Look at this prize goose. Am I talking about Marcos Maidana or Floyd Mayweather? You be the judge of that, but how good an insult is prize goose? In non-selfie related news, the boxing schedule isn’t all that exciting this week, but there’s some interest to be had here and there from a couple of televised fights.
- Guillermo Rigondeaux Vs. Sod Kokietgym, Saturday, Macau, HBO2. You’ve got to feel for poor old Rigs (that’s my nickname for him now, don’t make it weird). The Cuban is one of the best boxers in the world, but few like him, least of all his promoter, Bob Arum. So instead of getting a fight with another top junior featherweight, he’s in with Thailand’s Kokietgym (63-2-1, 28 KO), no doubt a passable opponent, but hardly a world beater (he fought a guy on debut in his last fight). It does give Rigs (13-0, 8 KO) a chance to impress, though, which is just what he needs. The top of the bill is filled by Chinese flyweight Zou Shiming (4-0, 1 KO), who is taking a big step up against Luis De La Rosa (23-3-1, 13 KO). It’s a big step up for Shiming, and though he’s coming up in weight De La Rosa will apply authentic pressure, something the Olympic gold medallist hasn’t yet experienced in the pros. He’s coming along, though, so it should be interesting to see. Also Hong Kong’s answer to Jorge Arce, Rex Tso, is on the undercard, so that’ll probably be a war.
- Emanuel Taylor Vs. Karim Mayfield, Friday, ESPN2, Huntington N.Y. Bay Area junior welterweight Karim Mayfield (18-1-1, 11 KO) looks to bounce back from his first loss (to Thomas Dulorme), facing Emanuel Taylor (17-2, 12 KO) on Friday Night Fights. It should be pretty good, since the athletic but undersized Mayfield needs someone who’s willing to engage to bring the best out of him. With his stalking and high guard, Taylor should provide that.
- Mercito Gesta Vs. Luis Arceo, Friday, FS1/Fox Deportes, San Francisco. Filipino lightweight Mercito Gesta (27-1-1, 15 KO) is an entertaining fighter, which explains why he’s on TV every time you turn your head. His opponent Luis Arceo (28-12-4, 18 KO) is a Mexican of the old school: he doesn’t look like much but he’s tough and he come to fight. Gesta should be way better than him in every way, but it’ll be fun while it lasts.
- Jonathan Vidal Vs. Juan Kantun, Friday, Telemundo, Kissimmee Fla. The only reason I didn’t put this in the the rest section is that I wanted to cover every single televised show that’s on this weekend. This one pits two junior bantamweight both coming off two losses. ‘Nuff said.
