Welcome to the boxing schedule. Sorry we missed ya last week.
- Naoya Inoue vs Petchbarngborn Kokietgym, Sunday, Zama Japan. The ultra-talented junior bantamweight Inoue has his third straight “meh” fight since a spectacular 2014 campaign, but at least he’s fighting. It wouldn’t be nearly as frustrating except an appetizing match-up with Roman Gonzalez continued to evade us. Guess we can keep saying, “Maybe next time?” Inoue’s bro Takuma fights on the undercard.
- Kohei Kono vs Luis Concepcion, Wednesday, Tokyo. Except the winner of this one may get Inoue instead, especially if it’s Kono, since that would be a big Japanese match-up. There’s good news here, though. Kono-Concepcion should be a terrific bout. And the winner could climb in the Transnational Boxing Rankings, perhaps setting up Inoue vs (Kono or Concepcion) as a bout that could crown a new world championship. Paired with the bout: a fairly meaningful junior flyweight bout, #2 Ryoichi Taguchi vs Ryo Miyazaki, a borderline top 10 fighter.
- McJoe Arroyo vs Jerwin Ancajas, Saturday, Taguig City Philippines. Ancajas is a Filipino southpaw. How original. At least he’s affiliated with MP Promotions, aka Manny Pacquiao’s outfit. He has demonstrated power so far, albeit against not much of anyone. Arroyo is a more tested junior bantamweight, but hasn’t faced the competition his brother McWilliams has.
- The Rest. PBC puts on a show on NBC Sports Net Saturday featuring junior welterweight prospect Darwin Price… beIN Sports Espanol also broadcasts a card Saturday.
