The fighters for the Goossen Tutor-promoted "Independence Showdown" card in El Paso weighed in yesterday, and nobody had any issues. The show will be available on ESPN3 and ESPN Deportes starting at 8:30 p.m. EDT this evening, and we will be doing live, round-by-round coverage of the event.
In the main event, WBC featherweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez (49-7, 43 KO) defends against rugged veteran Rogers Mtagwa (27-14-2, 19 KO). While this fight may appear a mismatch on paper, and is in the talent department, Mtagwa has power and Gonzalez's problem has always been a weak chin. It's really the only thing that has prevented him from reaching true elite status.
Gonzalez weighed in at 125 pounds, with Mtagwa at 124.
Also on the card, local favorites Antonio Escalante and Mickey Roman are in action, in separate bouts. Escalante (24-4, 15 KO) is looking to get his career back on track after two bad KO losses in a row. He'll be facing Pipino Cuevas Jr (14-7, 12 KO). Escalante's chin has looked fragile in those two losses, so never say never with that one, either. Escalante weighed in at 133, with Cuevas at 135.
Roman (35-8, 27 KO) faces Antonio Meza (25-10-1, 17 KO) in a 10-round lightweight bout. Roman weighed 135, Meza weighed 136.
Other weights:
Javier Molina (8-0, 4 KO, 148) vs John Revish (10-4-2, 8 KO, 146¾)
Joel Garcia (2-0, 1 KO, 111¾) vs Ricky Lacefield (0-1, 0 KO, 111)
Jennifer Han (3-1-1, 0 KO, 128¾) vs Kerri Hill (3-20-1, 1 KO, 130)
Carlos Villa (2-0, 1 KO, 144) vs Javier Nunez (0-1, 0 KO, 141½)
For those in the area, tickets are still available at Ticketmaster.