Terence Crawford remains in ongoing talks with Manny Pacquiao for his next fight, according to reports.
Could it be Manny Pacquiao after all?
ESPN is reporting that Terence Crawford is in talks with his fellow welterweight titleholder from the Philippines for a pay-per-view fight on June 5 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
A source at Top Rank, which handles Crawford, said the negotiations have been ongoing and the sides aren’t near a deal. The Athletic broke the story.
“Discussions have taken place for a very long time,” the source told ESPN. “And while the fight is not yet close to being finalized, if it does take place, Abu Dhabi is the targeted location and June 5 is the targeted date.”
Bob Arum, Top Rank CEO, said recently that he was making a run at Pacquiao and was also in talks with former beltholder Shawn Porter as a second option for Crawford.
And Keith Thurman, who Pacquiao outpointed to win his title in July 2019, also has been rumored to be in the mix of potential opponents for Crawford.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) hasn’t fought since the Thurman fight, which means he would be out of the ring for almost two years if he fights in June. He’s 42.
Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) last fought this past November, when he stopped another former 147-pound titleholder, Kell Brook, in four rounds.
Arum said he will announce the pound-for-pound king’s next bout and other details this week, although reports indicate that word come at a later date.
“There’s going to be an official announcement within the week on Bud Crawford’s next fight,” Arum told Barbershop Conversations over the weekend. “I can’t reveal it now, but it will be a major fight.
“It will be an official announcement of a major pay-per-view event – date, venue, everything. I’m not at liberty to discuss it at this time, but it’s a big deal, and not just any old fight.”
Terence Crawford remains in ongoing talks with Manny Pacquiao for his next fight, according to reports.
Could it be Manny Pacquiao after all?
ESPN is reporting that Terence Crawford is in talks with his fellow welterweight titleholder from the Philippines for a pay-per-view fight on June 5 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
A source at Top Rank, which handles Crawford, said the negotiations have been ongoing and the sides aren’t near a deal. The Athletic broke the story.
“Discussions have taken place for a very long time,” the source told ESPN. “And while the fight is not yet close to being finalized, if it does take place, Abu Dhabi is the targeted location and June 5 is the targeted date.”
Bob Arum, Top Rank CEO, said recently that he was making a run at Pacquiao and was also in talks with former beltholder Shawn Porter as a second option for Crawford.
And Keith Thurman, who Pacquiao outpointed to win his title in July 2019, also has been rumored to be in the mix of potential opponents for Crawford.
Pacquiao (62-7-2, 39 KOs) hasn’t fought since the Thurman fight, which means he would be out of the ring for almost two years if he fights in June. He’s 42.
Crawford (37-0, 28 KOs) last fought this past November, when he stopped another former 147-pound titleholder, Kell Brook, in four rounds.
Arum said he will announce the pound-for-pound king’s next bout and other details this week, although reports indicate that word come at a later date.
“There’s going to be an official announcement within the week on Bud Crawford’s next fight,” Arum told Barbershop Conversations over the weekend. “I can’t reveal it now, but it will be a major fight.
“It will be an official announcement of a major pay-per-view event – date, venue, everything. I’m not at liberty to discuss it at this time, but it’s a big deal, and not just any old fight.”
Manny Pacquiao has been stripped of his welterweight title because of inactivity.
Manny Pacquiao is no longer a welterweight titleholder, at least not the one he had been.
The WBA reportedly has stripped its belt from Pacquiao and designated him “champion in recess” because he hasn’t fought since he outpointed Keith Thurman to win the title in July of 2019, the WBA announced. Pacquiao has no fight scheduled.
Yordenis Ugas, who had been the sanctioning body’s “regular” titleholder – which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize – has been elevated to champion.
The WBA cited a particular rule in making its decision. It reads:
“The WBA, according to its rule C.14, dictates that champions and their teams are required to know the WBA rules and regulations. Rule C.22-24 states that when a champion is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal, or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess. The medical reasons must be documented before the WBA Medical Committee, while the legal reasons must be evidenced before the legal director and the Championships Committee.”
Pacquiao is in talks to face lightweight contender Ryan Garcia this spring but it’s not clear whether the prospective bout would be sanctioned or an exhibition.
Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) is 3-0 since he was outpointed by Shawn Porter in his only genuine title fight in March 2019. The Cuban defeated Abel Ramos by a split decision to win the vacant “regular” belt this past September.
Manny Pacquiao has been stripped of his welterweight title because of inactivity.
Manny Pacquiao is no longer a welterweight titleholder, at least not the one he had been.
The WBA reportedly has stripped its belt from Pacquiao and designated him “champion in recess” because he hasn’t fought since he outpointed Keith Thurman to win the title in July of 2019, the WBA announced. Pacquiao has no fight scheduled.
Yordenis Ugas, who had been the sanctioning body’s “regular” titleholder – which Boxing Junkie doesn’t recognize – has been elevated to champion.
The WBA cited a particular rule in making its decision. It reads:
“The WBA, according to its rule C.14, dictates that champions and their teams are required to know the WBA rules and regulations. Rule C.22-24 states that when a champion is unable to defend the belt for medical, legal, or other reasons beyond his control, he may be named champion in recess. The medical reasons must be documented before the WBA Medical Committee, while the legal reasons must be evidenced before the legal director and the Championships Committee.”
Pacquiao is in talks to face lightweight contender Ryan Garcia this spring but it’s not clear whether the prospective bout would be sanctioned or an exhibition.
Ugas (26-4, 12 KOs) is 3-0 since he was outpointed by Shawn Porter in his only genuine title fight in March 2019. The Cuban defeated Abel Ramos by a split decision to win the vacant “regular” belt this past September.
Danny Garcia calls his bout with Errol Spence Jr. the fight of his life but, with his experience, isn’t fazed by the opportunity.
Danny Garcia speaks of his meeting with Errol Spence Jr. as if it’s the fight of his life. It probably is.
If he wins on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he will have reached the peak of his 13-year career and possibly punched his ticket to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. If he loses, particularly if it’s a clear setback, he might never again receive an opportunity of this magnitude.
“We definitely know what’s at stake. We pushed ourselves to the limit every day,” Garcia said at a news conference Wednesday.
Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) is a 3½-1 underdog, according to BetMGM. He definitely has his work cut out against Spence (26-0, 21 KOs), who seems on paper to have all the physical advantages.
The former two-division titleholder from Philadelphia has only one obvious edge: experience. He has fought on a big stage since the day he climbed into the ring to face Nate Campbell on the 2011 Marcos Maidana-Erik Morales card in Las Vegas.
Danny Garcia covets the title belts held by Errol Spence Jr. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
That fight, which Garcia won by decision, kicked off one of the most impressive runs over the past decade. He fought and beat in order immediately after Campbell: Kendall Holt, Morales, Amir Khan, Morales again, Zab Judah, Mauricio Herrera, Rod Salka, Lamont Peterson, Paulie Malignaggi and Robert Guerrero.
He has fought 13 current or former world titleholders, winning 11 times. And he’s 7-2 in title fights. That includes the first Morales fight in 2012, in which Garcia won the vacant WBC 140-pound title in Houston.
To say he has been there and done that is an understatement. So forgive him if he isn’t fazed by the enormous task at hand.
“This is a big stage, but I’ve been here before,” he said. “I’ve been headlining fights on the championship level for eight years. I’ve always been a top-level fighter.”
Spence seconded that notion.
“Nobody forced me to fight Danny Garcia,” he said. “But I wanted to face someone dangerous who would keep me focused and in the gym training hard. Fighting someone who’s a great fighter like Danny pushes me to another level. That’s the level I’m supposed to be at.”
Garcia (second from right) and Spence speak at a news conference Wednesday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
Of course, we know that Garcia ran into trouble not long after his victory over Guerrero, in which he won the vacant WBC 147-pound title in Los Angeles.
Two fights later, in 2017, he lost a split decision and his belt to Keith Thurman and fell to Shawn Porter by a close unanimous decision for the same title he lost to Thurman, who had vacated it.
Since then, Garcia retreated into the background as rivals like Spence and Manny Pacquiao collected welterweight titles and took center stage. “Swift” has fought only twice in the past two years, stopping Adrian Granados in April of last year and outpointing Ivan Redkach in January.
