Hot Summer Fights

Hello Summer.

While June 20th is considered the first day of summer, a good majority of people recognize memorial weekend as the start of the summer itself. School is out, pools are open, people are flocking to beaches and vacations are all on everyone’s agenda- for the next 100 days or so summer is upon us.

In years past boxing is usually a little quite during the July and August months, however this summer boxing fans should get their DVRs ready because boxing will be in full swing with great fights every weekend throughout the summer all the way until the last weekend in August.

Boxing kicks off the summer with a 4 television fight card on Showtime June 2nd with the main event serving up Antonio Tarver facing up and coming undefeated contender Lateef Kayode. The undercard also has some good fights pairing one time pound for pound candidate Winky Wright facing the always entertaining “kid chocolate” Peter Quillin.

The following week June 9th it the next “big” fight of 2012 will be on display as pound for pound king Manny Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley in a fight that many feel Bradley can win. Other than our very own Edgar Gonzalez. (Losing hope on Timothy Bradley)

June 16th boxing heads to El Paso Texas for a bout between the highly protect Julio Ceaser Chavez Jr vs Kronk trained Emmanuel Stewart one loss fighter Andy Lee. The fight almost had to be relocated as university of Texas officials almost called the fight off due to security concerns however all concerns have been cleared up and El Paso is getting a championship fight.

The same night in New Jersey, Tomasz Adamek will try to make his way back to the heavyweight championship belt as he faces Eddie Chambers in Newark NJ. Adamek has a strong following in New Jersey and this July expects to see a very pro Adamek crowd.

On June 23rd the card was supposed to be Victor Ortiz facing Andre Berto in a rematch of their fight of April 2011, a fight where Ortiz and Berto both tasted the canvas. However a positive drug test by Berto after an already postponed shouder injury and Berto is out. In his place Josesito Lopez, a boxer who had just lost a controversial decision to Jessie Vargas on the Mayweather-Ortiz undercard. While Lopez looks to be the “sacrificial lamb”, Lopez looks to dethrone the former champ and add his name to the 147lb mix.

The final weekend in June HBO boxing will air Cornelius “K9” Bunridge vs Cory Spinks in a rematch from 2010 where Spinks by TKO. The undercard will also showcase Gary Russel Jr against the typical TBA he has seemed to face the last couple fights.

July kicks off in Europe with Wladmir Klitschko facing Tony Thompson. While many expect the fight to be a one sided fight and by all accounts they are probably right.

On HBO later in the day, Nonito Donaire is set to face Jeffery Mathebula. On the undercard hard punching Brandon Rios is scheduled to take on highly competitive Maurico Herrera. While Rios looked average in his last fight at 135lb, Rios hopes to regain his form at 140lb, while Herrera is coming off an exciting fight where he lost to contender Mike Alvarado in an all action bout. It seems as Top Rank is gauging where Rios will land in the 140lb division.

July 14th, in another fight that had to be cancelled due to a positive drug test, Amir Khan is now facing undefeated Danny Garcia. Garcia is coming off his biggest win of his career as he beat Mexican legend Erik Morales this past March. Khan was supposed to face Lamont Peterson in their highly anticipated rematch in May; However a positive drug test by Peterson ended that possibility. Khan is also looking to get his belt back through the courts as it has been discovered that Peterson actually used PEDs before their first fight.

July 23rd boxing returns to Cincinnati,Ohio as highly entertaining Adrien Broner is set to face once highly touted Vicente Escobedo. Broner is setting up to be the next big thing but has yet to face much if any competitive competition. Escobedo may be able to frustrate Broner a bit but in the end, Broners speed should be too much in the bout.

The end of July boxing heads to Northern California as Robert “the ghost” Guerrero fights in his backyard against undefeated European Selcuk Aydin. While much has been discussed about Guerrero’s unselfishness with all he and he family has went through outside of the ring-in the ring his competition has been average at best. While he does have some popular names on his fight record, he has not fought anyone in their prime other than Orlando Salido. What is perplexing is that Guerrero may be the best 135lb fighter in boxing today.

Telefutura has an exciting fight as title holder Celestino Caballeo is set to face undefeated contender Mikey Gacia. Caballero in 2010 was looking to make his mark on the US market however a shocking loss to fringe contender Jason Litzau all but ended his bid. In the last couple years it seems as his skills have diminished a bit but with his 5’11 frame at the featherweight division he will give anyone trouble. Garcia, the younger brother of respected trainer Robert Garcia, the younger Garcia has made quite a name for himself. Garcia has the youth and skill to dominate the aging Caballero. This fight should worth an exciting bout.

The end of July also brings the summer Olympics back. The US boxing team will look to return to the glory of the past, be on the lookout for 3-time Olympian Rau’Shee Warren look to end his medal drought and bring home a medal. This will also mark the first time women’s boxing will be in the Olympics.

The first week of August no major fights are scheduled but then boxing comes back August 11th when Tavoris Cloud will head north to Canada to face ex-champion Jean Pascal for Clouds IBF Light Heavyweight belt.

The final 2 weeks in August showcase Devon Alexander against TBA and Arthur Abraham looking to get back to his winning ways in Europe.

Boxing fans have their plate full with boxing around the country this summer. While these fight may be the bigger fights on the horizon, there are also many other local events around the country. While Vegas and Los Angeles have a few fights, if there is boxing in your backyard, please go and support the local fight card. This summer schedule should show boxing fans that there is plenty of boxing to go around. And most of all have a safe and fun summer!

And then…

While this past week has been a down week in boxing with the tragic loss of Johnny Tapia and the devastating injury to Paul Williams, boxing moves forward as life in general does. While it is hard to not want to move past the Williams injury, boxing is a business and Goldenboy Promotions have sought out James Kirkland possibly as Paul Williams’s replacement to face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. While, Williams was by far the more talented one, Kirkland is a good replacement. Williams would have outworked Alvarez, but Kirkland can actually knockout Alvarez. While many fans will probably go with Alvarez by stoppage because of Kirkland’s questionable chin, do not be surprised if Kirkland is the one who knocks out Alvarez.