This weekend is lighter in terms of boxing but as always there are fun fights to talk about. We have Jaime Munguia fight on DAZN and the return of Welterweight Champ Keith “One Time” Thurman on FOX. Here is my preview and predictions.

Saturday January 26

Who: Jaime Munguia vs. Takeshi Inoue

Where: Toyota Center, Houston, TX

When: 9:00ET/6:00PT

How: DAZN

Implications: This is another title defense for the 154 lb. Champ Jaime Munguia (31-0, 26 KO’s), after he burst onto the scene last year with 3 fights on HBO. He filled in for Liam Smith and smashed Sadam Ali for the 154 lb. belt.

He is fast, he is powerful, and he is an absolute mainac in the ring. However he has his flaws, and the chief of them is defense. He throws with reckless abandon, leaving himself wide open for counters. 

Since he has incredible power he has had no issues with the competition he has faced so far, but when he faces the Hurd’s, and Charlo’s this could become a problem.

He is only 22 so he has time to work on his overall game and looks like he will be a force of nature in the 154-168 weight class range.  And I mean…..

His opponent on saturday is Takeshi Inoue (13-0, 1 NC, 7 KO’s) (no he is not Naoyas brother) who really has no fights on youtube except for whatever this is. He says he is ready to go, but honestly what do you really want him to say.

This fight seems like they are putting a pig out to slaughter in order to introduce Munguia to the DAZN subscribers. Munguia by KO within 3 rounds in my estimation.

Saturday January 26

Who: Keith Thurman vs. Josesito Lopez

Where: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY

When: 8:00ET/5:00PT

How: FOX

Implications: March 4, 2017 was the last time WBA “super” Welterweight Champion Keith “One Time” Thurman (28-0, 22 KO’s) step into the squared circle for a boxing match. That night he unified the WBC and WBA Welterweight titles by defeating Danny Garcia. At the time he was also a staple on many pundits top ten Pound for Pound lists. Since then Thurman has had “injuries” and vacation time that has caused him to miss 2 years of action in his prime (absurd I know) and force him to relinquish the WBC Belt (you would literally have to die to lose the WBA belt). He has said that he wants a “get back” year of boxing before taking on elite competition, and to that I say no thank you sir.

He needs to get in there with one of the other belt holders right after this fight. Errol Spence, Shawn Porter, Manny Pacquiao or Terence Crawford are the only fights worth entertaining if he gets by Lopez. He is absolutely an electrifying fighter and he needs to remind the boxing world of that.

Josesito Lopez (36-7, 1 NC, 19 KO’s) is a guy who is tough and skilled, but loses every big fight he is in. He has lost to the likes of Canelo, Marcos Maidana, Andre Berto, and Jessie Vargas. I do not believe he will have much resistance for Thurman at this point in his career.

This is a fight where Keith Thurman can box a fighter with a name, but still is very hittable. I am predicting Keith will show us his really good boxing skills, and shake off the ring rust with a big swing somewhere in the middle rounds. Thurman by KO within 8 rounds. One can only hope “One Time” will step up and prove he is the best welterweight in the world soon, or go down trying.

*Undercard Notes

• Heavyweight battle between Adam Kownacki (18-0, 14 KO’s) and Gerald Washington (19-2-1, 12 KO’s) promises to be an absolute slugfest. Kownacki is coming off an absolute war with Charles Martin and is looking like a guy who can compete at the top of the heavyweight rankings. He can box well and has some serious pop. Washington lost to Deontay Wilder for the WBC title and has not made much noise since. He is a former college football player and has gotten by mostly with his power in his boxing career. This fight screams Kownacki by late KO.

I hope everyone enjoys another great boxing weekend!

*As always my pound for pound list can be found here.