this fight and commented on his confidence and issues with his weight. He gave his thoughts to Jhonny Gonzales of Boxing Scene.

"The work is already done. I left the gym today a half pound under the agreed weight limit [of 126-pounds]. Panama will get my success in Japan. To all of the Panamanians who are waiting for my fight, I just want to tell you to have faith. Everything will be great for my first defense, God willing."

The comments about the weight are good to hear. I can't remember if Caballero has ever had issues with weight, but simply knowing that it won't be an issue in this fight is good news (One less potential excuse). I'm excited to see these guys go at it in a surprisingly high quality card for the end of the year. I said it once and I'll say it again, if you get bored of football you should definitely try to check this card out.

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Depend on which Caballero shows up

Of the Caballero who fought Molitor or Somsak shows up, he blows Hosono out of the water. If the one who fought Litzau or Mathepula shows up, he’ll lose a decision. Caballero is a really good fighter at his best, but hes one of the most maddeningly inconsistent fighters out there. Maybe it’s a Panamanian thing. Guillermo Jones is an always has been the same way.

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"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 30, 2011 2:44 AM EST via mobile reply actions

On the other hand

While Uchiyama is pretty basic, I’d be surprised if Solis beats him. Solis has had his few moments (against Cruz and Pacquiao most notably), but just always seems to fall a bit short.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Dec 30, 2011 2:47 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

I dig Uchiyama’s meat-and-potatoes effectiveness. Heavy enough hands to blast Solis if he gets an opening, I think, but it could be a Solis-led fight with a late stoppage if Jorge is on his game.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 30, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah it depends on if Jorge still has legs. He seemed very poor in his last fight against Gamboa but then again Gamboa is a beast. If Uchiyama has some power he could definitely give Solis some trouble, especially if he shows the same wobbly legs as he showed in his last fight.

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by Waldo Rastel on Dec 30, 2011 3:39 PM EST up reply actions

Uchiyama is sturdy in every way. Kind of a European-style fighter; makes very few mistakes and isn’t exactly exciting, but he’s effective and can punch.

Bad Left Hook
"To the town of Agua Fria rode a stranger one fine day..."

by Scott Christ on Dec 30, 2011 7:06 PM EST up reply actions

It’s pretty interesting that Cabellero struggles so badly against tall fighters like Mathepula and Litzau, and he lost badly awhile back to Ricardo Cordoba. That shows me why he fought at super bantam for so long so he can beat guys 5’4 or 5’5 with his incredible reach and height advantage.

by 36_chambers_ofdeatH on Dec 30, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions

Caballero should knock him out with ease. I agree, however, it depends on which Caballero shows up. I still want to see him against JuanMa.

by rantcatrat on Dec 30, 2011 6:54 AM EST reply actions

I think Hosono beats Cabellero by a clear unanimous dec. Cabellro has way more experience, but Cabellero’s technique has always been so horrible. Hosono is pretty good technically and just a good fighter overall.

by 36_chambers_ofdeatH on Dec 30, 2011 9:23 AM EST reply actions