By Ian S Palmer
Unbeaten WBA Super World Super Featherweight Champion Alberto Machado of Puerto Rico will be defending his crown for the third time when he meets Andrew Cancio of Blythe, California in Indio, California this Saturday, Feb. 9th. The 12-round bout can be seen live in North America on DAZN. Machado’s last outing was a first-round stoppage over Yuandale Evans in October. Cancio last fought in August when he beat Dardan Zenunaj via a 10-round unanimous decision.
The 28-year-old Machado climbs into the ring with a perfect record of 21-0 with 17 Kos. It’s obvious that he has quite a bit of power as his current knockout ratio is an impressive 81 per cent and it was evident in his October, 2017 win over Jezreel Corrales when he won the title by an eighth-round knockout. Machado turned pro back in 2012 and the southpaw has fought just 64 rounds since then due to his knack of stopping his opponents. He’s quite big for a super featherweight at 5-feet-10-inches tall with a reach of 72 inches.
Machado hadn’t really fought anybody of note until meeting Corrales. He was dropped in the fifth round in that bout, but picked himself up from the canvas and stopped the former champion three rounds later. Corrales had lost his title by coming in over weight for the bout and the title was on the line for Machado only and he certainly took advantage of the situation. Machado had a fine amateur career by winning a few national championships and since turning pro he’s also won the WBC United States (USNBC), WBO NABO, and WBA-NABA Super Featherweight Titles.
Cancio is 30 years old and owns a mark of 19-4-2 with 14 Kos. He’s also got pretty good power with a knockout ratio of 56 per cent. He turned pro back in 2006 and has 132 rounds under hid belt since then. He stands 5-feet-6-inches tall with a reach of 68 inches, therefore he’s giving up four inches in both height and reach to the champion. He won the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Super Featherweight Title last April with a 10th-round stoppage over Aidar Sharibayev.
He was stopped by Joseph Diaz in the ninth round in 2016 with his other losses coming on decisions to Ronny Rios in 2014, Roger Gonzalez in 2012 and Carlos Vinan in 2008. He also has two draws on his record against Juan Velazquez in his pro debut and Freudis Rojas in his sixth pro fight, both in 2006. Cancio’s best wins have been over the likes of Rocky Juarez, Jerry Belmontes, Rene Alvarado and Hugo Fidel Cazares. He’s got good skills and power with a pretty reliable chin.
Prediction…
Machado’s style and power make him a fan-friendly boxer, but he isn’t the most mobile or fluid guy in the ring. He has good power with a not-so-perfect chin and that’s what makes him exciting. This has has the potential to be an entertaining and active fight and there could be a knockdown or two along the way. But with his four-inch height and reach advantage I’m also expecting Machado to retain his title here.
