It's not often that we get a couple of lefties fighting for a world title, but today at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, WBC Light Flyweight Champion Ganigan Lopez defends his newly won belt for the first time. Across the ring will be the number one ranked and mandatory challenger, Jonathan Taconing of Paranaque City in the Philippines. There is so much about this fight that could swing the result either way. The champ Lopez has the massive advantage of fighting in his own back yard which is at altitude. He is also considered to be slightly the better boxer, which might just get him home if it goes the full 12 rounds. On the down side though, he manages to get beaten a little more often than you'd think a champion should. From his 33 fights to date, he's tasted defeat on 6 occasions. And he's not the biggest puncher in the division. He only puts them away at just over 50% of the time.
Taconing on the other hand can bang. From his 25 fights, of which he's won 22, lost 2 and drawn one, he's stopped 18 at 72%. But he comes in at a big disadvantage when it comes to reach and lack of altitude adjustment. Lopez stands 5' 5", while Taconing is only 5' 2". The challenger, known as "Lightning" has only been in Mexico City a matter of days, but he's stated that he only needed a day or two to adjust. I think somebody has been pulling his chain. The big danger for him will be whether his body throws on the air brakes after 4 or 5 rounds. Betting has this thing wide open, both are in the red. Ganigan Lopez, according to Oddschecker, is 9-10, while Jonathan Taconing is quoted at 5-6. I wouldn't be backing either fighter, but I wouldn't mind a ring side seat.
