Remember that for the next two weeks we will be having year-end awards, so if you missed boxing at all this year, use these lists as a way to go back and see great moments you may have missed.
Vito Returns
Saturday, December 25th, 5 PM PST - FOX
Vito Mielnicki is returning to the ring against Nick DeLomb in a ten-round bout. Mielnicki is a major ticket seller, and this should not unlike a lot of the cards, give us some highlight-reel fodder for Mielnicki, and an enjoyable Christmas day bout. This is a chance for “White Magic” Mielnicki to perform like a star.
undercard
Joey Spencer will face Limberth Ponce, a fighter who has a split decision loss to Thomas Hill recently. The expectation for Spencer in this fight should be to make a statement.
Kenneth Sims Jr. will return, after his big win over Elvis Rodriguez. Sims Jr. is coming off the biggest win of his career. Sims faces Kareem Martin, who gave Petros Ananyan, the only man to beat Subriel Matias, a tough fight, getting a majority decision loss. Sims Jr will become a player in the 140 lbs division.
Michael Angeletti, who was #1 seed at the Olympic Trials at the flyweight division will be featured on this card and has the chance to be a world champion. Angeletti is a good body puncher, which isn’t all that common for a young pro.
The most interesting bout on paper will be a battle of undefeated welterweights as Keeshawn Williams facing Anthony Velazquez.
Undefeated middleweight Petr Khamukov will be in action on the undercard, and appears to be a fighter who is being moved fast as with seven fights he is already in eight-round fights.
Seemingly the best fight of this upcoming weekend between Norman Neely and DeCarree Scott will no longer happen as Scott was injured in camp. A shame since this was going to be a true test for both fighters.
Neely remains on the card, and as his showdown with Scott could loom in the near future.
In Russia
Maxim Vlasov vs. Felix Valera to fighters who appeared on Top Rank Inc. cards over the past year or so will fight in Russia. Vlasov had a close fight against Joe Smith Jr., that many forgot happened, and against Valera, Vlasov is trying to reposition himself for a big fight in the light heavyweight division.
The 2020 Olympic gold medalist Albert Batyrgaziev of Russia will be fighting for the vacant IBF International featherweight belt against Franklin Manzanilla. Batyrgaziev who turned pro a month before the Olympics, which were held in July of 2021, has only fought in ten-round fights, and I believe is someone that his handlers believe could be in the world title mix by as early as a mid-next year.
Tickets on Sale Now For Thurman vs. Barrios
You can buy tickets for this fight, which is promoted by TGB Promotions, now at axs.com.
No Golovkin fight
One of the biggest stories is that we no longer get the return of Gennady Golovkin versus Ryota Murata. The newest version of the COVID-19 variant has caused new worries one of which being entering countries such as Japan, as new border policies forced the bout to be delayed.
Since September of 2018 when Golovkin faced Canelo for the second time, Golovkin has fought just three, and now will be looking at his longest period of inactivity as he approaches his 40’s.
Golovkin after losing his rematch to Canelo, one that I thought he slightly edged out, seems to have become bitter with the sport, and frustrated. Though he fights nothing like Marvin Hagler, his attitude to the sport is not unlike Hagler after the Ray Leonard fight, if Hagler had kept fighting.
Golovkin is a modern great, and I just hope we get to see him one or two more times.