Toe-to-toe Tuesday returns on FS1 with a PBC boxing show with Omar Douglas (17-1, 12 KOs) trying to bounce back from his first loss by fighting Edner Cherry (35-7-2, 19 KOs) at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pa.
In the undercard, Stephen Fulton (10-0, 5 KOs) fights Luis Rosario (8-0-1, 7 KOs). With a two-hour block, we might get a third fight. I’ll get you all the details when the men hit the ring.
As always, scroll on down for the live blog. Keep reading for the press release from the PBC.
The two fighters are at different points in their respective careers, but their paths have become intertwined in a bout that will directly impact the future trajectory for both men.
Two-time title challenger Edner Cherry (35-7-2, 19 KOs) will take on talented prospect Omar Douglas (17-1, 12 KOs) in a 130-pound bout set for 10 rounds that headlines a Premier Boxing Champions Toe-to-Toe Tuesdays card at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (FS1, 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT).
At Monday’s weigh-in, Cherry came in at 129½ pounds and Douglas hit the scale at 129.3.
Cherry, 34, has the edge in experience, having fought 289 rounds in 45 career bouts. He has twice competed for world titles, losing to Timothy Bradley at 140 pounds in September 2008 and to Jose Pedraza at 130 pounds in October 2015.
Cherry, a native of the Bahamas who has long lived in Wauchula, Florida, said he still has plenty left in his tank to take care of Douglas.
“Age doesn’t mean nothing in my book; it’s just a number,” he said. “With my experience, I’m not worried about his age.”
Douglas, 26, seemingly was on his way toward a potential title shot, but he took a step backward in November when he dropped a 10-round unanimous decision to former 130-pound champion Javier Fortuna.
In that fight, Douglas gained a first-round knockdown but failed to keep the pressure on as he faded in the latter half of the bout. He said that will not be the case against Cherry.
“Losing to Javier Fortuna really opened my eyes on what it takes to be a boxer,” Douglas said. “There was a lot of pressure on me for that fight but I’m not making an excuse for it. I enjoy the pressure and all the eyes on me because it helps me grow as a fighter.
“Going to the cards always has me nervous and leery. Ever since the amateurs I always go for the knockout punch because you just don’t know what is going to happen.”
Since losing to former two-division champion Paulie Malignaggi in February 2007, Cherry has gone 14-2, with those defeats coming in his world title challenges. He bounced back from his split-decision loss to Pedraza with a 10-round unanimous decision over Lydell Rhodes in his last fight in June.
“I am motivated and I believe in myself,” Cherry said. “Those are the reasons that I am still here at the top of the 130- and 135-[pound] divisions. My family gives me drive every day. This is my job and I have to go out and do it well.”
The fights are on FS1 at 9 p.m. Watch them with me.
