The first big boxing weekend of 2016 isn’t far away, folks, so let’s get straight to it and examine what’s in store for fight fans. If you can’t catch the action, fear not as Boxing Base will have Live Coverage here plus Round by Round Updates on Twitter.
January 12th
Flores vs Briones
Fox Sports 1
Miguel Flores and Bryant Perrella are both decent prospects looking to shine on this Tuesday night PBC card and shouldn’t have too many questions asked of them in the ring. Flores (18-0, 9 KO) will headline against Mario Briones (27-4-2, 20 KO) in a Junior Lightweight 10-rounder, while Perella (12-0, 11 KO) will face Ramon Ayala (25-5-1, 13 KO) in a Welterweight 8-rounder.
While there’s not too much to get excited about here, the main event may be worth a look in at least. Briones knows how to handle himself and carries some notable pop, having ended 20 of his 27 wins inside the distance.
January 16th
Haye vs De Mori
Dave (UK)
This is an intriguing event for many reasons, with David Haye finally making his comeback after a long spell out the ring due to recurring shoulder injuries. While Mark De Mori (30-1-2, 26 KO) wouldn’t have caused Haye (26-2, 24 KO) any difficulties a few years back, the story may not be the same at 35. Yes, Haye, a former Cruiser and Heavyweight champ, is getting on in his years, but that shouldn’t stop him chasing some big names of the division after this tune-up. (Yes, my money’s still on the Hayemaker)
It’s no coincidence that Haye vs De Mori is taking place on the same night as Wilder vs Szpilka (below), after all. Provided Haye gets by the tough yet overmatched Frenchman, Haye could find himself in the ring with popular fellow British big men such as Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua next. Given Haye’s explosive speed and power (provided those strengths haven’t left town), fights such as these will have no problems captivating audiences.
John O’Donnell (30-2, 11 KO) will also collide with Shayne Singleton (21-1, 7 KO) in a Welterweight 12-rounder which could produce a tasty little appetiser before ‘Haye Day’. Boxing Base will have Live Coverage of the Haye vs De Mori card right here and over on Twitter (@BoxingBase).
Wilder vs Szpilka
Showtime, Sky Sports 1
This is another opponent Wilder (35-0, 34 KO) has been criticised for defending his WBC Heavyweight title against. But let’s be honest, we’re all going to watch it because…well, Wilder is an exciting Heavyweight (a rarity these days) who carries scary power. Szpilka (20-1, 15 KO) may not be the biggest threat out there, but that doesn’t mean we should start calling him a tomato can just yet.
The Pole is on the cusp of cracking Boxing Base’s Heavyweight Top 10, and let’s remember that Wilder hasn’t exactly looked invincible in his recent ‘soft touch’ defenses. Eric Molina managed to rock the 6’ 6 wrecking machine and hang in there for 9 rounds last June, and Johann Duhaupas closed Wilder’s eye en route to reaching the 11th round.
If you’re still not sold on this encounter, I don’t really blame you in all honesty. For what it’s worth, I do have some consolation, however: after this fight, the Alexander Povetkin clash ‘should’ take place, followed by (alright, don’t hold your breath…) Tyson Fury. Also, I’m sure the aging David Haye will become a future Wilder opponent, jumping at the opportunity to face the ‘Bronze Bomber’ some time in 2016.
Wilder and Szpilka won’t be the only Heavyweights trading leather. Vyacheslav Glazkov (21-0-1, 13 KO), our No.8 Heavyweight, will be fighting Charles Martin (22-0-1, 20 KO) for the right to take home Tyson Fury’s IBF title (which Fury was recently stripped of for reasons which are too boring to go into).
Boxing Base will have Live Coverage of the Wilder vs Szpilka card right here and over on Twitter (@BoxingBase).
Korobov vs Ovando
UniMas
Matt Korobov will be looking to rebuild his Middleweight career after getting blasted out by Ireland’s Andy Lee back in 2013. Korobov (24-1-0, 14 KO) will end his two year hiatus by taking on the limited yet durable Josue Ovando (14-8-1, 11 KO) in an 8-rounder. In the chief support, Lightweight prospect Erick De Leon (11-0, 5 KO) will face Fidel Navarrete (8-1-2, 4 KO) in another 8-rounder.
How do you see this weekend’s action unfolding, fight fans? Fire away with your predictions for Haye vs De Mori and Wilder vs Szpilka in the comments below.
