MARVIN QUINTERO vs TYRONE HARRIS

Mexican prospect Marvin Quintero is advancing down the same path as Antonio DeMarco, another Tijuana southpaw lightweight promoted by Gary Shaw: regular appearances on Showtime in bouts against progressively stiffer opposition. On Friday, at the Pechanga casino resort in Temecula, CA, Quintero moves to main event status in his third consecutive Showtime appearance when he meets veteran fellow-southpaw Tyrone Harris in a 10-rounder.

Quintero, 22, is boxing for only the second time at 135 pounds. In his last fight he looked strong as a lightweight in winning a unanimous decision over the capable Wes Ferguson, while in his fight before this he sparkled in his ShoBox debut when stopping Nick Casal in three rounds.

Harris, 28, isn’t expected to win, but the former national Golden Gloves champion from Lansing, MI, is a competent, sharp-hitting fighter who has to be considered Quintero’s most difficult test. He has fought at a high level, and he has the talent and hand speed to be highly competitive.

Although Harris wilted from Urbano Antillon’s body attack in his last fight he had won five of his last six fights before this, including an impressive stoppage win over Michigan state rival Damian Fuller.

Unfortunately for Harris, he usually loses when he is matched in the crossroads type of fights that could push his career forward. I have a feeling that this will be the case again on Friday. Quintero is a quick, busy-punching fighter who sets a fast pace. I can see Harris having success every so often with his combinations, but Quintero has career-momentum going for him and he fights with such zest that Harris might not be quite able to keep up with him. Quintero should, I think, be able to take over the fight by the middle rounds and either wear down Harris for a late stoppage or beat him clearly on points.