People had begun to ask, “Have we already seen the best of Danny Garcia?”
Then came Saturday’s matchup. Garcia, hungry for another big opportunity, began calling out Spence about a year ago. And the unified titleholder (IBF and WBC) liked the idea.
Fans would’ve understood had Spence decided to take an easy fight after his horrific car accident in October of last year but, as he said, he wanted to face a big-name opponent to motivate himself.
What better choice than one of the most recognizable and respected fighters in the division, one determined to experience the feeling of having a championship belt wrapped around his waist one more time.
“Boxing is a sport of timing and the time is now,” Garcia said. “I feel great and had a tremendous camp. I did everything I was supposed to do. I just have to go out there Saturday night and do what I do best.
“… This is a great opportunity. There’s no feeling like winning, and winning a world title is the best feeling in the world. I’ve taken it for granted before, but in this world you learn off of your mistakes and become a better person, a better man. That’s why I’m here today.”
Danny Garcia calls his bout with Errol Spence Jr. the fight of his life but, with his experience, isn’t fazed by the opportunity.
Danny Garcia speaks of his meeting with Errol Spence Jr. as if it’s the fight of his life. It probably is.
If he wins on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, he will have reached the peak of his 13-year career and possibly punched his ticket to the International Boxing Hall of Fame. If he loses, particularly if it’s a clear setback, he might never again receive an opportunity of this magnitude.
“We definitely know what’s at stake. We pushed ourselves to the limit every day,” Garcia said at a news conference Wednesday.
Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) is a 3½-1 underdog, according to BetMGM. He definitely has his work cut out against Spence (26-0, 21 KOs), who seems on paper to have all the physical advantages.
The former two-division titleholder from Philadelphia has only one obvious edge: experience. He has fought on a big stage since the day he climbed into the ring to face Nate Campbell on the 2011 Marcos Maidana-Erik Morales card in Las Vegas.
Danny Garcia covets the title belts held by Errol Spence Jr. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
That fight, which Garcia won by decision, kicked off one of the most impressive runs over the past decade. He fought and beat in order immediately after Campbell: Kendall Holt, Morales, Amir Khan, Morales again, Zab Judah, Mauricio Herrera, Rod Salka, Lamont Peterson, Paulie Malignaggi and Robert Guerrero.
He has fought 13 current or former world titleholders, winning 11 times. And he’s 7-2 in title fights. That includes the first Morales fight in 2012, in which Garcia won the vacant WBC 140-pound title in Houston.
To say he has been there and done that is an understatement. So forgive him if he isn’t fazed by the enormous task at hand.
“This is a big stage, but I’ve been here before,” he said. “I’ve been headlining fights on the championship level for eight years. I’ve always been a top-level fighter.”
Spence seconded that notion.
“Nobody forced me to fight Danny Garcia,” he said. “But I wanted to face someone dangerous who would keep me focused and in the gym training hard. Fighting someone who’s a great fighter like Danny pushes me to another level. That’s the level I’m supposed to be at.”
Garcia (second from right) and Spence speak at a news conference Wednesday. Ryan Hafey / Premier Boxing Champions
Of course, we know that Garcia ran into trouble not long after his victory over Guerrero, in which he won the vacant WBC 147-pound title in Los Angeles.
Two fights later, in 2017, he lost a split decision and his belt to Keith Thurman and fell to Shawn Porter by a close unanimous decision for the same title he lost to Thurman, who had vacated it.
Since then, Garcia retreated into the background as rivals like Spence and Manny Pacquiao collected welterweight titles and took center stage. “Swift” has fought only twice in the past two years, stopping Adrian Granados in April of last year and outpointing Ivan Redkach in January.
People had begun to ask, “Have we already seen the best of Danny Garcia?”
Then came Saturday’s matchup. Garcia, hungry for another big opportunity, began calling out Spence about a year ago. And the unified titleholder (IBF and WBC) liked the idea.
Fans would’ve understood had Spence decided to take an easy fight after his horrific car accident in October of last year but, as he said, he wanted to face a big-name opponent to motivate himself.
What better choice than one of the most recognizable and respected fighters in the division, one determined to experience the feeling of having a championship belt wrapped around his waist one more time.
