Wainwright weighs-in on the best upcoming fights (February 24-March 30)

The Oleksandr Usyk-Tyson Fury struggle was speculated to happen on Saturday earlier than Fury was minimize in sparring and the struggle was postponed.

It was a serious buzzkill however fortunately the battle for undisputed obtained rescheduled rapidly for Might 18.

Nonetheless, it left us a bit of gentle within the schedule division. So, I took a have a look at what’s arising over the subsequent month or so and I current to you right here the playing cards and bouts which have whetted my urge for food.

Left to proper: Kosei Tanaka, Takuma Inoue, Junto Nakatani, and Riku Masuda. Picture by Naoki Fukuda

Feb. 24, Ryogoku Kogugikan (Sumo Enviornment), Tokyo:
A wonderful card that includes three world title fights with enormous ramifications at bantamweight and junior bantamweight.

Alexandro Santiago vs. Junto Nakatani (The Ring’s No. 3-rated bantamweight vs. the No. 3-rated junior bantamweight)
This might effectively be every man’s proving floor. Santiago, a younger veteran who claimed a world title on the second time of asking final summer season, is aware of if he can upset the touted Nakatani that he’ll obtain a number of kudos and place himself for extra large fights. Whereas Nakatani, who has gained world titles at 112 and 115, bids so as to add a title in a 3rd weight class and is sort of presumably headed for stardom. A transparent winner would put forth a wonderful case to be acknowledged because the premier bantamweight on the earth.

Prediction: Nakatani UD

Takuma Inoue (No. 8 at bantamweight) vs. Jerwin Ancajas
Inoue is essentially in his older brother Naoya’s appreciable shadow, however he was capable of win the WBA bantamweight final yr. He places it on the road for the primary time after harm compelled a postponement final fall. In Ancajas, he faces a former world beltholder at junior bantamweight, who tallied 9 defenses, together with a draw with Santiago however had points with weight en path to twice shedding to Fernando Martinez (UD 12/ UD 12). That noticed him transfer up at 118 kilos. If Inoue is to attempt to emerge from his brother’s shadow, he must win this one and if Ancajas is to stay as a participant within the higher echelons he can ill-afford a defeat right here.

Prediction: Inoue UD

Kosei Tanaka (No. 5 at junior bantamweight) vs. Christian Bacasegua
Tanaka shall be seeking to change into a four-weight world titleholder having come up brief towards the good Kazuto Ioka (TKO 8) in December 2020. He’s rebounded with 4 wins whereas ready for his alternative. It comes towards a largely unknown Mexican. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old Mexicali native is driving a nine-fight win streak since he final misplaced in September 2019. That is nonetheless a giant leap at school for him on away terrain.

Prediction: Tanaka TKO 8

Luis Alberto Lopez, right here celebrating his fifth-round knockout of Michael Conlan, returns to defend his IBF featherweight title on March 2. (Picture by Conlan Boxing).

March 2, Turning Stone Resort & On line casino, Verona, New York:
High Rank are deeply invested the featherweight division selling the likes of WBO titlist Rafael Espinoza, Robeisy Ramirez and Ring Prospect of The Yr Bruce Carrington and their providing is a pair of featherweight title fights and an Intriguing wanting welterweight conflict.

Luis Alberto Lopez vs. Reiya Abe (No. 2 vs. No. 5 featherweights)
Lopez places his IBF title on the road towards his necessary Abe. Venado has come into his personal since profitable the title in Josh Warrington’s (MD 12) hometown after which eviscerating Michael Conlan (TKO 5) additionally in his opponent’s yard after which displaying toughness to beat Joet Gonzalez (UD 12). In the meantime, Abe, 30, has gone about his enterprise in Japan, profitable the nation nationwide title and, most not too long ago, displaying he can compete at world stage by dominating hard-charging however admittedly pale former two-weight world champion Kiko Martinez. Though Venado is clearly favored and is a large betting favourite (1/7 +700) it figures to be an absorbing contest.

