BBN find out a few things about Billy Joe’s next challenger Marcelo Esteban Coceres
Billy Joe Saunders’ next opponent immediately got fight fans wondering just who Marcelo Esteban Coceres is, so BBN decided to dig up some interesting facts about the unknown Argentinian due to challenge BJS for his WBO super-middleweight world title on November 9 in LA on the undercard of the blockbuster KSI vs Logan Paul 2 rematch:STATS
Age: 28
Bouts: 29
Wins: 28
Losses: 0
Draws: 1
KO’s: 15
KO Ratio: 52%
He was born in Villaguay in Argentina, but now lives in San Jorge in the Santa Fe Province.
Nicknamed ‘El Terrible’, the unbeaten South American shares the same alias as Mexico's four-weight world champion Erik Morales.
His debut was in February 2012 – almost eight years ago – against winning fighter Angel Alberto Panario (8-1) in his home city of San Jorge, resulting in a second round TKO victory.
The only slight blemish on his otherwise perfect record came as a fledgling pro in his second fight when he was knocked down in the first round against winning fighter Cesar Hernan Reynoso (3-2-1). The 21-year-old bravely battled back to salvage a draw over the four rounds after what would’ve been a 10-8 opening round.
His trophy cabinet contains an IBF Latino super-welterweight belt, WBC and WBO Latino middleweight titles, and his most recent bauble – a WBA Fedebol middleweight strap, meaning he has won titles with all four governing bodies in boxing.
He is currently ranked at WBO #10 and IBO #35.
In his last fight, just a few weeks ago on September 21 in Buenos Aires, he defeated fellow countryman German Ignacio Peralta (7-5-5) via unanimous decision to claim the vacant WBA Fedebol middleweight title.
He has a nice style to watch, he likes to box on the outside and flick out his jab whilst keeping on his toes and can be quite skilful, evasive and fleet-footed, similarly to BJS. He is tall and rangey, has good head and upper body movement, but lacks power in his punch.
His fight with Billy Joe will be the first outside of South America, having fought 28 of 29 bouts in his home country and once in neighbouring Uruguay.
WATCH Coceres in action one year ago against Davi Eliasquevici: