North American Boxing Association(“NABA”) Lightweight Champion Logan Cotton McGuinness makes his second title defense this weekend at home in the 10-round main event against veteran Daniel “Canerito” Ruiz on the “Friday Night At The Fights” card at Hershey Centre in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
The “Friday Night At the Fights” show is presented by United Boxing Promotions, in association with McGuiness’ promoter, Hennessy Sports, and Groupe Yvon Michel.
World Boxing Association (“WBA”) No. 11 rated McGuinness (14-0-1, 7 KOs) captured his NABA belt and successfully defended it at the same venue, which isn’t too far from his Orangeville home, respectively, last September when Buzz Grant was unable to answer the bell for the third round, and this past February via a fourth round knockout of veteran Hector Julio Avila (47-5).
“Orangeville is a small town of around 30,000 people,” Irishman McGuinness said. “Everybody there is very supportive of their own and, where the fight is only a 40-minute drive, I expect half the town to be at my fight. Last September, I fought another local fighter (Buzz Grant) and half of Orangeville had to be there. There’s some added pressure fighting at home but, to see my family and friends there supporting me when I walk out to the ring, well, I can’t describe what that really feels like.”
The only blemish on Cotton’s otherwise perfect pro record is a six-round draw 13 months ago with dangerous Walter Estrada, who holds victories against former world champion Nate Campbell and Verquan Kimbrough.
“Everything is a stepping stone boxing,” the handsome 23-year-old Logan noted. “Winning the NABA title was my first big goal and defending it is another little step leading up to what I really want – a world title! I’m still very young and there’s no rush. Maybe, I’ll get a world title shot in another year or two. I’m not sure if I’ll drop down to 130 (super featherweight) or just grow into 135 (lightweight). I can fight in either division.
“I’m a boxer-puncher who didn’t start boxing until I was 14. I used to just apply pressure and throw combinations, but I’ve developed a lot more power, and I pick my spots better. It’s not just the power, it’s where your punches land, and I’ve been working on that a lot going into this fight.”
Ruiz (22-3-1, 16 KOs) will be fighting outside of his native Mexico for the first time. The former Mexican Pacific Coast Featherweight Champion is unbeaten in his last five fights with four wins and a draw.
“There’s not a lot of footage on him,” McGuinness concluded. “He has 22 wins with 16 knockouts, so the plan is to come out in the first round respecting him. I’ve been trained for everything and will figure him out. I’ll start slow, use my jab, and then go to the body. By the mid-to-late rounds I’ll chop him down.”