Prediction: Lopez UD 12

Otabek Kholmatov vs. Raymond Ford
Kholmatov entered the featherweight title image when he beat up Thomas Patrick Ward (TKO 5) in March 2023. Since then, the heavy-handed Uzbek has needed to be affected person. Whereas Ford is a southpaw slickster and will make for an attention-grabbing fashion match up. Ford was a gifted newbie and after a sluggish begin to the skilled aspect of the game he’s discovered his means besting unbeaten pair Edward Vazquez (SD 10), Ricard Medina (UD 10) and profitable a lopsided determination over former junior featherweight titlist Diego Magdaleno (UD12). Will Kholmatov be too robust or Ford too expert?

Prediction: Kholmatov TKO 10

Brian Norman vs. Janelson Bocachica
Norman labored his means up usually preventing in Mexico away from the brilliant lights. Extra not too long ago the unbeaten 23-year-old dominated Quinton Randall (UD 10) in a battle of unbeaten fighters. Within the different nook, the once-promising Bocachica gained his first 17 fights earlier than drawing with Shinard Bunch (D 10). He has suffered back-to-back loses to Roiman Villa (UD 8) and Alberto Palmetta (UD 10). It’s one other essential step for Norman, whereas the Detroit native’s profession is on the road if he isn’t to slide into the position of journeyman.

Prediction: Norman UD 10

Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou. Picture by Mark Robinson / Matchroom Boxing

March 8, Kingdom Enviornment, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:
This would be the third present from Saudi Arabia. Will probably be topped by Anthony Joshua-Francis Ngannou, which ought to get loads of consideration in addition to a heavyweight showdown with future world title implications and an featherweight title struggle.

Anthony Joshua (No. 2 heavyweight) vs. Francis Ngannou
Joshua pieced his profession along with three wins in 2023. Nonetheless, he’s ready to face his countryman Fury, if victorious towards Usyk, in what can be a mega struggle. With that in thoughts, he determined to tackle the person, who dropped and ran Fury shut final fall. Will probably be Ngannou’s second foray into skilled boxing. It figures to be attention-grabbing for the primary three-rounds and if Ngannou can land one thing important it might change into significantly attention-grabbing. Nonetheless, it additionally presents Joshua with the chance to ship a message to Fury and the remainder of the heavyweight division if he placed on a spectacular efficiency.

Prediction: Joshua TKO 7

Zhilei Zhang vs. Joseph Parker (No. 3 vs. No. 4)
It took Zhang over a decade to get a struggle of word after which he gave Filip Hrgovic all he might deal with shedding a controversial 12-round unanimous determination. That affirmed that the massive Chinese language southpaw belonged after which he twice took out the hard-charging Joe Joyce (TKO 6/ KO 3). He’s needed to watch from the sidelines as his fellow heavyweights struggle in Saudi. Now he has his likelihood. Within the reverse nook shall be Parker, who seemed to be on the draw back after being stopped by Joyce (KO 11) in a warfare. To his credit score, he rebounded with 4 wins final yr, together with a dominant determination over Deontay Wilder (UD 12). These wins helped earn Parker The Ring’s 2023 Comeback of The Yr award. Parker isn’t resting on his laurels and can look to double down on his momentum in what guarantees to be a enjoyable struggle.

Prediction: Zhang KO 8

Rey Vargas (No. 3 featherweight) vs. Nick Ball
Vargas claimed the WBC junior featherweight in England and made 5 defenses within the U.S., notably outboxing Azat Hovhannisyan (UD 12) and Tomoki Kameda (UD 12). The Mexican spent over two years with out preventing as a result of a fractured foot after which Covid. He confirmed his class in besting Mark Magsayo (SD 12) to annex the WBC featherweight title. The chance got here to change into a three-weight world champion when he moved as much as junior light-weight however misplaced for the primary time in his profession to O’Shaquie Foster (UD 12). In the meantime the all-action Ball has improved as he’s progressed and earnt his necessary shot at Vargas by beating Ludumo Lamati (TKO 12) and Isaac Dogboe (UD 12). One other attention-grabbing fashion match up, between the tall, unorthodox champion and the relentless stress of the small Brit. Might this be about timing for Ball, who has been energetic and improved, whereas Vargas has grown older and never fought in over a yr.

