By Anthony “Zute” George – The weather might be getting frigid, but the boxing action is still heating up. As we look at the boxing schedule for the final month, there is plenty to digest. But how much of it is genuinely appetizing? Dishes worthy of boxing fans’ insatiable appetites? Or do we have a bunch of leftovers from a pot luck dinner not worthy of our attendance? Let us take a look.
Let us dig in:
Keyshawn Davis vs. Juan Carlo Burgos (December 10th on ESPN +)
A match between one of the top prospects in the sport against a solid pro in Burgos is a worthy appetizer. Indeed, Burgos has seen it all. What exactly can he show Davis.
Brandon Glanton vs. David Light (December 2nd on ProBox TV)
If Davis vs. Burgos is not enough of an appetizer, feel free to take a nibble of this Jr. Heavyweight showdown between two top ten fighters. It should be a good one.
Naoya Inoue vs. Paul Butler (December 13th on ESPN +)
A solid pasta course this one is (Yoda voice). Of course, this is not exactly a thrilling, even fight. But much like Mike Tyson, we should watch in awe whenever The Monster fights. Regardless of the opponent. I wonder why he has not caught on with American boxing fans. All should tune in.
Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Roman Gonzalez (December 3rd on DAZN)
This trilogy fight is a mouthwatering main course worthy of anyone’s table. Easily the best fight of the month on paper. I look to see this one end before the final bell this time out.
Michel Rivera vs. Frank Martin (December 17th on Showtime)
Dessert is often the most looked forward to dish. Indeed, a lightweight showdown between Ring Magazine’s 7th and 8th ranked lightweights is as delicious as a brownie A La Mode (all vegan, of course). I really hope this fight happens because it is how it should be done. It is how the Old Man Card wants you to believe things are no longer done. It is a fight we all should be talking about. But hardly anyone is. Why? Boxing fans are not what they used to be. Wink wink.
Undoubtedly, these are fights that will satisfy our hunger for the month. However, these following matchups in December are scraps more suited for the trash can.
Tyson Fury vs. Derek Chisora (December 3rd on ESPN +)
It should not be lost on anyone that two trilogy fights are scheduled on the same date. But the similarities stop there. While Gonzalez vs. Estrada III is a mouthwatering dish, Fury vs. Chisora III is about as useful as more snow in Buffalo. The best we can hope for is this fight not being as bad as I think it will be. Perhaps I am missing something. Do you want to see this? Other than Bob Arum and Top Rank fan boys I cannot see anyone looking forward to this fight. Maybe I am wrong. It would not be the first time.
Teofimo Lopez vs. Sandor Martin (December 10th on ESPN +)
If Lopez vs. Jose Sniper Pedraza was not underwhelming enough, at least it had an outside chance of being a decent fight. Now, we get one of the best talents in boxing against Sandor Martin. Sandor Martin?? I get more excited about rewatching Tequila Sunrise. It is frustrating to see the prime of a fighter’s career as talented as Teofimo Lopez be wasted. Prime years going by the boards with either no activity or against the likes of Sandor Martin. Hopefully, Lopez will take care of business in an impressive fashion and demands nothing but big fights in 2023.
Terence Crawford vs. David Avanesyan (December 10th on PPV)
As disinterested as I am in Lopez vs. Martin, it is what I will be watching on December 10th. I say this because Top Rank’s undercard is exciting, and you could not pay me to watch Crawford vs. Avanesyan. Everything I said about Teofimo Lopez’s career is two-fold for Bud. The Shape Shifter has a chance to be considered one of the best fighters of all time. I certainly need help naming ten fighters more talented than him.
I can name plenty who are just as talented in boxing history, but I am hard-pressed to find many with more talent. However, Bud winds up fighting second-tier guys, at best-Thomas Dulorme, Diery Jean, Felix Diaz, Jeff Horn, or once very good fighters that are on the other side of it-Amir Kahn, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter. In contrast, dream fights against the best out there, fighters who can really put a stamp on Bud’s greatness, never materialize. He could not even secure a Super Fight with Manny Pacquiao! As a result, we have no idea how great he can be against superior competition.
And now he expects us to pay for these kinds of fights.
If you want to spend your hard-earned money during the holiday season on a dish not even worthy of feeding the dog under the table, a salad. Never me.
In short, the December schedule has a lot of promise but should be much better. Way too many scraps packaged as hearty meals. Hopefully, all the fights I think will be delicious pan out, and at least one fight I dubbed as trash proves me wrong. I do not mind being proven wrong.
Make it happen.
Stay tuned…
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