We are joined by Gayle Falkenthal of NYFights.com to preview the upcoming week of fights.
Saturday, 5 PM PST, Prime Video PPV (prelims, 3:00 PM PST)
David Benavidez vs. David Morrell
A fun must-see grudge match between two feared punchers at super middleweight who have shown vulnerabilities at their new weight class –– light heavyweight. Benavidez is the man who wants to fight Canelo Alvarez, but can’t seem to get the fight. Morrell is the man looking for the big fight. Both concussive punchers, and both seen as
Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton Jr.
The fight is a rematch. Since the first fight, Fulton lost to Inoue and has only fought once since that fight, a split-decision win over Carlos Castro, which was debatable. Figueroa has also fought once-a-year in the past few years, but appears to be trending up.
Fulton won the first fight, though I scored it for Figueroa. Interesting to see if Fulton can get back to his old ways or if he is stuck in his new ways.
Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz vs. Angel Fierro
Cruz is an exciting come-forward Mexican puncher. Fierro scored a big win over Alberto Machado and did nothing with it. Fierro is vulnerable, but capable. This one might overachieve by most people’s standards.
Jesus Ramos Jr. vs. Jeison Rosario
Ramos Jr probably should have beaten Erickson Lubin, but the judges scored it another way. Rosario probably should have beaten Jarrett Hurd, but it was ruled a draw. Ramos might be one of the five best 154lbs fighters and Rosario is looking to stay relevant. A good opener, but also one that should show why Ramos is a top contender.
Fights to watch on prelims or before: Curmel Moton will fight off-TV and he seems like a star. middleweight Yoenli Hernandez is on the Prime Video prelims and a featherweight title eliminator between Mirco Cuello-Christian Olivo Barreda. Daniel Blancas faces Juan Barajas who is tough as nails.
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Saturday on Peacock app (Start time should be close to 11am PST)
Adam Azim vs. Sergey Lipinets
A fight to see if Azim is a world-class fighter. Lipinets might be older, but he is still tough.
Friday on DAZN (11 am PST)
George Liddard vs. Derrick Osaze
The middleweight Liddard is really good.
Junaid Bostan vs. Bilal Fawaz
Junior middleweight Bostan is raw, but has a lot of personality –– every fight could be interesting with him.
Jimmy Sains
Middleweight Sains is vulnerable and probably not world-level, but very fun if matched right.
Sunday on DAZN (5 PM PST)
Claressa Shields vs. Danielle Perkins
Shields career will be remembered fondly and hopefully she gets her credit. To me, she is the greatest women’s boxer ever. A two-time Olympic gold medalist, undisputed in multiple division and now the best fighter at light heavyweight and heavyweight (though it is a thin talent pool).
Perkins is the best fighter at or around this weight, who had amateur pedigree and is credible. The only downside her age –– Perkins is 42. Still, Shields is a very fun fighter who is fighting right after her film The Fire Inside hit the movie theater.
Fights (and fighters) to watch on the undercard: Heavyweight fight between Brandon Moore-Skylar Lacy, welterweight Joseph Hicks-Keon Papillion, Joshua James Pagan, Samantha Worthington and Caroline Veyre.
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