Back in the ring and ready to prove the critics wrong.

This upcoming Friday, James ‘Crunchtime’ Wilkins (9-1) faces off against Bryan ‘Chary’ Chevalier (15-1-1) in a 10-round featherweight contest for the WBO NABO title. Golden Boy Promotions have put together an entertaining card that includes twelve competitive fights. The event is headlined by the main event contest between undefeated Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez’ (41-0) and Cuban veteran Sullivan Barrera (22-3).This will be Zurdo’s first fight since joining Oscar De La Hoya and Golden Boy. DAZN will broadcast the long day of boxing from Los Angeles at the Banc of California Stadium, home of LAFC of the MLS.

 

Wilkins, 25, was born in Staten Island, New York, and currently trains in Atlanta, Georgia, with Mustafa Boxing. At  5’7” he uses his speed, power and stamina to dominate opponents. After his debut in 2016, Wilkins recorded 5 straight TKO victories. With a fast start to his career, he caught the eye of Oscar De La Hoya, earning him a deal with Golden Boy Promotions. On top of landing a contract with Golden Boy, legend Roy Jones Jr. has also took a liking to Wilkins. Roy has trained Crunchtime off and on since the end of 2017 and even welcomed Wilkins into his home in Florida. Jones Jr. provides the mentorship and father-like role that any young fighter would die for.

 

Crunchtime has battled adversity his whole life, having spent three years battling on-and-off homelessness. During those darn times his appendix popped, leaving his future and health in jeopardy. He has battled and fought hard to overcome all the hardship. Unfortunately, the last two years forced him to face the adversity once again. He hasn’t fought since January of 2020, due to the global pandemic COVID-19 and a recent injury.

 

He was forced to withdraw from his fight against Oscar Acevedo due to an undisclosed arm injury. He was lined up to fight on the Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs Maurice Hooker undercard on March 20th of 2021. Four months later he has successfully recovered and is ready to make some noise on July 9th.

 

One thing you can’t discount is Crunchtime’s work ethic and dedication to the sport. He’s constantly in the gym, always looking to improve and polish his skill set. When other fighters are sleeping, he’s already finished with the first workout of the day. While others are out at the clubs, he’s writing out his goals, then getting the proper rest a young warrior needs. At times his goals may seem overly ambitious, but it’s that type of attitude that you need to thrive as a professional fighter. On Friday he’ll get a chance to obtain one of his goals, becoming a title holder.

 

It won’t be easy for Wilkins, as he is matched up with Puerto Rican Bryan ‘Chary’ Chevalier. Chevalier will have the height advantage coming in at 5’11” compared to Wilkins 5’7”. Chary is coming off a 3rd-round KO victory against Carlos Zambrano on March 3, 2021. It’s hard to say this was an impressive win though, as Zambrano hadn’t fought in nearly four years. Chevalier himself hadn’t fought in 453 days prior to the matchup. He is currently with Miguel Cotto Promotions, who have a solid relationship with Golden Boy Promotions. Chary also works with legend Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Gym in Los Angeles. Cotto and Roach are two impressive names to be associated with, but once that bell rings, only the fighters can control their fate.

 

Matchmaker Robert Diaz is known for putting together 50-50 fights, and that’s exactly what he’s done. Another prime example of his matchmaking skills are on display on the same card with the matchup between Hector Tanajara and William Zepeda. Two undefeated fighters both represented by Golden Boy. Diaz and GBP has proved over and over that are not scared to test their fighters, even when both are undefeated.

 

Both fighters have their share of knockouts on their resume, but only Chevalier has surrendered a KO loss. It was an overhand right from Alcides Santiago that gave him the only loss of his career. Guess what? One of Crunchtime’s best punches is that exact overhand right.

 

Santiago’s resume of 6-3 proves that Chevalier is certainly beatable. If the 5’5” Santiago can take down the taller fighter, there is no question that Crunchtime can do the same. The height advantage simply goes out the window. I fully expect this fight to be competitive and explosive. Wilkins is hungry, tenacious, and has the dedication to match it.

 

This will be Crunchtime’s first 10-round contest as a professional. Luckily, endurance and defense has been a focus in his recent camp. His trainer, Mustafa, is known for coaching defensive technique. Mustafa seems to be the perfect addition to Crunchtime’s team, he let’s his fighter be himself, but also puts a big emphasis on the mental portion of the sport. Wilkins needs to be smart and patient in his approach. Look for him to try to keep the fight on the inside, partly due to the reach advantage.

 

Thanks to his great conditioning, the jump to 10 rounds doesn’t intimidate Crunchtime or his team. He is managed by Jason Fowler and ESEMG out of Dallas, Texas. The combination of Mustafa, Fowler and Roy Jones Jr. will look to provide the encouragement and essentials that are necessary for a successful career.

 

The fireworks already started on Wednesday during the final presser. During the stand off, Crunchtime grabbed Chevalier’s throat. He promptly responded with a right hand slap to the face. A slight scuffle broke out, as multiple Golden Boy representatives had to hold each fighter back. The announcer attempted to calm them down, “If you guys don’t get to fight, you don’t get paid”. Expect more of the same on Friday, we should be in for a entertaining back and forth fight between the featherweights.

 

The stage is now set, it’s simply up to Crunchtime to get the job done. He has the determination, tenacity, and ability to do so. If he can listen to his coaches and stay away from the antics this young man can fulfill is dream of becoming a title holder. Boxing Guru and boxing fans across the world will tune in to watch James ‘Crunchtime’ Wilkins’ dreams come true.

 

The event also includes fights between:

 

  • Co-Main Event, Joseph ‘JoJo’ Diaz (31-1-1) vs. Javier Fortuna (36-2-1) for the Interim WBC World Lightweight Title

 

 

  • Hector Tanajara (19-0) vs. William Zepeda (21-0) in a battle of undefeated prospects

 

  • Naoko Fujioka (18-2-1) vs. Sulem Urbina (11-1) for the WBA World Female Flyweight Title

 

Written by: Michael Frank  (@ringsidemike)

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