Andre Ward, son of the guy pictured above (or, like, his brother? the trinity is confusing) is back this weekend. So are the 2016 Olympics.
- Andre Ward vs Alexander Brand, Saturday, HBO, Oakland Calif. This doesn’t figure to be much of a test at all for Ward in advance of his fall showdown with a much more dangerous light heavyweight, Sergey Kovalev. Brand was once “mysterious Columbian puncher,” but the mystery was killed by the fact that he hasn’t knocked anyone out the three times he’s fought on U.S. soil, including a split decision loss against his only “name” opponent, Badou Jack. He’s more an awkward type than a power broker.
- Olympic Boxing, Saturday, NBC, Rio Brazil. Olympic boxing kicks off Saturday, and runs through Aug. 21. Hold on to this schedule, friends.
- David Benavidez vs Denis Douglin, Friday, ESPN, Philadelphia. Power-punching super middleweight prospect Benavidez takes on busted prosect Douglin, he of “Momma’s Boy” fame. Douglin did win all three of his fights in 2015 after losing in 2014 to George Groves, following several other losses dating back to 2011.
- Juan Diaz vs Cesar Vazquez, Saturday, Unimas, Tuscon Ariz. Lightweight Juan Diaz is back, again.Vazquez hasn’t done a whole lot, losing three in a row starting back to 2012 before rebounding with a couple nothing-wins in 2015. Also on the card: former Olympic gold medalist Egor Mekhontsev, the worst of the lot from 2012.
- Rob Brant vs Chris Fitzpatrick, Friday, CBS Sports Net, Temecula Calif. Brant is somehow ranked it the top 10 by two sanctioning organizations. Look at who he’s fought and tell me why. “Belts matter.”
- Vyacheslav Shabranskyy vs Oscar Riojas, Friday, Estrella TV, Los Angeles. Shabranskyy is a light heavyweight of note because he beat Yunieski Gonzalez, but his opponent? This probably doesn’t even deserve to be on a channel as small as Estrella.
