MARTIN MURRAY VS. ROBERTO GARCIA
Saturday 23rd June 2018 – O2 Arena, Greenwich, London, UK (ESPN+/ BT)
Boxing’s nearly man when it comes to gaining a world title, Martin Murray has had a stop-start to his preparations due to the cancellation of two world title fights with Billy Joe Saunders in which the latter gave the St Helen’s man the run around before eventually pulling the plug on the whole affair that in-turn left Murray in search of a suitable opponent that would get him another shot at a world title.
In stepped Roberto Garcia and the holder of the WBC Silver Middleweight title, Garcia who is unbeaten since a loss to Antonio Margarito in 2010 is currently on a thirteen fight winning streak with his latest win coming against Omar Chavez in August.
Murray on the other hand as racked up three wins since his title loss to George Groves which spelt his fourth unsuccessful attempt, which is why I earlier alerted to him being Boxing’s nearly man, wins over Nuhu Lawal, Gabriel Rosado and Arman Torosyan has kept him in good stead for what could be a brilliant fight between two of the divisions best contenders.
A win for either man here could potentially spell a shot at a world title with the winner from Canelo or Golovkin.
Elsewhere on the undercard, some of the UK’s best upcoming prospects will feature with Ohara Davies facing Paul Kamanga, Big punching Anthony Yarde given a decent test in Dariusz Sek whilst Heavyweight banger Daniel Dubois faces a tricky affair against Tom Little
JOSH TAYLOR VS. VICTOR POSTOL
Saturday 23rd June 2018 – SSE Hydro, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (Channel 5)
Scotland’s Josh Taylor is one of boxing’s best prospects who since his introduction has put the Super Lightweight division on notice, taking his resume to 11-0 with a stoppage win over Winston Campos in March, only one man has made it to the final bell in a show of force which hasn’t gone unnoticed.
A bad blooded affair ended with the dissection and eventual stoppage of Ohara Davies only to be followed with a careers best performance in the stoppage of former world champion Miguel Vasquez.
This weekend, make no mistake about it, will be given his sternest test in the shape of former world champion Victor Postol. The Ukraine was scheduled to face another of the divisions talents in Regis Prograis earlier this year but due to injury was forced to cancel.
Names on his record such as Hunk Lundy, DeMarcus Corley, Selcuk Aydin plus who could forget his knockout of Lucas Matthysse gives us a fair indication that this should be a great fight between two fighters on the cusp of a world title shot.
MIGUEL BERCHELT VS. JONATHAN VICTOR BARROS
Saturday 23rd June 2018 – Polyforum Zam Ná, Merida, Yucatán, Mexico (ESPN+)
Berchelt will defend his title for the third time on Saturday night against the former world title challenger Jonathan Victor Barros in what should be an all-action contest.
Berchelt lifted the title when he defeated Fernando Vargas in January 2017, since then he has defended his crown by decisioning Takashi Miura and stopping Maxwell Awuku in February.
Barros comes into the bout already having tried to win a world title, unsuccessfully at featherweight against Lee Selby, now at his preferred weight class, he is looking to cause a slight upset.
VERGIL ORTIZ VS. JUAN CARLOS SELGADO
Saturday 23rd June 2018 – Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, CA, USA (ESPN2)
High expectations have been heaped on the 20-year-old shoulders of the red-hot prospect Vergil Ortiz, a record of 9-0 with all coming by way of either knockout or stoppage has added excitement to his growing fan base who will be eager to see another impressive performance this coming weekend. In his way stands former world champion Juan Carlos Salgado, a great measuring stick for any up and coming prospect.
Salgado won the title back in 2009 when he shocked the boxing world with the knockout of Jorge Linares. Since then his career has been up and down with the best years now behind him. He should provide some questions for Ortiz to answer even at this juncture of his career but questions which should be given resounding answers from Ortiz in another fun fight for the fight fans in attendance.
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