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Pick It: Cecilia Braekhus vs. Jessica McCaskill (Saturday, DAZN, 8 PM EST)
The short list of the greatest women ever to lace gloves won’t go far without discussion of the current undisputed welterweight queen. Braekhus (36-0, 9 KO) will attempt her 26th successful title defense against McCaskill (8-2, 3 KO) with what could be the biggest fight of her career on the line.
The winner here is expected to face the victor of Katie Taylor-Delfine Persoon II and that’s worth the interest as is the promotional angle of a fighter trying to top Joe Louis’s overall boxing record of 25 straight defenses. One of the best prospects in boxing provides support on the undercard with Jr. middleweight Israil Madrimov (5-0, 5 KO) facing Eric Walker (20-2, 9 KO). Walker has never been stopped.
Additional Show to Watch For
Wednesday – Carrol vs. Hughes (ESPN+, 3 PM EST)
Jono Carrol (18-1-1, 4 KO) has won two straight since losing in a Jr. lightweight title crack to Tevin Farmer in 2019, including a stoppage that sent Scott Quigg into retirement. Now he headlines a mid-week, mid-afternoon show (at least as it airs in the US) against Maxie Hughes (20-5-2, 4 KO) to try to make it three in a row. As a bonus, plenty of undefeated prospects dot the undercard live from Yorkshire.
Friday – Cash vs. Welborn (DAZN, 2 PM EST)
Fight Camp is back with a middleweight main event. Felix Cash (12-0, 8 KO) faces one of the most experienced battlers of his young career in Jason Welborn (24-8, 7 KO). Welborn has been stopped five times so one can assume the expected outcome. Jr. lightweight Zelfa Barrett (23-1, 14 KO) and unbeaten Eric Donovan (12-0, 7 KO) should provide fireworks in support.
Friday – Franco vs. Valdes (Telemundo, 11:35 PM EST)
This one could low key end up being the best action fight of the week. Ricardo Franco (24-3, 21 KO) can crack and he’s only been stopped by the dangerous Johnriel Casimero. Brandon Valdes (12-0, 7 KO) went eight rounds for the first time last out against the best opponent of his career to date. If he’s one to watch, we’ll have an idea against Franco.
Saturday – Frampton vs. Traynor (ESPN+, 2 PM EST)
Former Jr. featherweight and featherweight titlist Carl Frampton (27-2, 15 KO) tries to make it two in a row at Jr. lightweight since a loss to featherweight titlist Josh Warrington. Winning maintains the path to a likely showdown with Jr. lightweight beltholder Jamel Herring. Darren Traynor (16-3, 7 KO) will try to untrack best laid plans. Olympian Michael Conlan (13-0, 7 KO) faces Sofiane Takoucht (35-4-1, 13 KO) in support.
Saturday – TBRB #2 Benavidez vs. Angulo (Showtime, 9 PM EST)
One of the most exciting young fighters in the world resumes his run at super middleweight. David Benavidez (22-0, 19 KO) should be able to look solid against Roamer Angulo (26-1, 22 KO) and continue the build to what should be a showdown someday with PBC stablemate Caleb Plant. A heavyweight scrap between Otto Wallin and Travis Kaufman could be sneaky good TV on the undercard.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at [email protected]