After a lukewarm August, the fight schedule is set to pick up in a big way this September, with mainstream action across the board. A British Heavyweight titan returns, two Welterweight front-runners collide, and a gargantuan Middleweight rematch headlines. As always, you can check out our extensive fixtures in the updated 2018 Schedule.
Shawn Porter vs. Danny Garcia (Showtime, Boxnation)
September 8, New York, US
Former Welterweight titlists Shawn Porter and Danny Garcia clash for the vacant WBC strap in what looks to be a stellar main event. Porter and Thurman have already proven their worthiness as top 147-pounders, having both lost narrow decisions to Keith Thurman in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
On paper, the ingredients combine well. Garcia is the polished, sharper operator with better pedigree, but Porter’s relentlessness and tenacity nearly always makes him a handful, even against technically superior foes. Porter has bounced back since the Thurman defeat, breaking Andre Berto and outshining Adrian Granados in 2017. Meanwhile, Garcia re-entered the mix with a statement TKO of Brandon Rios in February.
Porter vs. Garcia: Notable Undercard
- Yordenis Ugas vs. Cesar Barrionuevo | Welterweight
- Adam Kownacki vs. Charles Martin | Heavyweight
- Amanda Serrano vs. Yamila Esther Reynoso | vacant WBO Junior Welterweight Championship
Gennady Golovkin vs. Canelo Alvarez II (HBO PPV)
September 15, Las Vegas, Nevada
Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez are back to do it all again following their original September 2017 fight that ended in a fair yet unsatisfying Draw. The must-see sequel is locked and loaded, and emotions appear to be higher this time around, with seemingly genuine contempt on both sides.
Controversy struck in April when Canelo’s positive Clenbuterol samples sliced deep enough to kill the rematch’s original May 5 date. GGG and Canelo fans – the insane variety – have of course been trading cyber-knockout blows ever since, furiously mashing keyboards and fuelling the fire. Promoters have no complaints.
Personally, I quickly grew tired of hearing about the ‘scandal’. The topic of Canelo’s dietary faux pas is an impossible nut to crack, so, you know, why give ourselves a headache over it? What’s done is done, Golovkin still has his WBA and WBC belts, most of us want to see the rematch, and Canelo is now enrolled with VADA, so let’s just sit back and enjoy this legacy-securing fight.
Lastly, I’ve got to mention another Middleweight meeting on this card: Lemieux-O’Sullivan. That looks like a hell of a fight between two fighters who’d rather slug it out than take a backwards step. 154-pound titlist Jaime Munguia and former Pound-for-Pound favorite Roman Gonzalez are also in action.
Golovkin vs. Canelo: Notable Undercard
- Jaime Munguia vs. Brandon Cook | WBO Junior Middleweight Championship
- David Lemieux vs. Gary O’Sullivan | Middleweight
- Roman Gonzalez vs. Moises Fuentes | Junior Bantamweight
Anthony Joshua vs. Alexander Povetkin (DAZN, Sky Sports Box Office)
September 22, London, England
Depending on whom you ask, Anthony Joshua’s Heavyweight showdown with Alexander Povetkin is either a cash-grabbing gap-filler or a solid scrap with the potential to surprise. Personally, I’m fine with the matchmaking here. If you ask me, Povetkin is a genuine Top 5 contender, is fundamentally sound, can crack, has guts and a hell of a mean streak, and deserves to be here.
Of course, there are many folks who’d disagree with that opinion which is fine – unless the reason is simply because Povetkin’s name isn’t spelt ‘Wilder’. Granted, Joshua-Wilder is the fight we’d all rather see in an ideal world, but for now Povetkin seems like a stern enough challenge. Joshua’s IBF, WBA and WBO titles are on the line at what will no doubt be a packed-to-the-rafters Wembley Stadium.
Joshua vs. Povetkin: Notable Undercard
- Yvan Mendy vs. Luke Campbell II | Lightweight
- Matty Askin vs. Lawrence Okolie | British Cruiserweight Championship
George Groves vs. Callum Smith (ITV Box Office)
September 28, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
George Groves and Callum Smith enter the last stage of the World Boxing Super Series in what looks to be a satisfying chess match of cerebral boxer-punchers. Both guys advanced from the Semis without too much difficulty in February, with Smith outclassing tournament stand-in Nieky Holzken and Groves outboxing countryman and rival Chris Eubank Jr.
On paper, there’s not a lot to dislike, with the only snag being whether Groves’ shoulder injury – picked up versus Eubank – will flare up and become an issue. Groves is probably a slight favourite due to his veteran experience and accomplishments in big events, but the younger, fresher, taller Smith surely cannot be overlooked. Groves’ WBA Super Middleweight belt is on the line.
Victor Ortiz vs. John Molina Jr (Fox Sports 1 / Deportes)
September 30, Ontario, California
We end the Top 5 with a Welterweight affair that isn’t particularly relevant in terms of rankings and star appeal, but could well be an absolute barnburner. Victor Ortiz and John Molina Jr are a couple of all-action veterans who’ve already reached their ceilings and, in all likelihood, have minimal chances of securing future title shots.
But that doesn’t matter. I respect these guys. They’ve been in some compelling wars – who can forget Matthysse-Molina and Ortiz-Berto? – and have been great for modern era boxing. After all, it’s not always about titles, slick boxing masterclasses, Pound for Pound discussion, and unbeaten record obsessing. Sometimes it’s about two offensively minded guys throwing leather without caution, and that’s what this fight screams on the banner.
Boxing in September: Best of the Rest
Ryan Garcia vs. Carlos Morales (Facebook Watch)
September 1, Indio, California; Lightweight
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Felipe Orucuta (HBO)
September 8; Junior Bantamweight
Amir Khan vs. Samuel Vargas (Sky Sports Action)
September 8, Birmingham, England; Welterweight
Takuya Inoue vs. Mark John Yap
September 11, Tokyo, Japan; Bantamweight
Jose Ramirez vs. Antonio Orozco (ESPN / Deportes)
September 14, Fresno, California; WBC Junior Welterweight Championship
Sho Kimura vs. Kosei Tanaka
September 24, Nagoya, Japan; WBO Flyweight Championship
Jose Uzcategui vs. TBA (ESPN+)
September 28, Oakland, California; Light Heavyweight
Jorge Linares vs. Abner Cotto (Facebook Watch)
September 29, Indio, California; Junior Welterweight
Manuel Charr vs. Fres Oquendo
September 29, Cologne, Germany; WBA Heavyweight Championship
What are your early predictions for this September’s Top 5 matchups? Do you see any upsets lurking? Who will secure their boxing legacy in Golovkin-Canelo II? Can Alexander Povetkin make his doubters eat their words with a shock victory over Anthony Joshua? And who wins the WBSS Super Middleweight Final? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
