Boxing fans have been spoiled in November: Manny Pacquiao’s return, Andre Ward vs Sergey Kovalev and now the first one on this list.
- Vasyl Lomachenko vs Nicholas Walters, Saturday, HBO, Las Vegas. On paper, Pacquiao vs Jessie Vargas and Ward vs Kovalev weren’t likely to produce amazing results, but Ward vs Kovalev came close. Lomachenko vs Walters is a match-up of real punchers. Get excited. Lomachenko is the classier fighter by far, a guy who might be the most talented and skilled top-to-bottom boxer in the game. Walters, though, is a lanky junior featherweight with a 73′ reach to Lomachenko’s listed 65 1/2′. Interestingly, despite Walters’ physical dimension advantage, Lomachenko is the only one who has a knockout at 130; Lomachenko stopped Roman Martinez last time out, and Martinez was a real contender. If Walters doesn’t bring power at this weight, Lomachenko could win easily. I expect Lomachenko to have a little trouble figuring out Walters length early, then dominate. But it’s a real fight, the most dangerous opponent of Lomachenko’s short pro career. HBO will air Ward vs Kovalev for the undercard.
- Milan Melindo vs Fahlan Sakkreerin, Saturday, Cebu City Philippines. A couple one-time junior flyweight contenders go at it here. Sakkreerin is alternately listed as Teeraphong Utaida, in case you were as confused as I was by the various names you’ve seen as his opponent. Sakkreerin came onto the scene by beating Ryo Miyazaki in 2013, and hasn’t beaten anyone all that significant since, despite getting into the ring with a number of contenders. Melindo was modestly effective against Juan Francisco Estrada in a 2013 loss, but also hasn’t done much since, and hasn’t even been in against anyone all that significant. Word is that he’s struggled with discipline, even missing weight in his last fight, but he did all right this time.
- The Rest. Orlando Cruz, who made his name as the first major openly gay boxer, fights Terry Flanagan at lightweight; beIN Sports Espanol will broadcast on tape delay.
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