“Boxing is a sport of timing and the time is now,” Garcia said. “I feel great and had a tremendous camp. I did everything I was supposed to do. I just have to go out there Saturday night and do what I do best.
“… This is a great opportunity. There’s no feeling like winning, and winning a world title is the best feeling in the world. I’ve taken it for granted before, but in this world you learn off of your mistakes and become a better person, a better man. That’s why I’m here today.”
Five questions going into Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. is behind us. Now it’s time for a real fight.
Errol Spence Jr. will defend his welterweight titles against Danny Garcia on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The fight will be televised on pay-per-view.
The matchup is compelling. Spence, No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, will be fighting for the first time since a terrible car accident in October of last year.
And Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) certainly didn’t select a pushover in his comeback fight. Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) is a former two-division titleholder with the all-around ability and experience to give anyone in his division big trouble.
Here are five questions going into the fight:
No. 1
Has Spence fully recovered from his car accident in October of last year?
Spence is lucky to be alive. The champion rolled his speeding Ferrari and was thrown through the windshield in the early morning hours on Oct. 10 in his hometown of Dallas. Somehow, miraculously, he reportedly emerged with only minor injuries. Doctors soon gave him permission to resume training and he worked his way into full-contact sparring as he prepares to face Garcia. He says he feels fine. Derrick James, his trainer, says he’s performing as he did before the accident. We’ll take their word for it but we have to wonder: How can we be sure that he didn’t suffer some sort of long-term damage? We’ll never know the answer that question unless we see something that provides a clue in this fight or others. Only one thing seems certain: It will be interesting for us to see whether he looks like the same fighter.
No. 2
Was Spence wise to forgo a tune-up fight?
We’ll see. No one would’ve blamed Spence if he decided to face a second- or even third-level opponent to test his body after his accident 14 months ago. That would’ve made sense. However, that’s not Spence. One, he’ll make more money against an elite opponent, Two, he wanted a big fight to motivate himself in training. Garcia serves that purpose. And, three, Spence sees himself as the best fighter pound-for-pound in the world. The only way to demonstrate that is to fight and beat other top boxers. If Spence wins, especially if he wins convincingly, he will have made a smart decision to go directly into a big fight. If he loses, people will suggest that he should’ve eased back into boxing. The odds – 3½-1 in favor of Spence, according to BetMGM – say that he made the right move.
No. 3
What makes Spence so good?
His versatility. Everyone was touting Mike Garcia’s special skill set before he fought Spence in March of last year so Spence decided to outbox him. Shawn Porter is known as a strong, suffocating brawler so Spence decided to outslug him when they met six months after the Mikey Garcia fight. The point is that Spence can beat you in many ways, including at your own game. He can box, he can bang, he can punch (81% knockout ratio) and he is durable. He took considerable punishment against Porter but was never hurt or fazed. On top of all that, his keen boxing acumen allows him to adapt in the ring. And, finally, he is supremely confident. He has called out Canelo Alvarez, for crying out loud. That sort of self-belief cannot be underestimated. In short, Spence might be the most-complete boxer in the world.
No. 4
Is Garcia a legitimate threat to Spence?
Absolutely. “Swift” is one of the most-accomplished fighters in the business, having won titles in two divisions and taken out long list of elite opponents over his 13-year career. And his only two losses were tight decisions against top-tier foes, Keith Thurman and Porter. Had Garcia won one or two more rounds in those fights he might be undefeated and on every reputable pound-for-pound list. He is probably naturally smaller than Spence, which is at least a slight disadvantage, but he certainly has been successful since moving from 140 pounds to 147. He’s 6-2 as a welterweight, with four knockouts. Spence also probably is quicker than Garcia but his timing and experience in general can compensate for any disadvantage in that department. Don’t be shocked if Garcia manages to pull off what would seem to be a big upset.
No. 5
What’s next for the winner?
Ideally, Terence Crawford. The winner of Spence-Garcia will hold two of the four major welterweight titles, with Crawford and Manny Pacquiao holding the other two. Both Spence and Garcia would target Pacquiao for obvious reasons – the big payday against a relatively minor threat, at least compared to Crawford. From a business standpoint, Pacquiao should be the first choice. However, Crawford is the true challenge, the fight the fans want to see and one that could secure the legacy of whomever faces him. There are other good options. Thurman, Porter, Yordenis Ugas and Vergil Ortiz come to mind. And, again, Spence has actually called out Alvarez. But the winner vs. Crawford is the ultimate matchup. Everyone knows that.
