New York, NY – Every major cable outlet for televised boxing has stepped this weekend to deliver fight fans a multiplicity of cards. Here’s a quick look at each offering.
ESPN RUNS WITH ZAB JUDAH ON TOP
Come-backing former world champion Zab Judah (38-6, 28 KOs) takes on rough and tough customer Jose Santa Cruz (28-4, 17 KOs) in a scheduled 10 round super welterweight (154) tilt at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, tonight on ESPN2 at 9 PM ET.
DESPITE ACCOLADE, ZAB STILL SEEKS DEFINING MOMENT
Always the competitor, Zab Judah has fought the best of the best over the past ten years. During that span, Zab had moments of grandeur, but has fallen short of victory in his most important fights. As a result, Judah hasn’t held a significant title in years, prompting most “experts” to believe that Zab may have already peaked, and questions loom as to what he has left in the tank. Nonetheless, a defiant Judah continues his quest of proving his once well regarded talents.
CRUZ LOOKING TO GET A NAME
Unknown to even the most “die hard” fan, within the “squared circle”, formidable opponent Jose Cruz has had his fair share of experiences and is a dangerous “kill or be killed” type of action fighter.
SHOBOX JOINS THE PARTY
Showtime’s critically acclaimed series punctuates Friday night with an intriguing main event when undefeated bomber Fernando Guerrero (18-0, 15 KOs) takes on “Contender” season one star Ishe Smith (21-4, 9 KOs) in a middleweight (160) 10 round attraction at the DeSoto Civic Center in Southaven, Mississippi, tonight on Showtime at 11 PM ET.
HBO HAS A POTENTIALLY EXPLOSIVE DOUBLE HEADER
After a month long absence of the sport, boxing surfaces on HBO with a battle of undefeateds when WBO and WBC light welterweight (140) champion Timothy Bradley (25-0, 11 KOs) throws hands with power punching Luis Carlos Abregu (29-0, 23 KOs) at the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California, Saturday on HBO at 9:45 PM ET.
CHAMP ON THE RISE
Two years removed from his impressive title winning effort over Junior Witter (W UD 12), Timothy Bradley has been successfully slugging it out with some of the top dogs in a very talent rich division. A win on Saturday night could pit Bradley in the showdown everyone wants to see against IBF champ Devon Alexander to unify the belts.
LUIS HAS A PUNCHERS CHANCE
Having blasted out 7 of his last 10, Luis Carlos Abregu has been turning the lights out of his (descent) adversity with repetitious regularity. Abregu brings a lot of danger to the dance and will look to “chin check” Bradley in the same stunning fashion in which he has against lesser foe’s in previous encounters.
CURTAIN CALL HAS A BRAWL
Violent brawler Alfredo Angulo (18-1, 15 KOs) will meet vastly experienced and game Joanchim Alcine (32-1, 19 KOs) in a scheduled 12 round light middleweight (154) affair.
INTEGRATED SPORTS BRINGS TUA TO THE MIX
Former title challenger David Tua (51-3-1, 43 KOs) returns once again to stake his claim as a hopeful promise to the doldrums of the heavyweight division. David will meet “put through the ringer far too many times” pug Monte Barrett (34-9, 20 KOs) over 10 rounds or less at the Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Saturday, on PPV at 8 PM ET.
FOX SPORTS THROWS IT OUT THERE TOO
WBO and WBC bantamweight (118) belt holder Fernando Montiel (42-2-2, 32 KOs) squares off against savvy journeyman Rafael Concepion (14-4-1. 8 KOs) in a proposed 12 round title affair from Mexico, Saturday on Fox Sports Net at 10 PM ET.
John Signorella