As you might have guessed by the title and the video, this weekend is gonna be a sloooow one. Like, really slow. There are only two televised cards airing in the U.S. It’s that bad. At least we’ve got nearly two months of uninterrupted quality after that. So let’s get to it, with a slightly disappointed sigh.
- Sharif Bogere vs. Francisco Contreras, Friday, Showtime, Las Vegas. Uganda’s Bogere takes on the Dominican Republic’s Contreras in an internationally-flavoured clash of quality lightweight prospects of ShoBox. Bogere (20-0) has fought the better competition thus far, including knocking out TQBR favourite Jose “El Loco” Hernandez, usually a very tough outing. He was last seen winning a controversial unanimous decision against Ray Beltran, a former Manny Pacquiao sparring partner. He’s very fast, decently powerful and punches in combination. Contreras (16-0) is a well-schooled, very powerful boxer-puncher with a punishing jab. This could really be fun. Bogere was hurt in the fight against Beltran, so Contreras will be a big test of his chin. Contreras has never been in against anyone anywhere near as good as Bogere, so it’ll be a big test of his everything. At the very least, it should feature an amusing ring walk from Bogere.
- Raul Martinez vs. Rodrigo Guerrero II, Saturday, Fox Deportes, Saturday. This oft-rescheduled rematch of last year’s junior bantamweight war should be interesting. Martinez (28-1) should have been a class above Rodrigo (15-3-1) last time out, but instead got dragged into a war which he only narrowly won. Matinez’ only loss came against Nonito Donaire; there’s no shame in that. Again, he should be the better man here, but Guerrero has a cast-iron chin (which he showed by going 12 rounds with Vic Darchinyan) and never stops coming. He might also be in Martinez’ head a little, since Martinez hasn’t fought since their last meeting. Guerrero knocked out the rather nondescript Leopoldo Arrocha in the meantime.
- Ramon Garcia Hirales vs. Donnie Nietes, Saturday, Bacolod City Phillipines. Filipino road warrior Donnie Nietes comes home to fight and moves up in weight to fight Mexico’s Ramon Garcia in this interesting junior flyweight bout. Hirales (16-2-1) is the Ring’s #8 in the division and a decent boxer. Nietes (28-1-3) hasn’t lost since 2005 but is moving up from strawweight. He’s got a badass uppercut, so we’ll see if his power carries up.
- Kell Brook vs. Rafal Jackiewicz, Saturday, Sheffield England. Flashy British welterweight prospect Kell Brook is taking on Polish veteran Jackiewicz, in what he hopes will be his last fight before entering the big time/fighting in America. Brook (24-0), who comes out of the same Sheffield gym as Prince Naseem Hamed, seems to be quite a package; powerful, skilled and tough. He should probably take care with Jackiewicz (38-9-1), though, whose nine losses belie victories over Delvin Rodriguez and Jan Zaveck, as well as a few welterweight fringe contenders. Also, there’s a guy called Tony Montana fighting on the undercard.
- The Rest. If you’re a big enough fan to track down Manny Siaca’s fight and other less than stellar offerings, I worry for your soul. But click the link to find out.
