Pick It: TBRB World Champion Artur Beterbiev vs. #5 Marcus Browne (Friday, ESPN+, 8:00 PM EST) - 36-year old light heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev (16-0, 16 KO) makes only his second appearance since a career best win for the lineal crown over Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
With a little different draw, this might be a rematch of 2012 Olympians. 31-year old Marcus Browne (24-1, 16 KO) has won once since a disastrous loss to veteran Jean Pascal. Neither man has had much activity since the pandemic so this could take a moment to warm up but both men can punch and there could be fireworks.
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday – Soro vs. Madrimov (DAZN, 10:00 AM EST)
It’s a quality clash at Jr. middleweight with a WBA eliminator in place, opening a path for the winner to potentially challenge the winner of Jermell Charlo-Brian Castano II. 34-year old Michael Soro (35-2-1, 24 KO) hasn’t fought in two years but he’s lost only once since 2012, and that was close to Castano. 26-year old Israil Madrimov (7-0, 5 KO) is being fast tracked with a significant opponent here.
Friday – Rodriguez vs. Meneses (Estrella, 10:00 PM EST)
Welterweights get the spotlight here. 23-year old Jose Rodriguez (15-2-2, 8 KO) has won eight in a row with his last three by stoppage. 31-year old Alejandro Meneses (14-5, 7 KO) has won two in a row but three of his losses are by stoppage.
Saturday – #8 Parker vs. Chisora (DAZN, 1:00 PM EST)
29-year old former heavyweight titlist Joseph Parker (29-2, 21 KO) came off the floor to eke out a split decision over 37-year old Dereck Chisora (32-11, 23 KO) in May. They resume hostilities here. Parker needs a win that reminds fight fans he still matters at heavyweight. Chisora needs a win as his age pushes him towards the inevitable exit.
Saturday – Berinchyk vs. Chaniev (ESPN+, 1:00 PM EST)
Lightweights get some afternoon streaming time. 33-year old Denys Berinchyk (15-0, 9 KO) is moving through the WBO ranks and has a chance to provide some comparison shopping for fans. 29-year old Isa Chaniev (15-3, 7 KO) is best recalled in the US for a knockout loss to Richard Commey.
Saturday – #3 Ramirez vs. Gonzalez (DAZN, 9:00 PM EST)
30-year old former super middleweight titlist Gilberto Ramirez (42-0, 28 KO) is looking for a title shot at light heavyweight. 36-year old Yunieski Gonzalez (21-3, 17 KO) was out of the ring for three years between 2017-20 but has won three in a row since resuming his career in 2020. Gonzalez’s best night was a controversial decision loss to Jean Pascal in 2015. Can he shock Ramirez on Saturday?
Saturday – Morrell vs. Fox (Fox, 8:00 PM EST)
23-year old David Morrell (5-0, 4 KO) looks like a real future player at super middleweight. Already holding a WBA sub-title in the class, bigger opportunities will come sooner than later if Morrell keeps winning. 29-year old Alantez Fox (28-2-1, 13 KO) has only been stopped once and enters having won two straight.
Saturday – Paul vs. Woodley (Showtime PPV, 9 PM EST)
The highlight of this pay-per-view may come in this undercard clash. 33-year old unified featherweight queen Amanda Serrano (41-1-1, 30 KO) might be on the verge of a showdown at lightweight with champion Katie Taylor. It’s one of the best fights possible in all of boxing. First, Serrano has to get through 38-year old Miriam Gutierrez (14-1, 5 KO). Gutierrez has won a single fight since a loss last year to Taylor.
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]