In June of last year Edison Miranda exited Puerto Rico and arrived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida in anticipation towards his heavily anticipated rematch with current IBF Middleweight champion Edison Miranda. After exiting the plane, the first location that Miranda and his team hit up was Contender's Gym, as the Columbian donned a sweatsuit and began working out just days before the Miranda-Abraham rematch.
Much of the attention in the gym was focused towards Miranda as he warmed up, but there was a particular individual who was part of 'Team Pantera' that caught my eye on the heavy bag. His name was Jose Nieves, now a 17-1 Bantamweight for Canati, Puerto Rico. As Nieves went to work in the gym I noticed a level of class in his abilities and I was intrigued by his skillset and demeanor.
At that time in the gym in June Nieves was coming off of a hotly contested March loss to Victor Fonseca in which both men paid a visit to the canvas. I wondered how Nieves would rebound from that defeat, as it was obvious he had the skills to make an impression in the sport.
Tonight I received that answer as Nieves engaged in the opening bout of a nine fight card at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Florida just moments ago. Fighting agianst Columbia's Antonio Cochero, Nieves displayed great skill and poise on his way to a 60-54, 59-55, 58-56 unanimous decision win.
Nieves, southpaw by nature, exhibited an excellent lead jab to both the body and head and controlled the contest throughout, stunning Cochero on a few occasions.
With the win Nieves now moves to 17-1-2 with 8 knockouts and should be set to have a definitive comeback year in 2009.
