Unbeaten Cesar Cuenca may get his chance this year

Unbeaten Cesar Cuenca may get his chance this year

Cesar Cuenca (47-0, 2 KOs) is one of the most promising boxers that Argentina has nowadays. However, his big shot never seems to arrive. With a perfect record, he has never fought outside his native country yet. Meet this skilled southpaw and understand the reasons of his lack of international opportunities.

Danny Garcia, Adrien Broner, Lamont Peterson and Jessie Vargas are some of the names that make the Jr. Welterweight division one of the most interesting to watch. From Argentina, Lucas Matthysse, former WBC interim champion, is probably the man to follow, considering the amazing victories he achieved against John Molina and Roberto Ortiz last year. However, there is another fighter from the land of the legendary Carlos Monzon that wants to make a statement in the 140 pounds.

Cesar Cuenca is not very well known in the boxing world. Born in Chaco, the skilled southpaw has gone through a long and hard road to force promoters to give him the title shot he deserves. Nevertheless, that opportunity never seems to arrive.

Cuenca, 33, has already won three Jr. Welterweight titles in his career, the Argentine, Fedecaribe and Latino belts, and defeated the Ghanaian Albert Mensah in the IBF eliminatory fight that took place last May in Buenos Aires.

Considering his amazing record and performances, why doesn’t he get the big shot against the current champion Lamont Peterson? Undoubtedly, Cuenca’s style isn’t functional for the business. Although he is an extraordinary defensive boxer with a great footwork, fast hands and a remarkable intelligence; his lack of punching power and his unwillingness to exchange shots don’t make him a “commercial fighter”.

These considerations have conspired against the Argentine, who also beat the Puerto Rican Alex De Jesus (20-1, 13 K.O) in 2009 and his knock out artist countryman Carlos Olmedo (26-4, 25 K.O) in 2012.

Due to lack of opportunities, this undefeated boxer hasn’t seen a lot of action in the past years. Despite his three fights in 2013, he only made one in 2012 and one in 2014, all of them in Argentina.

Edgardo Rosani, from OR Promotions, the company that represents Cuenca, said that the southpaw will be fighting in the United States in the next months against a ranked opponent, just to introduce himself and let the fans know him a little more. In case of winning, his big opportunity would come. Would it be against Lamont Peterson? His potential upcoming fight against Danny Garcia makes it once again, complicated. Only time will tell.

Cuenca “El Distinto” (“The Different One”) needs to have his chance. Not only because of his professional victories and outstanding skills, but also because good boxers need to be more important than selling tickets and watching two men starring in a war in the ring.

– Luciano Jurnet /@tuchojurnet13

– Contributor to www.BehindtheGloves.com