Boxing Preview 8/24

We finally have some relevant boxing on the calendar for this weekend and I am looking forward to a couple big fights. Here is a preview of the action this Saturday!

Saturday August 24

Who: Sergey Kovalev (33-3-1 28 KO’s) vs. Anthony Yarde (18-0 17 KO’s)

Where: Traktor Arena, Chelyabinsk

When: 12:30pm EST/9:30am PST

How: ESPN+

Implications: This is the first title defense of Sergey Kovalev’s third reign as a Light Heavyweight belt holder. This time he holds the WBO belt after winning his rematch with Eleider Alvarez back in February. He looked great in that bout boxing his way to a decision under new trainer Buddy Mcgirt. His challenger coming to Russia is Anthony Yarde, an untested Puncher who looks the part but will be in for the fight of his life with Kovalev.

I still think after the KO’s he has taken Kovalev needs to put on his dancing shoes here and box his way to a win. Yarde seems like a guy with fight ending power but has not showed an ability to box with the big boys. So if Kovalev sticks to the gameplan I see him winning a wide decision here. But the KO is in play for Yarde.

I feel like Kovalev gets it done here in Russia.

Saturday August 24

Who: Juan Francisco Estrada (39-3 26 KO’s) vs. Dewayne Beamon (16-1-1 11 KO’s)

Where: Centro de Usos Multiples, Hermosillo

When: 7pm EST/4pm PST

How: DAZN

Implications: WBC Super Flyweight Champ Juan Francisco Estrada is defending his belt for the first time after exacting his revenge on PFP great Srisaket Sor Rungvisai. They had another incredible fight in April and now Estrada is the one on Pound for Pound lists and is looking for more big fights. First he has to get by challenger Dewayne Beamon. Beamon is another guy who comes in looking like an easy defense for Estrada, however we have seen that 2019 is the year of the upset.

Estrada is just such a talented boxer and might have an argument as the best pure pugilist in the world, so I see him walking through Beamon. Estrada by wide unanimous decision.