Prediction: Ball MD 12

March 16, The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas:
Golden Boy and Lou DiBella are working collectively for an IBF/ WBA light-weight title eliminator that may have enormous implications within the division.

William Zepeda vs. Maxi Hughes (No. 5 vs. No. 9 lightweights)
Zepeda gained his first 22 fights in Mexico. After signing with Golden Boy, the opposition turned extra sturdy however so did the assertion wins. Zepeda fights at a 100 miles an hour and hits onerous; he’s been a nightmare for all he’s confronted and there’s a clambering for him to face one of the best at light-weight. He’s inching his means in the direction of them however is the kind of fighter who must change into a compulsory challenger. The excellent news that is an IBF/ WBA eliminator. His opponent is the powerful luck Hughes, whose early profession didn’t seem like he’d quantity to a lot. Nonetheless, he was capable of hold plugging away and reel seven large wins which turned his profession round. The 33-year-old felt unfortunate towards George Kambosos Jr. final summer season and is decided to not simply come to Las Vegas to see the sights.

Prediction: Zepeda TKO 9

March 23 Sheffield Enviornment, Sheffield, England:
A step-up struggle for Smith, who shall be preventing a pale former three-time world title challenger, in his homecoming. A win would solidify his place at 140-pounds.

Dalton Smith vs. Jose Zepeda
Smith was an excellent newbie, who was on Group GB. His early skilled profession was one thing of a sluggish burn till the 27-year-old gained British and Commonwealth titles. He needs so as to add the European title by going through home rival Adam Azim however first he’s elected to get some worldwide seasoning towards the Mexican-American veteran. Zepeda is coming off loses to Regis Prograis (KO 11) in a WBC title shot and, most not too long ago, Richardson Hitchins (UD 12). The 34-year-old sharpshooter’s profession on the highest stage is on the road on this crossroads struggle.

Prediction: Smith UD 12

March 29, Desert Diamond Enviornment, Glendale, Arizona:
A can’t miss all-action struggle between two former Emanuel Navarrete opponents seeking to get one other world title shot, together with the rising Muratalla.

Oscar Valdez (No. 7 junior lightweight) vs. Liam Wilson
Since Valdez turned skilled over a decade in the past, he’s repeatedly thrilled us with thrilling, blood and guts fights. That’s to not say he has achieved loads, he’s a two-weight world champion. He was attempting to regain a model of the junior light-weight title final yr however was crushed by Emanuel Navarrete. In that loss it appeared as if the proud Mexican had maybe misplaced a bit of of his quick ball. How a lot does he have left at this level? Wilson figures to assist us discover out. His coming of age second got here towards the aforementioned Navarrete, who he dropped and have greater than he share of moments earlier than succumbing in nine-rounds. He’s returned to the winners circle with a pair of wins since however not thrilled. This looks as if a bout the place the winner will keep related and the loser, if it’s not shut, will drift away.

Prediction: Valdez TKO 9

Raymond Muratalla (No. 7 lightweight) vs. Agustin Quintana
Muratalla gained two fights and tremendously impressed in his 2023 marketing campaign, breaking by from prospect to contender. Quintana is essentially unknown outdoors his native Argentina. Nonetheless, he has gained the South American title however shouldn’t current too many points for Muratalla, who’s zeroing in on a world title shot later this yr/ early 2025. What could also be attention-grabbing is how Muratalla appears to be like and the way he will get the job achieved.

Prediction: Muratalla KO 5

March 30, T-Cell Enviornment, Las Vegas:
PBC kick off their Prime cope with a Pay-Per-View providing in Sin Metropolis.

