A pair of heavyweight title fights takes place this Saturday night at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn after a span of 115-years since the last of its kind. In the main event unbeaten WBC champion Deontay Wilder faces Artur Szpilka and in the co-feature Vyacheslav Glazkov meets Charles Martin for a vacant IBF strap. Szpilka has a chance to become the first polish heavyweight in history. If Wilder wins it sets the stage for tremendous 2016 with the likes of Alexander Povetkin and Fury/Klitschko rematch winner waiting in the wings.
Chris Carlson
Andy Lee vs. Billy Joe Saunders: A Traveling Man Tussle in Manchester
This Saturday night live on BoxNation (Showtime Extreme in U.S.) Andy Lee and Billy Joe Saunders take center stage at the Manchester Arena. Lee is the more accomplished fighter with real one-punch knockout power. Saunders is unbeaten and will need to use his skills rather than heart to secure the victory. Both fighters come from traveling backgrounds so the WBO belt comes secondary to pride and heritage.
Quillin vs. Jacobs: Brooklyn’s finest battle at the Barclays
This Saturday night, live on Showtime, Peter Quillin and Daniel Jacobs do battle for Brooklyn bragging rights. Quillin is the more experienced fighter inside the ring and a slight favorite. Daniel’s biggest challenge came outside the ring in his fight against cancer. Whatever friendship created between the two combatants will cease to exist once the bell rings.
Over the last few years Peter Quillin’s carved out a niche for himself in Brooklyn. Unbeaten in 33 bouts, the 32-year old was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan and his family origins come via Cuba. As a young man Quillin followed his dreams on a path to destiny that was nearly sidetracked numerous times.
Klitschko/Fury: Can Tyson walk the talk?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=seBKtWZ4kYY
The faces change but the Klitschko name stays the same in the heavyweight division. Wladimir defends his heavyweight titles against an unbeaten contender in Tyson Fury. Many outside the U.K. assume it will be another day at the office for Wlad. Can Tyson Fury do what hasn’t been done in quite some time? At the very least it will be fun to watch these two giants square off.
Canelo vs. Cotto: A battle for pride and legacy
Miguel Cotto and Saul Alvarez will add to the rich history of the Mexico vs. Puerto Rico rivalry this Saturday night. Canelo is the young lion hungry for a signature victory. Cotto is the vet looking for respect and a chance to add another name to his impressive resume. This sure-fire, two-way matchup will be broadcasted live on HBO PPV at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.
Bradley vs. Rios: Rejuvenated Rios plays spoiler or fabricated hype?
Timothy “Desert Storm” Bradley steps in the ring with “Bam Bam” Brandon Rios Saturday night live on HBO from Las Vegas at the Thomas & Mack Center. The hype or lack of hype heading into fight week is really no surprise. After all Floyd Mayweather just fought in sin city two months ago and in two weeks time the Mandalay Bay hosts Canelo vs. Cotto.
With both men hailing from California it would’ve been a nice fit at The Forum, its original spot. Unfortunately a miscommunication occurred and the end result is a pretty decent scrap in the wrong venue. The fight itself isn’t that great of a matchup at welterweight. A few years back it may have been seen as a showcase. That’s not to say this scribe won’t be excited once the bell rings, it’s just not an event the public demanded.
Crawford vs. Jean: Top Rank marinates Terrence for Pacquiao
Unfortunately, Terrence Crawford’s 2015 is not going the way Top Rank wanted it to and by year’s end it will be considered somewhat of a loss. Sure, Crawford’s bank account gets bigger and there’s nothing wrong with that but his 2014 fighter of the year momentum has all but faded. In the spring, Bob Arum spoke of names such as Lucas Matthysse and Manny Pacquiao as possible opponents in Crawford’s near future.
Golovkin vs. Lemieux: Can David prevent Triple G’s Takeover?
This Saturday night broadcasted live on HBO PPV from New York City, David Lemieux has a second chance to make a lasting impression. Gennady Golovkin is on a mission after Floyd Mayweather’s retirement announcement and David is the only thing standing in his way from a takeover. Ok that and a fight with the winner of Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto. Is this a stylistic dream of a brawl sent from the boxing gods? Or an overhyped mismatch on Pay-Per-View? It’s probably somewhere in between.
Broner vs. Allakhverdiev: Khabib a Fork in the road for Adrien Broner
Adrien Broner faces Khabib Allakhverdiev this Saturday night in Cincinnati, OH at the U.S. Bank Arena. The Showtime broadcast includes rising Puerto Rican talent Jose Pedraza taking on a vet in Edner Cherry. Beyond the obvious issue of a title at stake, the matchup is a solid one for Broner to get well after losing to Shawn Porter in June.
Two boxers fighting for a 140-pound strap both coming off losses isn’t exactly a ringing endorsement. Either way it’s a do or die situation for Broner, who has chosen wisely to keep his mouth shut of late. When he has spoken Broner is saying all the right things in the run-up to this important event. Less is defiantly more for Broner as he prepares for this true crossroads fight.
The problem for Broner has been how he spends his time between bouts outside of training camp. His weight issues have been well documented. If he can get that under control there’s still some promise left at 140.
Matthysse vs. Postol: Will Viktor go Postol on the Machine?
Ok so I fully admit the title to this article was easy pickings. The exact opposite of the opponent Lucas Matthysse will be facing this Saturday on HBO. Unlike the Broner/Allakhvediev bout, this HBO matchup should and will have a championship belt at stake. Will Matthysse get this much needed victory or will Postol outmaneuver Lucas? One thing that’s almost certain is the style in which both men fight producing at the all-action backdrop of the StubHub center.
Both combatants are fighting for pride and a chance to win their first full championship belt. That’s not to say it will decide who is best at junior welterweight. For all the hype about Matthysse’s power surprisingly he has yet to win a full blown title. Meanwhile Viktor Postol found himself lost in the alphabet shuffle having to wait and/or step aside while engaging Danny Garcia in a fight. With Garcia now out of the division a new lineal title will need to be formed.