This picture is in no way connected to the boxing schedule, but it is awesome. Unfortunately the boxing schedule is not, and cannot even make a claim to be a diamond in the rough like last week’s. There are a few shows, though, so TQBR will talk you through them as always.
- Fidel Maldonado, Jr. vs. John Nater, Monday, Fox Sports 1, San Antonio. A rather run of the mill Golden Boy show on FS1 is headlined by junior welterweight Maldonado, Jr., who’s fighting late sub Nater (13-4, 10 KO). Nater is a bit of an unknown quantity but has never beaten a fighter with a winning record. Maldonado (17-2, 14 KO) should be well prepared after his previous two opponents fell through. He’s coming off an upset of Luis Ramos, Jr. and it’s good to see a fun guy like him get more TV time. The most notable fights on the undercard feature 2012 US Olympians Errol Spence and Terrell Gausha.
- Chris Algieri vs. Emmanuel Taylor, Friday, ESPN2, Huntington N.Y. Friday Night Fights brings us an interesting clash of styles from the hometown of medical degree aspirant and junior welterweight Algieri (18-0, 8 KO). The crowd should have plenty to cheer about as Taylor (17-1, 12 KO) attempts to hunt down their man behind a high guard. If he can touch Algieri a bit, especially to the body, he might be in with a chance. If not, the hometown hero is going to jab him into a paste.
- Dereck Chisora vs. Kevin Johnson, Saturday, Integrated Sports Pay-Per-View, London. It’s a dual bill of crazy heavyweight motherfuckers in London! First up is Chisora (19-4, 13 KO), who’s taking on veteran Johnson (29-4-1, 14 KO). The American tends to beat almost everyone bar the top 10 heavies, so this should be a good test of whether “Del Boy” deserves his #9 ranking from the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board. I suspect he does and his pressure will be too much for Johnson. On the undercard Tyson Fury and his brother Hughie both fight less than distinguished opponents. Many are waiting with bated breath for Tyson to get knocked out, but it ain’t gonna happen on Saturday.
- The Rest. On Saturday lightweight Diego Magdaleno (24-1, 9 KO) continues his comeback from his first loss, to Rocky Martinez, on UniMas from California. His harder punching junior featherweight brother Jessie (17-0, 13 KO) fights on the same card, against Roberto Castenada (20-5-1, 15 KO), who has lost his last four, three of them by knockout. Brazilian Olympian Esquiva Falcao is making his professional debut at super middleweight on the undercard… The same night on Fox Deportes, hard headed featherweight Robertson Castellanos (19-9, 12 KO) fights Rene Alvarado (19-2, 13 KO) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Castellanos may be in line to get Abner Mares’ tune up fight if he wins.
