Another mega-boxing Saturday on tap with Showtime, ESPN, and DAZN all presenting live fight cards. Plus don’t forget about the return of Erik “El Terrible” Morales in a PPV exhibition.
The day opens with IBF featherweight champion Kiko Martinez (43-10-2, 30 KOs) defending his world title against Josh Warrington (30-1-1, 7 KOs) at the First Direct Arena in Leeds, England. Martinez previously lost a majority decision to Warrington, so not an easy first defense.
That evening, Showtime and ESPN go head to head.
Showtime presents the long-awaited USA debut of unbeaten WBO #1 rated junior middleweight Tim Tszyu (20-0, 15 KOs) against 2012 U.S. Olympian Terrell Gausha (22-2-1, 11 KOs) from the Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tszyu, of course, is the son of ring legend Kostya Tszyu.
ESPN counters with the return of former world champion Miguel Berchelt (38-2, 34 KOs) against Jeremia Nakathila (22-2, 18 KOs) at Resorts World Las Vegas. Berchelt is moving up to the lightweight after losing his WBO 130lb belt by KO against Oscar Valdez 13 months ago. Nakathila is best known for taking Shakur Stevenson the full twelve rounds.
For those who prefer legends boxing exhibitions, you can order the $21.99 PPV on Fite headlined by ring legend Erik Morales against former world champ Orlando Salido from the Mesquite Arena in Mesquite, Texas.
Tszyu vs Gausha is the main event this weekend, rest could fit on the undercard witht the opener Morales vs Salido exhibition.
Sorry Erik, but I won’t be forking over a red cent to see you and old man Salido!!
Tszu has a good attitude like his daddy. Like his daddy, there is a flaw in that he thinks he cannot be knocked out be someone who is seen as far lesser. Vince Phillips took everything Kostya had and knocked him out. Tszyu was never the same. He had great wins after that , but he did not have the air of invincibility he once had. When this Tszyu is being outboxed and gets clocked when he lunges in , and he does lunge in, we will I predict see a repeat of the past. IF he were smart he wins and does not need to face first promise a knockout. First he is not a crusher and second what did we just see with Edgar Burlanga , ? A exposure? Ya I say. He looked like a c fighter. He doesn’t throw punches correctly. Who else noticed he was jabbing weird and some of his shots looked like my wives punches. Burlanga spends way more time designing logos and making up stupid sayings..what does he call himself the ? Anyway it is stupid. I like Tszyu, but until he takes a few hard shots we will not know his meddle. Nuff said.
I think it’s a really bad look for Warrington give that belt up to avoid having to fight Kid Galahad again and say he’s going to look for big fights and then when Galahad loses it and decides to move up instead of enforcing his rematch clause, Warrington decides he’s interested in the title again now that someone he already beat has the belt. I’m rooting for Kiko hard on Saturday.
Berchelt – Nakathila should be a war for as long as it lasts. I’m taking Nakathila.
I don’t particularly dislike Warrington but I do agree with you.
I also think he is a massive overachiever. Respect to the wins he had but I think a few of them were about being underestimated. Especially the Frampton fight. Add to that he probably lost to kid galahad and his record isn’t that impressive really. Once he was established is the key name in the weight division he got exposed big time.
Kiko is likeable and I really hope he can beat Warrington
Completely agree CB. I don’t dislike him either, he seems a nice guy and, win or lose, he always gives it his all in his fights and I didn’t even have a problem with him vacating over fighting Kid Galahad originally because I didn’t want to see that fight again. But when you do that and talk about seeking fights with Russell and Xu Can at the time, get none of them and then as soon as Galahad is out of the picture here you come wanting your belt back, against a guy who you already beat…. it just seems weak to me.
And even if Warrington does win, Venado is his mandatory, he’s not beating Venado.
I am from Hull and Josh is from Leeds about 40 miles away. I saw a really early fight in Hull Ice Arena on a Luke Campbell undercard (Luke is from Hull). Josh fought a hull local called samir mouemnie. and it wasn’t a big deal because josh had a 10-0 record (with no kos at all). Josh stopped him in the final round through pure attrition but the Leeds crowd was crazy. Kind of summed up how career imo
Think Martinez had kind of a fluke win as he was put in to make Galahad look good but I dont expect much from a 36 year old Martinez this time. Any reason he is not fighting Lara these days?
Galahad said he was dead at the weigtht which was why he lost to Kiko and he had a rematch clause but he passed on it and moved up to 130.
Lara actually fought 2-3 weeks ago on Chocolatito’s undercard.
I saw the fight i think a ko win but he got hit alot?
Yep. He actually didn’t look good save for the end which was absolutely brutal. But his body language was bad, he was complaining a lot and he slipped at one point and lifted his gloves up like he was asking the ref to help him up.
Isn’t Morales and Salido both senators?
Glad to see Erik in the ring again. Same with underrated Siri. #Legends
The first Kiko vs Warrington fight was a robbery, good revenge is coming up !! Vamos Kiko !!!
Kiko is the type of fighter that has earned his belts the hard way without being helped by any promoter. He’s a real warrior and hopefully they’re not going to rob him..