Tim Tszyu (No. 1 junior middleweight) vs. Keith Thurman
Tszyu had been lined as much as face then undisputed champion Jermell Charlo in January 2023. ‘Mell was injured the struggle was postponed and later cancelled. Tszyu didn’t lick his wounds, he sought out the hardest out there challenges and confirmed a number of enchancment by stopping Tony Harrison (TKO 9), Carlos Ocampo (KO 1) and Brian Mendoza (UD 12). Now it’s time for Kostya Tszyu’s oldest son to return stateside and face the most important identify he’s confronted but. The large query is what does Thurman have left at this juncture? He’s fought simply 5 occasions since 2015. His final struggle was 25-months in the past, that is his first at junior middleweight and he’s now 35. It’s a tricky ask but when he can discover his rhyme possibly he could cause Tszyu a number of issues?

Prediction: Tszyu TKO 10

Rolando Romero vs. Isaac Cruz (No. 3 lightweight)
Is Rolly’s bark worse than his chunk? It appeared like when he stepped up towards Gervonta Davis, who inflicted a lone defeat. He was down on the scorecards and given a serving to hand by Tony Weeks, who erroneously stopped Ismael Barroso within the ninth-round final yr. Now, he’ll face “Pitbull” Cruz, who’s leaping from 135-pounds to 140-pounds. Romero is bound to make for a vigorous press convention in the course of the week however shall be again it up towards the uber aggressive Cruz?

Prediction: Cruz KO 6

Sebastian Fundora vs. Serhii Bohachuk (No. 3 vs. No. 10 junior middleweights)
If there’s a can’t miss struggle on this listing, right here it’s. Each guys solely no a technique and have glorious energy however have proven their very own vulnerabilities getting stopped in fights they had been dominating. This appears to be like like a shootout, don’t blink.

Prediction: Fundora KO 4

The Shigeoka brothers (Gingiro on the left, Yudai on the fitting) are again (in black) on March 31 to make the primary defenses of their 105-pound world titles.

March 31, Worldwide Convention Corridor, Nagoya:
A world title eliminator (Tomoki Kameda-Loreto Dlamini), two-world title fights and the start of the eight-man middleweight event.

Yudai Shigeoka vs. Melvin Jerusalem (No. 2 vs. No. 6 strawweights)
The elder of the 2 brothers, Yudai, will put his WBC belt on the road towards Jerusalem, who beforehand held the WBO title. The rising star figures to be too good for the Filipino challenger however this wont be a simple struggle.

Prediction: Shigeoka UD 12

Ginjiro Shigeoka (No. 3 strawweight) vs. ArAr Andales
The uber gifted Ginjiro may even make the primary protection of his IBF title towards former world title challenger. The diminutive southpaw has impressed all since turning skilled in 2018. This appears to be like to be the subsequent step as he notches up title defenses and probably appears to be like to unify in boxing’s smallest weight class.

Prediction: Shigeoka TKO 7

O2 Enviornment, London:
A match up of unbeaten heavyweights, who’ve a bit of needle between them and know in the event that they’re to step up from home stage they need to win.

Fabio Wardley vs. Frazer Clarke
Wardley is a late developer however has made up for misplaced time by stopping former world title challenger Eric Molina (KO 5) after which profitable the British title by stopping Nathan Gorman (TKO 3). He continued to impress by stopping powerful American Michael Well mannered Coffie (TKO 4) after which added the Commonwealth title to his rising listing of {hardware} by taking the unbeaten report of David Adeleye (TKO 7). In the meantime, Clarke, 32, was a standout newbie, who claimed bronze on the 2020 Olympics. He’s gone about his enterprise beating European stalwarts Bodgan Dinu (RTD 2), Mariusz Wach (UD 10) and, most not too long ago, Dave Allen (RTD 6). These two have circled one another and now will settle their distinction in the principle occasion of what guarantees to be an thrilling struggle that probably ends inside the space.

Prediction: Clarke TKO 8

Questions and/or feedback will be despatched to Anson at [email protected] and you may comply with him on
Twitter@AnsonWainwright

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Naoya Inoue is the primary Japanese boxer to win The Ring’s Fighter-of-the-Yr honor within the publication’s 95-year historical past of the celebrated award.