Five questions going into Errol Spence Jr. vs. Danny Garcia on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. is behind us. Now it’s time for a real fight.
Errol Spence Jr. will defend his welterweight titles against Danny Garcia on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, the home of the Dallas Cowboys. The fight will be televised on pay-per-view.
The matchup is compelling. Spence, No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list, will be fighting for the first time since a terrible car accident in October of last year.
And Spence (26-0, 21 KOs) certainly didn’t select a pushover in his comeback fight. Garcia (36-2, 21 KOs) is a former two-division titleholder with the all-around ability and experience to give anyone in his division big trouble.
Here are five questions going into the fight:
No. 1
Has Spence fully recovered from his car accident in October of last year?
Spence is lucky to be alive. The champion rolled his speeding Ferrari and was thrown through the windshield in the early morning hours on Oct. 10 in his hometown of Dallas. Somehow, miraculously, he reportedly emerged with only minor injuries. Doctors soon gave him permission to resume training and he worked his way into full-contact sparring as he prepares to face Garcia. He says he feels fine. Derrick James, his trainer, says he’s performing as he did before the accident. We’ll take their word for it but we have to wonder: How can we be sure that he didn’t suffer some sort of long-term damage? We’ll never know the answer that question unless we see something that provides a clue in this fight or others. Only one thing seems certain: It will be interesting for us to see whether he looks like the same fighter.
No. 2
Was Spence wise to forgo a tune-up fight?
We’ll see. No one would’ve blamed Spence if he decided to face a second- or even third-level opponent to test his body after his accident 14 months ago. That would’ve made sense. However, that’s not Spence. One, he’ll make more money against an elite opponent, Two, he wanted a big fight to motivate himself in training. Garcia serves that purpose. And, three, Spence sees himself as the best fighter pound-for-pound in the world. The only way to demonstrate that is to fight and beat other top boxers. If Spence wins, especially if he wins convincingly, he will have made a smart decision to go directly into a big fight. If he loses, people will suggest that he should’ve eased back into boxing. The odds – 3½-1 in favor of Spence, according to BetMGM – say that he made the right move.
No. 3
What makes Spence so good?
His versatility. Everyone was touting Mike Garcia’s special skill set before he fought Spence in March of last year so Spence decided to outbox him. Shawn Porter is known as a strong, suffocating brawler so Spence decided to outslug him when they met six months after the Mikey Garcia fight. The point is that Spence can beat you in many ways, including at your own game. He can box, he can bang, he can punch (81% knockout ratio) and he is durable. He took considerable punishment against Porter but was never hurt or fazed. On top of all that, his keen boxing acumen allows him to adapt in the ring. And, finally, he is supremely confident. He has called out Canelo Alvarez, for crying out loud. That sort of self-belief cannot be underestimated. In short, Spence might be the most-complete boxer in the world.
No. 4
Is Garcia a legitimate threat to Spence?
Absolutely. “Swift” is one of the most-accomplished fighters in the business, having won titles in two divisions and taken out long list of elite opponents over his 13-year career. And his only two losses were tight decisions against top-tier foes, Keith Thurman and Porter. Had Garcia won one or two more rounds in those fights he might be undefeated and on every reputable pound-for-pound list. He is probably naturally smaller than Spence, which is at least a slight disadvantage, but he certainly has been successful since moving from 140 pounds to 147. He’s 6-2 as a welterweight, with four knockouts. Spence also probably is quicker than Garcia but his timing and experience in general can compensate for any disadvantage in that department. Don’t be shocked if Garcia manages to pull off what would seem to be a big upset.
No. 5
What’s next for the winner?
