On SATURDAY, March 27
ARTHUR ABRAHAM vs. ANDRE DIRRELL
Rounds / weight class: 12 rounds / super middleweights
Location: Detroit
Television: Showtime
The backdrop: This is the first fight in the second-round of fights in the Super Six Boxing Classic and the biggest fight this weekend. Abraham (31-0, 25 KOs) was easily outpointing Jerman Taylor when, in the final round, he knocked Taylor unconscious and out of the tournament. The Armenian-German, fierce and skillful, might be the favorite to win the tournament now that Mikkel Kessler lost to Andre Ward. Dirrell (18-1, 13 KOs) lost a decision to Carl Froch in his first Super Six fight but many believe he did enough to win. The Flint, Mich., product will stick and move as usual but must be more aggressive –- and take more risks –- against a complete fighter like Abraham than he did against Froch to stand a chance.
Also fighting: Lateef Kayode vs. Chris Thomas, eight rounds, cruiserweights; Dominik Britsch vs. Mark Berkshire, eight rounds, middleweights.
Rating the card: A-. A main event as compelling as this is must-see TV.
MARCOS MAIDANA vs. VICTOR MANUEL CAYO
Rounds / weight class: 12 rounds / junior welterweights
Location: Las Vegas
Television: HBO
The backdrop: Maidana (27-1, 26 KOs) might be second only to Edwin Valero as a knockout machine. The baby-faced Argentine has stopped Victor Ortiz and William Gonzalez since he lost a close decision to Andreas Kotelnik in Kotelnik’s home base of Germany, which means Maidana probably should’ve won. Cayo (24-0, 16 KOs) is no pushover. The Dominican has beaten only one recognizable opponent, Julio Diaz, but is quick and skillful enough to pose a serious threat to Maidana. Ali Funeka (30-2-3, 25 KOs) and Joan Guzman (29-0-1, 17 KOs) fight in a rematch of their disputed –- and very entertaining -– draw in November. Most observers thought Funeka should’ve received the nod. The fight is for a vacant lightweight title.
Also fighting: Daniel Jacobs vs. Jose Luis Rodriguez Berrio, eight rounds, middleweights.
Rating the card: A. Maidana-Cayo AND Funeka-Guzman? Whew.
ERIK MORALES vs. JOSE ALFARO
Rounds / weight class: 12 rounds / welterweights
Location: Monterrey, Mexico
Television: Integrated Sports Pay-Per-View
The backdrop: This is no main even to celebrate. Morales (48-6, 34 KOs) is a future Hall of Famer who has delivered countless thrills but has lost his last four fights and hasn’t fought since 2007, when by retiring he seemed to admit he had nothing left. Plus, he gained a great deal of weight during “retirement.” Still, Morales is a big name and commands attention. And, who knows, maybe the time off and move up from lightweight will rejuvenate the Mexican star to some degree. Alfaro (23-5, 20 K0s) is a decent opponent. The Nicaraguan briefly held a lightweight title in 2007-08, beating Prawet Singwancha to win it. He’s coming off a 10th-round TKO against Antonio DeMarco. He also is moving up from lightweight for this fight. The main undercard fight, a light heavyweight title eliminator between Chris Henry and Hugo Garay, is more-compelling than the main event.
Rating the card: C. The curiosity factor regarding Morales is significant. And Henry-Garay is a good matchup.
YURIORKIS GAMBOA vs. JONATHAN VICTOR BARROS
Rounds / weight class: 12 rounds / featherweights
Location: Hamburg, Germany
Television: Integrated Sports Pay-Per-View
The backdrop: Gamboa (17-0, 15 KOs) might have a combination of dynamism, ability and power rivaled only by Manny Pacquiao and Valero. The Cuban defector has seven consecutive knockouts, four within two rounds. He stopped tough Rogers Mtagwa in two rounds in his last fight. We want to see Gamboa fight the best featherweights –- Juan Manuel Lopez, to be specific -– but we’re enjoying the ride so far. Barros (28-0-1, 16 KOs) has never tasted defeat but the Argentine also has never fought outside his native South America, making him an unknown. One thing seems obvious: Barros has never faced a fighter anywhere near the ability of Gamboa, meaning he’ll probably be KO victim No. 16.
Also fighting:Denis Bakhtov vs. Steffen Kretschmann, 12 rounds heavyweights; Juan Carlos Gomez vs. Alexey Mazikin, 12 rounds, heavyweights.
Rating the card: B. You don’t want to miss the knockout.
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Which fight are you looking forward too?