If you’re sick and tired of the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta “Tank” Davis fallout this week, then you’ve come to the right place.
Or have you?
I’d love to say yes — I mean, we have a cracker of an interim world title fight in the red-hot 154-pound division this weekend and a new eight-man tournament of super middleweights in what appears to be a sort of “Prizefighter” throwback. But then there is also the return of the M-word.
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No, not Mayweather, not Manny Pacquiao, not even Mike Tyson — but something potentially more controversial than all three put together.
That’s right: Misfits Boxing.
Let’s take a closer look at another weird and wonderful weekend of boxing action!
1. Ortiz Jr. vs. Lubin in the sport’s hottest division?
Super welterweight is the place to be in boxing at the moment.
Well, unless you weigh 154 pounds, aren’t very good at boxing, and get paired with one of the superstars of the division that are all jostling for top spot.
Obviously, that can’t be said for either Vergil Ortiz Jr. or Erickson Lubin, who lock horns this weekend for the WBC’s interim title in Fort Worth, Texas, live on DAZN.
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Big things still await Ortiz (23-0, 17 KOs), who continues to chase the promise Oscar De La Hoya made early in his career — that Ortiz would one day sit among boxing’s elite.
But before talk turns to showdowns with Jaron “Boots” Ennis or WBO champion Xander Zayas, Ortiz has to handle what’s right in front of him this weekend: The fleet-footed, skilled Lubin.
Lubin (27-2 19 KOs) has dropped losses to Sebastian Fundora and Jermell Charlo (separated by five years) but, despite arriving in Texas as the underdog, knows he has the power to test Ortiz — assuming he can land his bombs.
Can Vergil Ortiz Jr. live up to the expectations Golden Boy has laid out for him?
(Omar Vega via Getty Images)
2. Amari Jones’ next chapter with Golden Boy
One of the brightest prospects aiming to breathe life back into a flat middleweight division is Amari “The Reaper” Jones, who officially signed with Golden Boy Promotions at the back end of the summer.
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The 23-year-old switch-hitter — a decorated amateur turned unbeaten professional at 14-0 (12 KOs) — makes his debut under the Golden Boy banner on the Ortiz-Lubin undercard.
Jones is matched with Shady Gamhour (14-2, 9 KOs) in a 10-round matchup, and, at least on-paper, this looks like a prime opportunity to make a statement for the Virgil Hunter-trained 160-pounder.
“Amari is one of the best fighters I have trained since Andre Ward,” Hunter said. “He has all the makings to become a world champion and stay there.”
3. Lee Gormley and Teo Alin clash for Belfast ‘Bragging Rights’
What, you didn’t know that the vacant Boxing Union of Ireland Celtic super featherweight title was on the line this Saturday night?
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Well, shame on you.
In Belfast, Northern Ireland, Teo Alin (5-0, 1 KO) and Lee Gormley (6-1, 1 KO) go to war at 130 pounds in an event titled “Bragging Rights,” with both looking to take the … yep, you guessed it: Bragging rights.
For 29-year-old Alin, this is a chance for him to break out in a maiden title fight. His team consists of Padraig McCrory and Jamie Conlan, both who are adamant that Alin will continue his seamless transition into the pro game.
4. What on earth is going on in Misfits Boxing?
It’s always a bit of an education for me when I peek through the curtain into the curious world of Misfits Boxing.
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If it’s not trying to work out how to pronounce names like Lil’ CraCra, BBCC Gareth and YuddyGangTV, it’s an attempt to decipher what rules and weights actually apply to the fights, and whether all of it is kosher.
There’s no doubt that the product has lost a little bit of steam over the past year or so, and now with news that Andrew Tate — who, along with his brother Tristan, face allegations of human trafficking and sexual assault in several countries, including in the United Kingdom — has been made the CEO of the company, don’t expect things to improve fast.
The Misfits circus is off to Nashville on Sunday for “MF Duel,” broadcasted live on DAZN, in which the previously mentioned Lil’ CraCra takes on Fox The G — who I’m informed is not related to G-Easy — at lightweight.
And if you want a free, concise and well thought out prediction, check out one of the top comments on the Misfits X feed trying to promote this fight:
“Watch this cra cra will destroy fox tko him in 4th round and you will have no response to me when I come back to this comment.”
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5. Eight super middleweights look to win GBM’s ‘The Heist’
“Prizefighter” is back, baby! But under a different guise.
Saturday night, live on DAZN, GMB Promotions presents “The Heist.” Set at super middleweight, eight rising fighters will go toe-to-toe over one intense evening, with £25,000 ($32,888) and serious recognition on the line for the eventual winner.
The Connexin Live in Hull, Yorkshire, UK, will host the night’s action that will consist of seven bouts of three three-minute rounds, with Germaine Brown, SA Smith, James Osborne, Ellis Steward, Ryszard Lewicki, Liam O’Hare, Haaris Khan and Taz Nadeem making up the grateful eight taking part.
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Haaris Khan (7-0, 1 KO) starts as the favorite to take the crown thanks to an unblemished pro career to date, matched with 33-year-old James Osbourne (10-1, 2 KOs) in the opening round.