Ideally, Terence Crawford. The winner of Spence-Garcia will hold two of the four major welterweight titles, with Crawford and Manny Pacquiao holding the other two. Both Spence and Garcia would target Pacquiao for obvious reasons – the big payday against a relatively minor threat, at least compared to Crawford. From a business standpoint, Pacquiao should be the first choice. However, Crawford is the true challenge, the fight the fans want to see and one that could secure the legacy of whomever faces him. There are other good options. Thurman, Porter, Yordenis Ugas and Vergil Ortiz come to mind. And, again, Spence has actually called out Alvarez. But the winner vs. Crawford is the ultimate matchup. Everyone knows that.
Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr. faces Danny Garcia in his first fight since his car accident last year.
FIGHT WEEK
A look at the coming week in capsules
***
JAZZA DICKENS (29-3, 11 KOS)
VS. RYAN WALSH (26-2-2, 12 KOS)
James Dickens (pictured here against Nathaniel May) faces Ryan Walsh on Wednesday. Lewis Storey / Getty Images
When: Wednesday, Dec. 2 Where: Production Park Studios, Wakefield, England TV/Stream: ESPN+ Division: Featherweight (10 rounds) At stake: Golden Contract tournament final Pound-for-poundranking: None Odds: NA Also on the card: Ricards Bolotniks vs. Serge Michel, 10 rounds, light heavyweights (Golden Contract tournament final) Prediction: Walsh SD Background: The fight was supposed to have taken place in September but it was postponed after Walsh tested positive for COVID-19. Dickens, a 29-year-old from Liverpool, England, defeated Leigh Wood by a majority decision in a brutal fight on Feb. 21 to reach the tournament final. He has won seven consecutive fights since he back-to-back setbacks in 2016 and 2017, a technical decision against Thomas Patrick Ward and a second round stoppage against Guillermo Rigondeaux. Dickens suffered a broken jaw in the latter fight. Walsh, 34, defeated Tyrone McCullagh by a wide decision the same night of Dickens’ semifinal. Walsh, from Cromer, England, is a former British featherweight titleholder. He is the twin brother of junior lightweight title challenger Liam Walsh.
Brandon Adams (left) fell short against champion Jermall Charlo in June of last year. Tim Warner / Getty Images
When: Thursday, Dec. 3 Where: Wild Card Boxing Club, Hollywood, Calif. TV/Stream: NBC Sports Net Division: Junior middleweight (10 rounds) At stake: No titles Pound-for-poundranking: None Odds: NA Also on the card: Larry Gomez vs. Brian Ceballo, 10 rounds, welterweights; Mahonri Montes vs. Gor Yeritsyan, 8 rounds, welterweights Prediction: Adams SD Background: This is the second installment of the new Ring City USA boxing series at Freddie Roach’s gym on NBC Sports Network. Adams is coming off a near-shutout loss to titleholder Jermall Charlo in June of last year, meaning he will have been out of the ring 18 months. Adams, a decent boxer, made a name for himself by outpointing Shane Mosley Jr. to win the “Contender” series in November 2018. The Los Angeles fighter is ranked No. 10 at middleweight by the WBC. Duversonne, a late comer to boxing at 27, was also a late replacement for this fight. The 30-year-old Floridian has lost his last two fights, although he was competitive in both. He lost a unanimous decision to unbeaten prospect Lorenzo Simpson but put Simpson down on Oct. 9 and lost a split decision to Chordale Booker on Nov. 4. Duversonne has an 80-inch reach, 10 inches longer than Adams’.
***
BILLY JOE SAUNDERS (29-0, 14 KOS)
VS. MARTIN MURRAY (39-5-1, 17 KOS)
Billy Joe Saunders (right) is coming off a wide decision over Marcelo Esteban Coceres in November of last year. Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images
When: Friday, Dec. 4 Where: London TV/Stream: DAZN Division: Super middleweight (12 rounds) At stake: Saunders’ WBO title Pound-for-poundranking: None Odds: Saunders 17-1 (BetMGM) Also on the card: James Tennyson vs. Josh O’Reilly, 12 rounds, lightweights; Zach Parker vs. Cesar Nunez, 10 rounds, super middleweights Prediction: Saunders UD Background: Saunders was supposed to have faced Canelo Alvarez earlier this year but the fight was canceled because of COVID-19 and Saunders fell out of consideration as a potential opponent for the Mexican star. The slick boxer from the London suburbs last fought in November of last year, when he stopped Marcelo Esteban Coceres in the 11th-round in a surprisingly competitive fight. The former 160-pound titleholder will be making the second defense of his 168-pound belt, which he won by easily outpointing Shefat Isufi in May of last year. Murray, Saunders’ countryman, will be fighting for a major title for the fifth time after failing in his first four attempts. The 38-year-old drew with Felix Sturm in 2011 and lost to Sergio Martinez (UD), Gennadiy Golovkin (TKO 11) and Arthur Abraham (SD). He has beaten two journeyman since losing a majority decision to Hassan N’Dam in December 2018. His last fight was 13 months ago.
