We have an amazing weekend of Boxing coming up, with big prospect, big fighters, and of course legends in the ring. There is something for everybody and I cannot wait. Here is my preview of all the action.

Friday July 19

Who: Teofimo Lopez (13-0 11 KO’s)  vs. Masayoshi Nakatani (18-0 12 KO’s)

Where: MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill

When: 10pm EST/7pm PST

How: ESPN+

Implications: Uber Prospect Teofimo Lopez is back on Friday with a chance to continue his rise to stardom.

His opponent on Friday is little known Masayoshi Nakatani, and even though he looks good on paper, this is a stepping stone for Lopez. He is being lined up for IBF Lightweight Champion Richard Commey, and if he wins both of these than of course Top Rank would match him with PFP king Vasyl Lomachenko.

Lopez has that combo right now of power and speed, but he also has the rare quality of charisma and star power. He loves to talk and give interviews, as well as dancing and doing flips after knocking dudes out.

This fight screams 4th round KO for Teofimo Lopez.

Saturday July 20

Who: Dillian Whyte (25-1 18 KO’s)  vs. Oscar Rivas (26-0 18 KO’s)

Where: O2 Arena, London

When: 1pm EST/10am PST

How: DAZN

Implications: This is supposed to be an eliminator to become Deontay Wilder’s mandatory challenger for the WBC Heavyweight Belt. However, the WBC is a joke and has screwed Whyte more than once recently so you really never know what they are going to do. Let’s assume it is an eliminator though and we get to see the continuously improving Dillian Whyte against the slow but powerful Oscar Rivas.

Whyte has just been on a tear since losing to Anthony Joshua in 2015, winning 9 fights in a row including Derek Chisora twice, Lucas Browne, and former champ Joseph Parker. He absolutely deserved a title shot before this fight, and if he wins this there can be no denying it. Oscar Rivas was very little known until he broke through with a 12th round KO against Bryant Jennings in an ESPN main event. Most of that fight though Rivas looked slow and ordinary so I do not know how well he matches up with the methodical Whyte.

Whyte is a beast and can beat you in a boxing match or a brawl, and I think his skills and power will be too much for Rivas. Dillian Whyte by 9th round KO.

Saturday July 20

Who: Caleb Plant (18-0 10 KO’s)  vs. Mike Lee (21-0 11 KO’s)

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

When: 7pm EST/4pm PST

How: FOX

Implications: On FOX before the PPV we have IBF Super Middleweight Champion Caleb Plant defending his title against Mike Lee. Mike Lee is a Chicago guy so I have some hype for him, however this feels like a showcase fight for the new champion. In his last fight Caleb Plant looked great against Jose Uzcategui. He was slick, he was active, and looked like a guy would cause problems against the the big guys in the division.

Lee might come out hot but I think Plant will stick and move and weather the storm, and get a KO in the 6th round.

*Undercard Notes

Efe Ajagba (10-0 9 KO’s) vs. Ali Eren Demirezen (11-0 10 KO’s)

Another Chance here to see Efe Ajagba on a big stage. He is being billed as the next big Heavyweight great, so we will get to see his progress in this fight. I am picking him by 3rd KO.

Saturday July 20

Who: Manny Pacquiao (28-2 25 KO’s)  vs. Keith Thurman (36-8-1 1 NC 22 KO’s)

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

When: 9pm EST/6pm PST

How: FOX PPV

Implications: This is billed as a “unification” of the WBA world title and the WBA regular title. But seeing as the WBA is a joke and Pacquiao, as great as he is, is just not the champ. Keith Thurman is the WBA champ so he is technically making a defense. Thurman has been inactive ever since his huge victory over Danny Garcia. He has only had one fight in two and half years, and that was against gatekeeper Josesito Lopez. Thurman was wobbled in that fight and was made to work a lot harder than expected, leading some to speculate injured have hampered his body. We will see on Saturday if some of his rust has been shaken off.

Manny Pacquiao is one of the greatest fighters in the history of the sport. He has done everything you can ask and has won titles in an astounding 8 weight divisions. Recently he has looked back to form knocking out Lucas Matthysse, and schooling Adrien Broner over 12 rounds. He is 40 but has really yet to look his age, so this has really become a tough fight to call.

I think Thurman obviously has the skills to beat Manny but to me his best days seem to be behind him. I think Manny will be able to be busier than him and win enough rounds to take the decision. Manny Pacquiao on Points.

*Undercard Notes

Amazing undercard here as far as Pay Per Views are concerned.

Yordenis Ugas (23-4 11 KO’s) vs. Omar Figueroa Jr. (28-0-1 19 KOs)

This is a great fight and the first since Ugas lost to Shawn Porter for the title. Figueroa is an intriguing fighter and I am picking him to win a decision.

Sergey Lipinets (15-1 11 KO’s) vs. John Molina Jr. (30-8 24 KO’s)

BANGER ALERT!!

Sergey Lipinets cannot be in a bad fight and Molina always brings it as well. This will probably be the most intense fight of the night. Lipinets by KO in the 8th round.

Luis Nery (29-0 23 KO’s) vs. Juan Carlos Payano (21-2 9 KO’s)

Payano here is a solid fighter, but this is really another chance for the great Luis Nery to continue building his name. He has looked like a bull dozer recently and he should be able to get Payano out of there within 6 rounds.

 

This is going to be an amazing weekend of Boxing and I really hope everyone enjoys!

*My pound for pound lists are below