[PilotMan]

Good news this week! Ali is finally back at work in the gym. It is still going to be some time before he will be in fight conditioning, but at least now, he can get back in shape. I am on the lookout for a new opponent for Ismael Gutierrez, and another for Andreas Ruelas.

There are a few guys who are down to 2 fights each remaining on their contracts. I need to decide after their next fights whether or not they have what it takes to keep fighting for Punishment Inc.

Omar Acevedo is the first. He did well in his last fight, but he might be reaching the pinnacle of his ability. He is closing in on a top 25 ranking in the Lightweight category, and he could potentially make top 10, but his chin is a real drawback.

Andreas Ruelas is the second fighter. He will most likely be resigned, because he is only now, getting into the form of a fighter who is ready to make a move up the rankings. He is still ranked rather low, but he has had some great fights, and he is still fairly reasonable to sign.

Glenn Leeds is the last fighter. I signed him as a potential big money maker. His value has increased almost 50% since I signed him, and he is undefeated, but there is something about the way that he fights that makes me really hesitant. He has the raw, natural ability to really be someone, perhaps I need to be more dedicated to him.

Here is a preview of the fights this week:

Bantamweight World Champion and Fighter of the Year - Carlos Zarate 68-5-1(62) v. #4 Hiroshi Nagase 33-9-1(12)

Zarate is in his first title defense against a fighter who hasn’t lost in almost two years. Nagase recently fought to a draw with Xavier Firth, almost three months ago. This is the first time that he has been ranked in the top 10. I can understand why his first defense is against a fighter with limited status in this division, and I can also understand why he is so reluctant to fight Job Reyes again. However, I still think that Reyes is the man. Zarate lost a year ago, to a fighter that Nagase beat later that same year. Zarate is the heavy favorite at 2/5, while Nagase is at 11/5. Nagase has a great chin, but Zarate hits like a hammer. He will likely defend succesfully.

Former Flyweight Champion - #2 Gerardo Ramirez 29-2-0(13) v. #3 Mauro Martinez 36-0-0(21)

Mauro Martinez has beaten everyone. He has been ranked in the top 10 for three full years. He has never gotten a title shot. Ramirez is the only two time champ in history. Both want Rocky Cubillas, the current WCBM Fighter of the year. This is a titanic battle. Neither fighter has great stamina, and Martinez is a much bigger hitter. I love Martinez, but if Ramirez gets him reeling who knows what will happen. Maruro is a big favorite at 4/9 while the odds on Ramirez are 15/8. I cannot bet against a fighter who has yet to lose.

Former Light-Heavyweight Champion - #8 Julio Perez 17-4-0(6) v. #9 Otto Pink 32-2-0(25)

Perez has lost four fights in a row. Somehow, he is still in the top 10. Being a former champ must hold a lot of weight. In fact, he hasn’t won a fight since late 2004, and that was when he won the title. Pink is new to the top 10. When Perez won the title, Pink was ranked 40^th in the division. Now he a bit higher. Pink comes in with much more confidence, and the poise of a fighter on the rise. All is not what is seems though. They both fought Javier Madrid. Perez beat him, but Pink lost to him, just about a year ago. This is a power v. defense matchup. Perez is the defense, while Pink is the power. Perez is the favorite at 2/5, and Pink is at 2/1. I don’t know where Perez’s head is at, so maybe Pink will get some money on this one.