***
ERROL SPENCE JR. (26-0, 21 KOS)
VS. DANNY GARCIA (36-2, 21 KOS)
Errol Spence Jr. (right, against Shawn Porter) is No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. AP Photo / Ringo H.W. Chiu
When: Saturday, Dec. 5 Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas TV/Stream: Pay-per-view Division: Welterweight (12 rounds) At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC titles Pound-for-poundranking: Spence No. 5 Odds: Spence 3½-1 (BetMGM) Also on the card: Sebastian Fundora vs. Habib Ahmed, 12 rounds, junior middleweights; Julio Ceja vs. Eduardo Ramirez, 12 rounds, featherweights; Josesito Lopez vs. Francisco Santana 10 rounds, welterweights; Miguel Flores vs. Isaac Avelar, 10 rounds, junior lightweights Prediction: Spence UD Background: Spence, a gifted, versatile boxer-puncher, will be making his fifth title defense in his first fight this year. Last year he shut out the smaller Mikey Garcia in March and defeated Shawn Porter by a split decision in a thrilling back-and-forth brawl in September. The following month he was involved in a horrific one-car accident in which he rolled his Ferrari and was thrown through the windshield. Somehow he suffered only minor injuries and says he’s fine now. Garcia is a former two-division titleholder who has lost only in close fights against elite opponents, Keith Thurman (SD) in 2017 and Porter (UD) the following year. He has defeated Adrian Granados (KO 7) in April of last year and Ivan Redkach (UD) in January since the Porter setback. Garcia is naturally smaller than Spence but is known as an excellent counterpuncher with power and a sturdy chin.
Fight Week: Errol Spence Jr. faces Danny Garcia in his first fight since his car accident last year.
FIGHT WEEK
A look at the coming week in capsules
***
JAZZA DICKENS (29-3, 11 KOS)
VS. RYAN WALSH (26-2-2, 12 KOS)
James Dickens (pictured here against Nathaniel May) faces Ryan Walsh on Wednesday. Lewis Storey / Getty Images
When: Wednesday, Dec. 2 Where: Production Park Studios, Wakefield, England TV/Stream: ESPN+ Division: Featherweight (10 rounds) At stake: Golden Contract tournament final Pound-for-poundranking: None Odds: NA Also on the card: Ricards Bolotniks vs. Serge Michel, 10 rounds, light heavyweights (Golden Contract tournament final) Prediction: Walsh SD Background: The fight was supposed to have taken place in September but it was postponed after Walsh tested positive for COVID-19. Dickens, a 29-year-old from Liverpool, England, defeated Leigh Wood by a majority decision in a brutal fight on Feb. 21 to reach the tournament final. He has won seven consecutive fights since he back-to-back setbacks in 2016 and 2017, a technical decision against Thomas Patrick Ward and a second round stoppage against Guillermo Rigondeaux. Dickens suffered a broken jaw in the latter fight. Walsh, 34, defeated Tyrone McCullagh by a wide decision the same night of Dickens’ semifinal. Walsh, from Cromer, England, is a former British featherweight titleholder. He is the twin brother of junior lightweight title challenger Liam Walsh.
