What Next for Gabriel Rosado?

[ArneK.]

By Ted Sares

Bektemir Melikuziev, Freddie Roach, Edgar Berlanga, and Jaime Munguia are names that, one way or another, figured into Gabe Rosado’s stunning KO last Saturday night in El Paso. It overshadowed the impressive showing by Noaya “Monster” Inoue later that night in Las Vegas.

Rosado (26-13-1) is a well-documented bleeder and just might start spurting during the walk-in, but he is never, ever in a dull fight. The tougher-than-tough Philadelphian won Top Gore honors for his blood and guts TKO loss to Canadian middleweight star David Lemieux in 2014. The year before, he bled aplenty in his game but losing effort against Gennady Golovkin.

This time against Melikuziev, the unbeaten Uzbek, the fight ended in round three when the 35-year-old underdog beat the Eastern Euro fighter to the punch during an exchange of rights with Gabe’s landing first and sending the former amateur star into dreamland. The force of the blow was amplified by the younger and faster man coming forward with caution to the wind. And this time, there was no bloodletting.

The knockout should be a contender for KO of the Year. In fact, it was reminiscent of Juan Manuel Marquez’s explosive knockout of Manny Pacquiao in their final match.

Once again, Rosado (who is now trained by Freddie Roach) has revived his career and can count on at least one last decent payday. While many think Jaime Munguia would be a solid next fight, the thinking here is that Rosado could get carved up by the undefeated Tijuana veteran who has won 30 of his 37 fights by KO. Munguia is just too good.

The Catch 22

Rosado is an all-action fighter but scar tissue and his propensity to bleed is his worst enemy. It has cost him in the past. For such an offensive-minded fighter as Gabe, he is trapped in a terrible catch-22. If he can get the lead early and the bleeding is stemmed within reasonable limits, he can be a force, but not against the likes of Munguia.

If not Munguia, then who?Here is one suggestion: How about “The Chosen One,” Edgar Berlanga (17-0) whose first round KO streak recently came to an end. Brooklyn vs. Philadelphia would be a nice added touch –not to mention the Puerto Rican factor. Could Rosado expose Berlanga as someone without enough experience, aka rounds? Would Gabe show that Berlanga is more Tyson Brunson that Edwin Valero?

Let’s make it happen!

Ted Sares enjoys researching and writing about boxing. He also competes as a powerlifter in the Master-class. He can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com

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[FrankinDallas]

Munguia should be next. Mexico vs PR....WAR!

[Kid Blast]

Munguia might just carve him up like carne asada--very rare

[KO Digest]

Great question.

My answer is fight Golovkin again.

Try and do better. Maybe win??

[Kid Blast]

I really, truly thought readers would love my suggestion of his fighting the upstart Berlanger and exposing him. But GGG would make a bloody mess of him--again. Just too good. It's what it is.

[Kid Blast]

''I always liked Gabe. Glad to see him catch a break''. Charlie Dwyer

[Kid Blast]

Also, the classic older guy vs. the younger one. Crossroads. Gabe loses, it's over. He wins, I'll write another "What's Next?" Lots of grist here for the writer's mill.

[57Blues]

How about going to the U.K. and picking up on a fighter ? Liam Smith or Liam Williams those are two guys that just popped into my head with a quick thought. Andrade is too goofy all over the map and the mat, 3G still could take care of this fight still has the accuracy to cut him up and knock him around, Murata is a block head but in a good way can take too many punches and keep standing, Eubank Jr. is a thought also. I am not convinced of too much with Rosado's last two fights. But have to admit it is interesting to do the pick one at this time. Rosado is no Gatti he could bleed just thinking about getting hit. Well the guy has got the attention of the fans so someone will get the fight. Berlanga is a good thought but he can make better money then him.

[Kid Blast]

Good suggestions, 57. But I still want to see Berlanger exposed.

[57Blues]

You wont have to wait long on Berg getting exposed he should have another fight in 3 months, but it might not be up agaist Rosado , like I said the money is what they are looking at right now. Boxing likes to move in slow motion these days. That is why the fight game is able to produce so many stories about boxing bc nobody wants to fight on a regular basis. It looks to me like Rosado was not affaid to take a loss good for him, all these others guys are more concerned about what they are wearing ringside then who they are hitting ring center. Too much flash in boxing right now. But that is another topic. Hope the man gets paid well in his next fight he earned it. Just dont try to pull a PPV out of your hat on this one OK ?

[Kid Blast]

Agreed 100%