New York, NY– One week removed from the first absent televised boxing weekend in months, the sport returns with a bang and delivers four major televised bout within a two day span. First, let’s delve into the featured bouts of the weekend.
HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH OF INTRIGUE
IBF and WBO unified world heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitischko (54-3, 48 KOs) will meet former title challenger Samuel Peter (34-2, 27 KOs) in a rematch of their epic and controversial 2005 bout, scheduled for 12 rounds or less at the Commerzbank Arena in Frankfurt, Germany, Saturday on ESPN at 5 PM ET.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT, DOIN’ IT AGAIN
In a savage fight that saw Wladimir hit the deck three times, both combatants fought on even ground at a feverish pace for big men through out the contest. Despite the aforementioned knockdowns administered to Klitiscko, Wladimir balanced the fury with sound boxing, enabling him to steal the fight by way of round to round scoring (W UD 12). Since their encounter, Klitischko has gone 9-0 with 8 whacks, virtually shutting out all comers with relative ease. Since 2005, Sam has tallied up a respectful, but not so lucrative record of 10-2 , 6 KOs. During that span, Peter suffered a one sided knockout loss against Wlad’s older brother Vitali (L TKO 8).
FINALLY, B.A.D. LOOKS LIKE BOXING AFTER DARK
In tribute to the franchises once storied battles of brilliance, a potential card surfaces when power punching WBA featherweight (126) belt holder Yuriorkis Gamboa (18-0, 15 KOs) squares off against seasoned veteran IBF strap carrier Orlando Salido (34-10-2, 22 KOs) in a 12 round title-unifying showdown. The under card features a battle of undefeated lightweight (135) pugs when skillful craftsmen Anthony Peterson (30-0, 20KOs) throws hands with hard hitting bomber Brandon Rios (24-0-1, 18 KOS) over 12 scheduled rounds. Action from the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada, begins Saturday night at 10 PM ET on HBO.
MEXICIAN LEGEND TOPS PPV
Despite losing five of his last ten bouts, albeit against some of the best in world, multi division former champ Erik Morales (49-6, 34 KOs) continues to fight on when he laces ‘em up against feather fisted unknown scrapper Willie Limond (33-2, 8 KOs) over 12 proposed rounds in the welterweight (147) division at Monumental Plaza de Toros in Mexico City, Mexico, Saturday at 9 PM ET on PPV.
SHOBOX GOES HEAVY
To kick off the weekend, the critically acclaimed series delivers a pair of heavyweight altercations when John O’ Donnell (23-1, 11KOs) meets Terrence Cauthen (35-6, 9 KOs) over 12 scheduled rounds. In the opener, unbeaten heavy handed brawlers Tyson Fury (11-0, 9 KOs) and Rich Power (12-0, 9 KOS) swing for the fences over 8 proposed rounds of action from York Hall in Bethnal Green, London, Friday at 11 PM ET on Showtime.
John Signorella