Brandon Adams (left) fell short against champion Jermall Charlo in June of last year. Tim Warner / Getty Images
When: Thursday, Dec. 3 Where: Wild Card Boxing Club, Hollywood, Calif. TV/Stream: NBC Sports Net Division: Junior middleweight (10 rounds) At stake: No titles Pound-for-poundranking: None Odds: NA Also on the card: Larry Gomez vs. Brian Ceballo, 10 rounds, welterweights; Mahonri Montes vs. Gor Yeritsyan, 8 rounds, welterweights Prediction: Adams SD Background: This is the second installment of the new Ring City USA boxing series at Freddie Roach’s gym on NBC Sports Network. Adams is coming off a near-shutout loss to titleholder Jermall Charlo in June of last year, meaning he will have been out of the ring 18 months. Adams, a decent boxer, made a name for himself by outpointing Shane Mosley Jr. to win the “Contender” series in November 2018. The Los Angeles fighter is ranked No. 10 at middleweight by the WBC. Duversonne, a late comer to boxing at 27, was also a late replacement for this fight. The 30-year-old Floridian has lost his last two fights, although he was competitive in both. He lost a unanimous decision to unbeaten prospect Lorenzo Simpson but put Simpson down on Oct. 9 and lost a split decision to Chordale Booker on Nov. 4. Duversonne has an 80-inch reach, 10 inches longer than Adams’.
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BILLY JOE SAUNDERS (29-0, 14 KOS)
VS. MARTIN MURRAY (39-5-1, 17 KOS)
Billy Joe Saunders (right) is coming off a wide decision over Marcelo Esteban Coceres in November of last year. Jayne Kamin-Oncea / Getty Images
When: Friday, Dec. 4 Where: London TV/Stream: DAZN Division: Super middleweight (12 rounds) At stake: Saunders’ WBO title Pound-for-poundranking: None Odds: Saunders 17-1 (BetMGM) Also on the card: James Tennyson vs. Josh O’Reilly, 12 rounds, lightweights; Zach Parker vs. Cesar Nunez, 10 rounds, super middleweights Prediction: Saunders UD Background: Saunders was supposed to have faced Canelo Alvarez earlier this year but the fight was canceled because of COVID-19 and Saunders fell out of consideration as a potential opponent for the Mexican star. The slick boxer from the London suburbs last fought in November of last year, when he stopped Marcelo Esteban Coceres in the 11th-round in a surprisingly competitive fight. The former 160-pound titleholder will be making the second defense of his 168-pound belt, which he won by easily outpointing Shefat Isufi in May of last year. Murray, Saunders’ countryman, will be fighting for a major title for the fifth time after failing in his first four attempts. The 38-year-old drew with Felix Sturm in 2011 and lost to Sergio Martinez (UD), Gennadiy Golovkin (TKO 11) and Arthur Abraham (SD). He has beaten two journeyman since losing a majority decision to Hassan N’Dam in December 2018. His last fight was 13 months ago.
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ERROL SPENCE JR. (26-0, 21 KOS)
VS. DANNY GARCIA (36-2, 21 KOS)
Errol Spence Jr. (right, against Shawn Porter) is No. 5 on Boxing Junkie’s pound-for-pound list. AP Photo / Ringo H.W. Chiu
When: Saturday, Dec. 5 Where: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas TV/Stream: Pay-per-view Division: Welterweight (12 rounds) At stake: Spence’s IBF and WBC titles Pound-for-poundranking: Spence No. 5 Odds: Spence 3½-1 (BetMGM) Also on the card: Sebastian Fundora vs. Habib Ahmed, 12 rounds, junior middleweights; Julio Ceja vs. Eduardo Ramirez, 12 rounds, featherweights; Josesito Lopez vs. Francisco Santana 10 rounds, welterweights; Miguel Flores vs. Isaac Avelar, 10 rounds, junior lightweights Prediction: Spence UD Background: Spence, a gifted, versatile boxer-puncher, will be making his fifth title defense in his first fight this year. Last year he shut out the smaller Mikey Garcia in March and defeated Shawn Porter by a split decision in a thrilling back-and-forth brawl in September. The following month he was involved in a horrific one-car accident in which he rolled his Ferrari and was thrown through the windshield. Somehow he suffered only minor injuries and says he’s fine now. Garcia is a former two-division titleholder who has lost only in close fights against elite opponents, Keith Thurman (SD) in 2017 and Porter (UD) the following year. He has defeated Adrian Granados (KO 7) in April of last year and Ivan Redkach (UD) in January since the Porter setback. Garcia is naturally smaller than Spence but is known as an excellent counterpuncher with power and a sturdy chin.
