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July 9 – Main Event – 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.

Heavyweights usually get better viewers..

Let's see hwo it fairs.

Takam to win via late stoppage or boring Decision.

Is there some hidden meaning to 'big baby' ? seems like a weird nickname to have multiples of

He should rename himself the "clean big baby"

Also takam v forest should be a solid fight

I'd be surprised if taken had the power to stop him, I'd say a sort of 118-110 decision for takam

The odds on this fight are even money. I’m utterly flabbergasted by those odds.

Forrest will beat Takam.

Carlos Takam is on the cusp of turning forty years of age, and his performances during his last two outings were subpar.

The Frenchman appeared sluggish, and his punches lacked pop. He seems ready for the taking.

If Takam has anything left in the tank, he wins, but I feel he’s already a spent force and it wouldn’t surprise me to see a journeyman like Jerry Forrest causing an upset.

Forrest isn’t in awe of Takam’s credentials. “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.”

The 39-year-old Takam is a slight -155 betting favorite. Backers of Forrest, 32, can get +135.

Enlightened-One wrote: ↑08 Jul 2020, 05:24 Carlos Takam is on the cusp of turning forty years of age, and his performances during his last two outings were subpar.

The Frenchman appeared sluggish, and his punches lacked pop. He seems ready for the taking.

If Takam has anything left in the tank, he wins, but I feel he’s already a spent force and it wouldn’t surprise me to see a journeyman like Jerry Forrest causing an upset.

Agreed. Takam is not the same man who went to me-to-toe with Joseph Parker four years ago.

That being said, I’m less sure that Forrest can win a decision. Lost his last ten rounder and he doesn’t go many rounds in his fights. Forrest needs a KO to win or at least some drops.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Jul 2020, 05:52 The 39-year-old Takam is a slight -155 betting favorite. Backers of Forrest, 32, can get +135.

Got Forrest at a bad number (-100). But Takam at his age can go at any fight worth a shot.

Jerry looks like a chubby 15 year old

His body is actually not as fat as I remember though, it must be the chubby cheeks that give him such a big boi look

Takam is a different level fighter even if shopworn. Id bet he wins a decision

Jeff_lacy_ko wrote: ↑08 Jul 2020, 14:21 Takam is a different level fighter even if shopworn. Id bet he wins a decision

AT 39 I don't think he's on a different level. There levels not far off. There is level of experience but level of the actual fighter nah not at this stage.

Wr shall see. Interesting fight.

Takam may well be faded but Forrest has a pretty stint record as far as any meaningful form goes. Although he could've gotten the W vs Franklin it didn't really look to me as a guy who would stand out as probably beating Takam. It is interesting though to see what each has

margaret thatcher wrote: ↑08 Jul 2020, 15:27 Takam may well be faded but Forrest has a pretty stint record as far as any meaningful form goes. Although he could've gotten the W vs Franklin it didn't really look to me as a guy who would stand out as probably beating Takam. It is interesting though to see what each has

I mean that Franklin fight should have been a win. So there's meaningful form to a degree. At worse he was level with Franklin who I think would be equal to Forrest imo. Like you guys said we will see.

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.

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑08 Jul 2020, 16:20 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.

This only makes me believe more that this will be a knockout for someone.

Why is that bruhster

Main Card (ESPN, 8pm ET)

10 Round Heavyweight Bout
Carlos Takam (38-5-1, 28 KOs) vs. Jerry Forrest (26-3, 20 KOs)

10 Round Featherweight Bout
Carlos Castro (25-0, 10 KOs) vs. Cesar Juarez (25-8, 19 KOs)

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Joshafat Ortiz (7-0, 4 KOs) vs. Joshua Orta (6-0, 2 KOs)

6 Round Middleweight Bout
Fred Wilson Jr (6-0-2, 2 KOs) vs. Donte Stubbs (6-1, 2 KOs)

Other fights

4 Round Welterweight Bout
Peter Cortez vs. Corey Champion

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 12:26 Main Card (ESPN, 8pm ET)

10 Round Heavyweight Bout
Carlos Takam (38-5-1, 28 KOs) vs. Jerry Forrest (26-3, 20 KOs)

10 Round Featherweight Bout
Carlos Castro (25-0, 10 KOs) vs. Cesar Juarez (25-8, 19 KOs)

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Joshafat Ortiz (7-0, 4 KOs) vs. Joshua Orta (6-0, 2 KOs)

6 Round Middleweight Bout
Fred Wilson Jr (6-0-2, 2 KOs) vs. Donte Stubbs (6-1, 2 KOs)

Other fights

4 Round Welterweight Bout
Peter Cortez vs. Corey Champion

Did Anderson get scratched?

ryandmosley wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 12:41

Ruthless-RKO wrote: ↑09 Jul 2020, 12:26 Main Card (ESPN, 8pm ET)

10 Round Heavyweight Bout
Carlos Takam (38-5-1, 28 KOs) vs. Jerry Forrest (26-3, 20 KOs)

10 Round Featherweight Bout
Carlos Castro (25-0, 10 KOs) vs. Cesar Juarez (25-8, 19 KOs)

6 Round Lightweight Bout
Joshafat Ortiz (7-0, 4 KOs) vs. Joshua Orta (6-0, 2 KOs)

6 Round Middleweight Bout
Fred Wilson Jr (6-0-2, 2 KOs) vs. Donte Stubbs (6-1, 2 KOs)

Other fights

4 Round Welterweight Bout
Peter Cortez vs. Corey Champion

Did Anderson get scratched?

Ya unfortunately some issue with his opponent Hector Perez