Can Ex-Contender Abraham Nova Mount a Comeback in 2023?
When a fighter is riding high and things are going well, they are an unstoppable force. Yet, a devastating knockout can derail everything, causing some fighters to disappear and never to be heard from again. This is a situation junior lightweight Abraham “El Super” Nova (21-1, 15KO) is dealing following a brutal knockout loss and first career-defeat.
The 28-year-old Puerto Rican was burning up the rankings with every victory. He was decorated amateur with over 200 fights and a National championship in 2014. So it is no wonder Top Rank came knocking to sign the talented fighter with the signature blonde beard in 2019.
THE RISE TO THE TOP
In 2022, he was on a mission to fight for a title. Nova was ranked high by two major sanctioning bodies, and he called for a title fight against then-WBO featherweight champion Emanuel Navarrete after running over William Encarnacion on January 15.
Nova, hell-bent on wanting the fight with Navarrete, dropped down in weight. Furthermore, he accused the WBO champion of picking on smaller fighters.
“I got the skills, I got the power, I got the IQ to beat you. I have everything . . . I have the size; I am not the little guys that you’re fighting.”
THE HARD FALL FROM GRACE
Before he could get to the WBO champion, standing in the way was a two-time Gold medalist. On June 8, Robeisy Ramirez stopped the momentum of Nova with a savage fifth-round knockout.
Nova later admitted that losing so much weight is what ultimately led to his downfall. Furthermore, his absence from the ring has been costly as none of the sanctioning bodies have him listed in their rankings.
He is expected to return January 14 on the under-card of Oscar Rivas vs Efe Ajagba. It will be important that he wins impressively as his climb back to the top will be harder.
By: Bo Bland
