The July boxing scene is on point. Amid a stacked month of fan-friendly action, a modern great is set to continue his legacy, while two elite Cruiserweights will collide in a mouth-watering unification, and a Pound for Pound favorite returns. As always, you can check out the entire month’s fixtures in our updated 2018 Schedule.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Lucas Matthysse (Boxnation)
July 14, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
While this fight isn’t overly significant for the Welterweight ranks, it does boast star appeal and thriller potential. Manny Pacquiao, despite approaching the twilight of his career, possesses the greater ability and talent, but the one-punch KO power belongs to Matthysse. So this is naturally a battle of veteran legend versus vaunted puncher.
Pacquiao should have all the tools he needs to frustrate and outbox his man, but there’s a good chance Matthysse could do major damage from a single blow. For that reason, Pacquiao needs to fight smart and avoid getting into any unnecessary close-range exchanges. We’ll soon see. Matthysse will defend his WBA title.
Pacquiao vs. Matthysse: Notable Undercard
- Moruti Mthalane vs. Muhammad Waseem | vacant IBF Flyweight Championship
- Carlos Canizales vs. Bin Lu | WBA Junior Flyweight Championship
Jaime Munguia vs. Liam Smith (HBO)
July 21, Las Vegas, Nevada
Overall, this Junior Middleweight matchup looks decent enough, considering where both men are in their respective careers. The unbeaten Jaime Munguia is on top right now following a shock demolition job of Sadam Ali in May, and Liam Smith, a former champion with questionable ability at true world level, isn’t a bad opponent. For defense number two, I’ve no complaints.
Munguia looked sharp and brutal versus Ali, sure, but that’s not to say Smith, who gritted out nine rounds against Canelo Alvarez in 2016, can’t make this a hard fight. Smith is gnarly, seems to relish a tear up, and is far too capable to be considered a soft touch here. Munguia’s WBO title will be up for grabs.
Munguia vs. Smith: Notable Undercard
- Albert Machado vs. Rafael Mensah | WBA Junior Lightweight Championship
Oleksandr Usyk vs. Murat Gassiev (ITV Box Office)
July 21, Moscow, Russia
What can I say about this World Boxing Super Series Final that isn’t already being said? It’s a spectacular for-all-the-marbles unification between the two best Cruiserweights in the world. And that’s not really up for discussion. All the major belts – IBF, WBA, WBO, WBC – will be on the line, and the man with his hand raised at end of this thing will be ‘The Man’. Period.
It’s simply a fantastic fight. Usyk is the slicker operator who looks like the slight favorite going in, but I wouldn’t be anything close to surprised if Gassiev, a banger with some deft boxing ability of his own, is able to spring what would still likely be considered a sizeable upset. All the ingredients are there. Just watch it.
Usyk vs. Gassiev: Notable Undercard
- Cecilia Braekhus vs. Inna Sagaydakovskya | IBF, WBA, WBO, WBC Welterweight Championship
Mikey Garcia vs. Robert Easter (Showtime)
July 28, Los Angeles, California
Again, nothing to reasonably complain about here. Mikey Garcia, BB’s No.4 Pound for Pound and No.3 Lightweight, will be colliding with Robert Easter, BB’s No.4. It’s another best-fighting-the-best meeting, and things become even more interesting when you throw in the unbeaten records and title unification element.
Plus, physically, these guys couldn’t be more different. Garcia is the more dangerous, natural-born puncher in this one, sure, but that’s not the whole story. Though he’ll be considered the favorite, we can’t overlook the fact that he’ll be giving away five inches in height (5’ 6” – 5’ 11”) and eight in reach (68” – 76”). Easter’s IBF and Garcia’s WBC belts will be in the pot.
Garcia vs. Easter: Notable Undercard
- Richard Commey vs. TBA | Lightweight
Dillian Whyte vs. Joseph Parker (Sky Sports Box Office)
July 28, London, England
After watching Joseph Parker’s spirited effort against Anthony Joshua – in which he became the first man to go twelve rounds with AJ – I’m going with the Kiwi in this one. Parker showcased a more refined side of his skill set that night, and those smoother edges should allow him to beat Dillian Whyte, a decent contender, albeit one who seems noticeably scrappier these days.
Now, I’m not completely writing Whyte off. He can bang and, when he chooses to, throw in some cerebral moves. But I’m just wondering what he’s done exactly to get himself into this Pay Per View matchup. I think Whyte just has that excitement factor going for him; giving AJ a shaky start, going life-and-death with Derek Chisora, and destroying an overweight (even shot?) Lucas Browne.
Anyway, whatever. Let’s just hope Whyte vs. Parker is a barnburner.
Whyte vs. Parker: Notable Undercard
- Kell Brook vs. Brandon Cook | Junior Middleweight
- Katie Taylor vs. Kimberly Connor | WBA, IBF Lightweight Championship
- Derek Chisora vs. Carlos Takam | Heavyweight
Boxing in July: Best of the Rest
Jose Ramirez vs. Danny O’Connor (ESPN / Deportes)
July 7, Fresno, California; WBC Junior Welterweight Championship
Regis Prograis vs. Juan Jose Velasco (ESPN / Deportes)
July 14, New Orleans, Louisiana; Junior Welterweight
Tyron Zeuge vs. Rocky Fielding (Sky Sports Arena)
July 14, Offenburg, Germany; WBA Super Middleweight Championship
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs. Young Gil Bae (TBA TV)
July 21, Bang Phun, Thailand; Bantamweight
Christopher Diaz vs. Masayuki Ito (Boxnation, ESPN+)
July 28, Kissimee, Florida; WBO Junior Lightweight Championship
And there you have it, fight fans. Fire away with your early predictions for this July’s Top 5 fights. Do you see any upsets lurking? Can Pacquiao continue his boxing legacy with a win over Argentine wrecking ball Matthysse? And who will leave with all the marbles in the Cruiserweight WBSS Final? Let us know below.
