7/9 ESPN: Carlos Takam vs Jerry Forrest

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Main Event
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Carlos Takam (38-5-1, 28 KOs) vs. Jerry Forrest (26-3, 20 KOs)
10 Rounds, Heavyweight​

Takam has been at, or near, the top of the heavyweight hierarchy for the past decade. He is a former world title challenger who has won three fights in a row and is seeking another championship opportunity at the age of 39. A 2004 Olympian for his native Cameroon, Takam, who is co-promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, has wins over former world title challengers Michael Grant and Tony Thompson. Forrest has suffered only one defeat since 2014, a controversial split decision against Jermaine Franklin last July. The winner of this main event will take a seismic step forward in the heavyweight landscape.

“For the past two weeks, I didn’t think I was fighting since my fight with Oscar Rivas fell through, but I stayed ready,” Takam said. “I want to give a great fight to everyone watching on ESPN.”

DeGuardia stated, “I am thrilled the ESPN audience will be able to see Carlos Takam on July 9. Takam-Forrest is a significant fight in a hot heavyweight division. Carlos is a true pro, and he didn’t let the Oscar Rivas pull-out affect him. He stayed ready and now can jump in on less than two weeks’ notice to capitalize on this opportunity. This will be his third fight in less than a year, and kudos to him as he is a fighter who wants to stay active.”

“I respect Carlos Takam as a man, but I will have to hurt him and do what I have to do to win," Forrest said. "This is an amazing opportunity for me to fight on ESPN. I feel I've earned it, and I’m more than ready. The change in opponent was of no huge concern. Though Takam has been more active and is in better shape, he and Jarrell Miller have a similar style, so I didn’t have to change much in training camp."

Co-Feature
Carlos Castro (25-0, 10 KOs) vs. Cesar Juarez (25-8, 19 KOs)
10 Rounds, Junior Featherweight

Castro, from Phoenix, Arizona, is 5-0 since signing a co-promotional deal with Top Rank, rising the rankings with a classic boxer-puncher style. He dominated former world title challenger Genesis Servania over 10 rounds in February 2019 and is coming off a tight majority decision verdict over longtime contender Jesus Ruiz. Juarez is synonymous with toe-to-toe battles and is perhaps best known for his 2015 Fight of the Year contender against Nonito Donaire, which he lost by unanimous decision. Juarez is 8-4 since the Donaire fight, including a knockout win over Albert Pagara (26-0 at the time).

Undercard

Heavyweight sensation Jared “The Real Big Baby” Anderson (4-0, 4 KOs), who notched a KO win inside “The Bubble” on June 9, will return in a six-rounder against an opponent to be named.

Philadelphia middleweight Fred Wilson Jr. (6-0-2, 2 KOs), who is coming off a pair of draws, will fight Ashton Sykes (5-3, 1 KO) in a six-rounder.

In an eight-round cruiserweight tilt, the unbeaten Robin Sirwan Safar (10-0, 7 KOs) will fight DeShon Webster (12-3-2, 6 KOs). Safar has won his last three by first-round knockout.

In a four-rounder at welterweight, Peter Cortez (2-1, 1 KO) will take on an opponent to be named.

Puerto Rico-born junior lightweight prospect Joshafat Ortiz (7-0, 4 KOs) will collide with fellow unbeaten Joshua Orta (6-0, 2 KOs) in a six-rounder.
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Carlos Takam and Jerry Forrest are ready to fight.

The pair of heavyweights will move forward with an assignment neither expected less than three weeks ago, as they collide Thursday evening at MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas, Nevada (ESPN, 8:00pm ET/5:00pm PT).

Cameroon’s Takam (38-5-1, 28KOs) weighed in at 245.7 pounds for an assignment he accepted in late June. Forrest (26-3, 20KOs) checked in at 225.6 pounds for the scheduled 10-round main event.

takam2.jpg


Takam was originally due to face Canada’s Oscar Rivas, but the bout was scrapped when Rivas was unable to move forward in present form. Takam wisely remained in fighting shape, and was in a position to step in for disgraced heavyweight Jarrell Miller, who racked up his fifth official positive drug test within the past six years. The latest infraction leaves Miller temporarily suspended by the Nevada State Athletic Commission and likely facing a lengthy ban.

The 39-year old Takam enters riding a three-fight win streak. Forrest— a 32-year old southpaw from Newport News, Virginia—rebounded from a controversial 10-round loss to Jermaine Franklin last July with a 2nd round knockout of Midwestern clubfighter Martez Williamson last September.

In the evening’s co-feature, unbeaten junior featherweight contender Carlos Castro (25-0, 10KOs) faces former title challenger Cesar Juarez (25-8, 19KOs) in a scheduled 10-round clash. Castro weighed 123.8 pounds, while Juarez tipped the scales at 124.5 pounds

Two heavyweight bouts were originally scheduled to take place on Thursday’s show. One fell off, as Jared ‘Big Baby’ Anderson was left without an opponent when Florida’s Hector Perez (7-2, 3KOs) was forced to withdraw due to illness not related to COVID-19.

FULL WEIGHTS

Carlos Takam, 245.7 vs. Jerry Forrest, 225.6—10 rds, Heavyweight

Carlos Castro, 123.8 vs. Cesar Juarez, 124.5—10 rds, Jr. Featherweight

Joshafat Ortiz, 130.8 vs. Joshua Orta, 132.7*—6 rds, Jr. Lightweight

*Orta is 0.7 lb. over the 132-pound contract limit, has one hour to shed the excess weight

Fred Wilson Jr, 159 vs. Donte Stubbs, 159.5—6 rds, Middleweight

Peter Cortez, 147.5 vs. Corey Champion, 147.6—4 rds, Welterweight
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