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Pick It: TBRB #4 Junto Nakatani vs. #10 Angel Acosta (Friday, ESPN+, 5:45 PM EST)
This is not a banner week for boxing. Along with the return of a nearly 60-year old Evander Holyfield in an ‘official’ fight , this show features a main event with a fighter who tested positive for a banned (by VADA) substance on the way to the opening bell. Curious fans can tune in to see if that fighter, WBC super featherweight champion
Oscar Valdez, defends against Robinson Conceicao but the best reason to tune in here is for an undercard clash. On paper, the best fight of the weekend comes in the flyweight division as 23-year old WBO titlist Junto Nakatani (21-0, 16 KO) defends against 30-year old former WBO Jr. flyweight titlist Angel Acosta (22-2, 21 KO). Fans can also check out the progress of Jr. lightweight comer Gabriel Flores. Action kicks off early with lots of prelims.
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday – Hrgovic vs. Radonjic (DAZN, 1:55 PM EST)
Afternoon action kicks off the weekend with a touted heavyweight prospect continuing his rise. 29-year old Filip Hrgovic (12-0, 10 KO) enters this scheduled ten round affair never having been past the eighth. 31-year old Marko Radonjic (22-0, 22 KO) will test Hrgovic if his record is as good as it looks. This is easily Radonjic’s best foe on paper so far as a pro.
Friday – Lynn vs. Jahanzeb (YouTube, 2:30 PM EST)
A clash of fledgling featherweights headlines this card, live on the YouTube BT Boxing stream. 25-year old Louie Lynn (9-0, 7 KO) is coming off a win in his first scheduled ten round affair. 25-year old Amin Jahanzeb (8-0, 2 KO) has never been past the sixth.
Friday – Yoka vs. Milas (ESPN+, 2:45 PM EST)
Undefeated heavyweights are apparently the flavor of Friday afternoon. 29-year old 2016 Olympic super heavyweight gold medalist Tony Yoka (10-0, 8 KO) has been to the tenth and twelfth rounds respectively in his last two outings and the rounds will help as the challenges increase. Undefeated Petar Milas (15-0, 11 KO) has a chance to make his name in a solid prospect clash.
Saturday – Lejarraga vs. Charrat (DAZN, 1:30 PM EST)
It’s Jr. welterweight action from Spain on Saturday afternoon. 29-year old Kerman Lejarraga (32-2, 25 KO) has won four in a row since a first round stoppage at the hands of David Avanesyan. Both of Lejarraga’s losses have come by stoppage to Avanesyan, the first in the ninth round. Dylan Charrat (20-0-1, 6 KO) doesn’t appear to carry big pop but he’ll have his chances here to stay on the winning track.
Saturday – Holyfield vs. Belfort (FITE, 7:00 PM EST)
If your idea of fun is watching old MMA stars boxing (Anderson Silva vs. Tito Ortiz) and seeing a 58-year old Evander Holyfield throw leather with former MMA star Vitor Belfort, this is here for $49.99.
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]