This weekend is set to be cram-packed full of boxing. And with three high-brow world title showdowns ready to unfold, fight fans must be pinching themselves (or did I get a little carried away there?). If you’re out and about, worry not as Boxing Base will be providing Live Round by Round coverage of all the major fights taking place. Anyway, let’s get to it:
November 20th
Ramirez vs Khatchikian
TruTV
Gilbert Ramirez is the hot favorite in this one, and rightly so. Unbeaten and currently Boxing Base’s No.4 Super Middleweight, he looks like the real deal, always moving ever closer to a world title showdown with…well, someone.
I’m not too hot on his opponent Gevorg Khatchikian, but I do recall seeing him in action against James DeGale back in early 2014. The guy can bang a bit, and looked highly durable against new IBF titlist DeGale, who is the biggest name on Khatchikian’s record.
Khatchikian kept strong for the majority of the fight, pressuring DeGale, but was eventually chopped down with body shots in the 11th. In short, the guy can fight, so should make Ramirez vs Khatichikian a not-too-shabby appetiser before the weekend’s marquee names begin to appear.
On the Ramirez vs Khatchikian undercard, Saul Rodriguez and Ivan Najera will be trading blows in a Lightweight 10-rounder, plus Junior Lightweights Casey Ramos and Antonio Capulin will go at it in a scheduled 8-rounder.
Garcia vs Hidalgo
Estrella TV, RingTVLive.com
This is probably the worst match-up of the weekend. Not because it’s god-awfully dreadful, but because it pales tremendously against the rest of the weekend’s cards. A-side fighter Horacio Garcia is a decent upcoming talent, no doubt, but won’t be creating major buzz by facing journeyman Raul Hidalgo.
The reason for this step down in opposition taking place is simple: Garcia suffered his first career setback back in May against Hozumi Hasegawa, who was clearly the better man during the 10-round contest. And now, Garcia needs a confidence-boosting tune-up. Which is fair enough.
The tune-up in question is Raul Hidalgo, who, standing at 24-13-0, shouldn’t really ask too many questions of Garcia. The Garcia vs Hidalgo card will also feature a Junior Featherweight 8-rounder between Roy Tapia and Erik Ruiz.
November 21st
Perez vs Crolla II
Sky Sports 1
Last time these two fought, boxing fans were treated to an exceptional display of boxing, but tasted sour grapes when the officials handed in their scores. It seemed Anthony Crolla had done enough to leave the ring with Darleys Perez’s WBA strap, but apparently not. The fact Perez had also been docked a couple of points along the way made the outcome all the more bitter.
But there’s no need to dwell on it any longer. Crolla got his wish and will be squaring off with Perez once again as he looks to prove he’s the better man. Though I believe Crolla ‘unofficially’ won their first meeting, I wouldn’t like to bet too large on the Mancunian in this sequel.
Crolla seems like the more refined boxer who carries underrated pop in his punch, but Perez proved he also has enough savvy and power of his own. Perez vs Crolla looks to be absorbing stuff, indeed.
In the co-feature, Tyrone Nurse will face Chris Jenkins. Also on the bill will be Horsea Burton vs Tony Hill, Issac Lowe vs Ryan Doyle, and Charlie Edwards vs Phil Smith. Boxing Base will have Live Coverage of the Perez vs Crolla card right here and over on Twitter (@BoxingBase).
Abraham vs Murray
Sky Sports 1
OK, not a lot of people are talking about this one. And with fights like Cotto vs Canelo (below) and Perez vs Crolla (above), it’s easy to see why. But that doesn’t mean we should all be forgetting about Abraham vs Murray, a pretty solid headliner which will see Arthur Abraham’s WBO Super Middleweight title on the line.
Martin Murray has come up short three times in world title scraps, and will be looking to be forth time lucky here. Though the Brit has been exclusively facing tomato can-types so far at Super Middleweight, we shouldn’t write the guy off. Going 11 rounds with Gennady Golovkin and losing close decisions to Felix Sturm and Sergio Martinez shows just what the guy can do.
But yeah, those fights were at Middleweight, granted. And Abraham, a granite-chinned, heavy-handed boxer-puncher, is much bigger than those guys. Personally, I’m giving Murray a shot here, regardless. Perhaps not to win, but to put in a gutsy performance, maybe even go the distance. If a less capable fighter like Paul Smith can go the full 12 with Abraham (twice), then why not Murray, eh?
I’ll be reporting Live Coverage of Abraham vs Murray right here on Boxing Base. Round by Round Coverage will be taking place over at Twitter (@BoxingBase) also.
Cotto vs Canelo
HBO PPV, Boxnation
I almost don’t feel the need to outline this main event, since it’s creating huge buzz in the boxing fandom right now. But it’s my job, so I guess I’ll have to. Miguel Cotto and Canelo Alvarez will be colliding in front of a sold out crowd as these top-tier fighters decide who the rightful owner of the WBC Middleweight crown is.
A lot more than a belt is at stake here, of course. There’s always been a fierce rivalry between Puerto Rico and Mexico, and so bragging rights, honor, heritage – all that patriotic stuff – are on the line. And I’d have to say legacy, too. If Cotto wins, he’ll be on his way to the Hall of Fame on roller skates. And if Alvarez wins, he’ll have come a step closer to knocking on the door – not to mention becoming the sport’s new biggest attraction/PPV star.
Be sure to not miss the Cotto vs Alvarez support as it contains yet more world title encounters. In the co-feature, Takashi Miura will be defending his WBC Lightweight crown against Francisco Vargas. Beforehand, Lee Haskins’ will be making his stateside debut as he looks to dethrone IBF Bantamweight champ Randy Caballero.
Guillermo Rigondeaux will be back in action against Drian Francisco, and finally, Jayson Velez will be locking horns in a 10 round Featherweight dustup. Not too shabby, right? Boxing Base will have Live Coverage of the Cotto vs Canelo card right here, plus over at Twitter (@BoxingBase).
What are your predictions for this weekend’s fights, boxing fans? Cotto vs Canelo, Abraham vs Murray, Perez vs Crolla II? Who wins?!
