Richard Commey is the defending International Boxing Federation world lightweight champion but it did not start off that way. On September 9, 2016 Commey lost the IBF championship in a split decision to Robert Easter Jr. Many boxers would have become discouraged but Commey instead used it as rocket fuel for a championship run. He has won his last four fights since that defeat and is coming off a win over Isa Chaniev for the IBF world lightweight title. Now he will face one of the toughest veterans in any division in his first title defense bout. Raymundo Beltran is a battle tested legend that will give Commey a supreme challenge and big-name opponent on June 28.
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Raymundo Beltran – Check Back Later
Richard Commey – Check Back Later
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On June 28, 2019 defending champion Richard Commey (28-2, 25 knockouts) will face challenger Raymundo Beltran (36-8-1, 22 knockouts) for the International Boxing Federation world lightweight championship. This bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and can be seen on ESPN and ESPN Deportes. This fight will take place at the Pechanga Resort & Casino in Temecula.
Fight Preview
Richard Commey is not only the defending champion but is also one of the biggest punchers in the lightweight class. This makes his matchup against Raymundo Beltran so intriguing. Beltran hasn’t been knocked out since all the way back in 2008 when Ammeth Diaz administered a TKO in the fifth round of that bout. Beltran is a former World Boxing Organization world lightweight champion.
Commey has expressed his respect and admiration for Beltran as well as his excitement for his first title defense bout.
“I’m honored to be headlining an ESPN show as a world champion and to be fighting former world champion Ray Beltran, whom I have the utmost respect for,” said Commey. “This is an opportunity for me to show the American public that I’m here to become the undisputed lightweight champion of the world. The path is set, and come June 28, I’ll be ready to rock and roll.”
Commey defeated Isa Chaniev in a second-round knockout last February 2 to win the title belt in most dominant fashion.
Beltran is celebrated as a former sparring partner to the stars and captured a world championship in his own right in February of 2018 when he scored a unanimous decision win over Paulus Moses for the World Boxing Organization world lightweight title. However, it also must be noted that Beltran surrendered the belt in a unanimous decision loss to Jose Pedraza last August. In his most recent bout Beltran defeated Hiroki Okada in a ninth-round knockout.
“I’m excited about this fight with Richard Commey,” said Beltran. “I’ve been the WBO champion and I intend to be the IBF champion on June 28. I expect a tough fight, but that’s the kind of fight I like. We are both very experienced, so it will come down to who is willing to lay his heart on the line that night. After losing my title to Jose Pedraza, I think some people thought I was done, but I always come back to prove that I belong.”
“We’re thrilled that (Commey’s) first title defense will be a high-profile fight against tenacious world champion Ray Beltran,” said promoter Lou DiBella. “Richard wants to be a unified champion star. He has an opportunity to raise his profile worldwide.”
Boxing Betting Tips
While Beltran is on the comeback trail, he will be facing a younger and fresher champion in Commey that has plenty of momentum and confidence.
Boxing Odds Pick: Richard Commey
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With the boxing odds at BookMaker Sportsbook, you can bet on boxing all year, from smaller cards to pay-per-view events. Access live betting lines from your mobile device at BookMaker Sportsbook. Raymundo Beltran vs. Richard Commey takes place on June 28, 2019 at Pechanga Resort & Casino, Temecula, California. The fight can be seen on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
