This weekend’s TV Boxing Schedule is a busy one headlined by former Welterweight champions Shawn Porter and Andre Berto. There’s a bunch more action in store, including Oscar Valdez in his first acid test, plus two Super Middleweights hoping to remain relevant in a heated Liverpool scrap. As always, be sure to check out our Complete Boxing Schedule for the full 2017 lineup.
Saturday, April 22
Murray vs Rosado
Rocky Fielding vs John Ryder, Tom Farrell vs Tommy Carus, Sean Dodd vs Lee Appleyard
Sky Sports 1 – 2:30pm ET, 7:30pm GMT
The headliner, a Super Middleweight 12-rounder of tough veterans, is fairly solid. These nearly-men have a ton of experience, but notably a good number of miles on the clock. Personally, I’d back Murray to win here. He’s the more superior, well-rounded fighter, and has fared better at high-level. On the flip side, the rugged Rosado is three years Murray’s junior, and is never in a dull fight. However you slice things, it looks like a fun war. Which is surely the reason Matchroom has dubbed it ‘Beautiful Brutality’.
As for the rest of the card, it’s not too shabby. The most intriguing appetizer looks to be Rocky Fielding’s second attempt at capturing the British Super Middleweight title. This time it will be against John Ryder, a very capable operator who shouldn’t be overlooked at domestic level. Also on the card, Welterweight affair Tom Farrell vs Tommy Carus, plus Sean Dodd vs Lee Appleyard at Lightweight.
Langford vs Khurtsidze
Darryll Williams vs Jahmaine Smyle, Tyrone Nurse vs Joe Hughes, Zolani Tete vs Arthur Villanueva
Boxnation, BT Sports 1 – 2:30pm ET, 7:30pm GMT
Unbeaten Middleweight prospect Tommy Langford takes on Avtandil Khurtsidze, who I still consider a decent step-up, maybe even a legitimate threat, even if he is 8-inches shorter. Maybe I’ll regret writing that, but since there’s still a whole lot to find out about Langford, I’m happy to put it out there for now.
Getting into the alphabelty spaghetti of things, this fight is for the WBO ‘Interim’ World Middleweight title, which means a whole lot of nothing to me. But, you know, it should mean that the victor will be in line to challenge WBO ‘Proper’ titlist Billy Joe Saunders in their next outing. It’s something to think about, at least.
The supporting cast includes prospect Darryll Williams taking on Jahmaine Smyle in another 168-pound contest, plus Tyrone Nurse hoping to make the fourth defense of his British Junior Welterweight title against Joe Hughes. Also, Bantamweight Zolani Tete will be knocking on the door for a world title shot if he can get by Arthur Villanueva, in what looks like an interesting clash.
Valdez vs Marriaga
Gilberto Ramirez vs Max Bursak, Jesse Magdaleno vs Adeilson Dos Santos, Alexander Besputin vs Breidis Prescott
Boxnation, InDemand – 9:00pm ET, 2:00am (Sunday) GMT
The main event is a must-watch, with Oscar Valdez, who is really a top-prospect with a belt right now, taking on a legitimate threat in Miguel Marriaga. Valdez is a vicious, hard-hitting machine known for producing fireworks, and Marriaga plenty crafty, with some big pop of his own. This fight hasn’t been getting much attention it seems, but I for one am intrigued to see who leaves with the WBO’s portion of the Featherweight crown.
Jessie Magdaleno, who put on a breakout performance against Nonito Donaire last November, will be back to defend his WBO Junior Featherweight title against Adeilson Dos Santos. This encounter shouldn’t be too taxing for Magdaleno, but, you know, we’re all used to seeing first title defenses of this sort in boxing.
Also on the card, Gilberto Ramirez will be defending his WBO Super Middleweight strap against Max Bursak, while Junior Middleweight start-up Alexander Besputin takes on veteran Breidis Prescott. Finally, pro-newcomer Shakur Stevenson hits the Featherweight scene against Edgar Brito.
Abraham vs Krasniqi
MDR – 4:30pm ET
While it’s true Arthur Abraham is beginning to slip south of today’s Top 10 Super Middleweights, he should have enough left in the tank, along with ability, to conquer a guy like Robin Krasniqi. This isn’t a dreadful fight in need of major fight-fan scoffing, it’s just that it’s more or less irrelevant in the big scheme of things at 168 pounds.
Porter vs Berto
Jermell Charlo vs Charles Hatley, Amanda Serrano vs Dahiana Santana
Sky Sports 1, Showtime – 9:30pm ET, 2:00am (Sunday) GMT
This is a decent mainstream matchup between Shawn Porter, a current Welterweight Top 10 contender, and Andre Berto, who is looking to re-enter that table. Both of these guys are former champions, like to bang and grind it out, and for that reason it’s got to be worth checking out. Neither man looks like he’s going to do major damage against the elites of the division, but that’s OK. Both are tenacious, all-action guys, so what’s not to like?
Jermell Charlo will be making the first defense of his WBC Junior Middleweight title in the night’s chief support, with Charles Hatley playing challenger. On paper, Hatley looks capable yet not entirely threatening, with his biggest win coming against aging veteran Anthony Mundine in late 2015, followed by a seventeen-month layoff. So probably not a potential show-stealer. The decorated Amanda Serrano will also be in action, hoping to bag the vacant WBO Bantamweight strap against veteran Dahiana Santana.
Which fights are you most craving in this week’s TV Boxing Schedule? Who will edge closer to another crack at a world title in Porter vs Berto, and where do the belts fall in the rest of the weekend’s championship bouts?
