Boxing Weekend Preview: May 4th-May 5th, 2018, Golovkin, Vanes, Ryan Garcia, David Haye
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Golovkin vs. Vanes [Carson, CA – HBO, Saturday, May 5th]
Gennady Golovkin is back in action on Cinco de Mayo as he takes on late replacement Vanes Martirosyan on Saturday, May 5th in Carson, CA at the StubHub Center in Carson, CA.
Golovkin, the perennial best middleweight of his generation has spent a majority of his career in odd situations either being avoided by fighters in his division or not offering enough monetary compensation to get fights that move the needle. Nonetheless, the brutal knockout power of Golovkin has made him a major draw for the simple fact that when Golovkin fights more than likely someone is getting hurt badly as he has become beloved in particular in the Los Angeles, CA area.
Martirosyan is a decorated amateur who was a 2004 U.S. Olympian, who has never quite gotten his marquee win. Martirosyan, who took the fight on three weeks notice after Canelo Alvarez failed pre-fight drug tests.
Martirosyan, a courageous fighter will look to shock the world as Martirosyan is moving up from 154 lbs to 160 lbs as looks to make history doing something most won’t do on a full training camp, which is fight Golovkin. In the build-up to the bout, Martirosyan stated that he actually feels stronger at 160 lbs. and that he would of taken his next bout at this weight class regardless.
The bout, in my opinion, will be much more competitive than people are thinking from the onset as Martirosyan has the right mentality to fighting to pull off the upset.
This fight will be broadcast on HBO on Saturday
Cecilia Braekhus [Carson, CA – HBO, Saturday, May 5th]
Undefeated unified women’s welterweight champion Cecilia Brækhus will make her HBO television debut taking on Kali Reis in a ten-round bout. Brækhus is a fully faceted fighter and one of the best to ever do it, in any era. On top of that, she is from where I am born, Norway.
Bam, Martin, Brian Ceballo
Minimum weight Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez will be featured on the undercard of the May 5th card. The brother of Joshua Franco is hailed as a boxing prodigy but will be tested against an opponent with ten times the pro experience he has
Super lightweight Ryan Martin will look to make his second fight at 140 lbs. just as good as his first, which was a knockout victory as he fights Breidis Prescott, a man who is best known for knocking out Amir Khan at one point in his career, but now is more of journeyman tough guy. The bout serves as a test for Martin to see how well he can deal with an aggressive, experienced opponent, especially since in his last bout as Martin was more of a come forward fighter than anything else.
Brian Ceballo, a very composed fighter who has a great sense of distance and ability to punch from pretty much any position he is in the ring will face former UFC “The Ultimate Fighter” cast member Nam Pham in a bout that should showcase more Ceballo’s skills.
Ryan Garcia vs Jayson Velez [Carson, Ca – ESPN, May 4th]
Super featherweight Ryan Garcia will look to make a statement the day before Gennady Golovkin and Vanes Martirosyan do battle at the same exact venue as he faces a dangerous veteran Jayson Velez. Garcia, a lightning quick, monstrous puncher is looking to add another highlight to his already extensive highlight reel package, whereas Velez is coming off his biggest win in recent memory against Juan Manuel Lopez.
Garcia should pick up the win as he is the young prospect seemingly set for stardom, but Velez is coming off a good win as well as going right back to another camp with momentum. My fear is that this bout could be a foul-riddled affair if the veteran Velez comes to win, realizes it might be difficult and looks to make it dirty.
The bout is an interesting barometer for the polarizing figure that is Ryan Garcia as the boxing community appears divided on just how good he is.
Garcia will more than likely fight for a world title on the Canelo vs Golovkin II PPV undercard if Golovkin and Garcia both win this weekend.
Spike O’Sullivan, Estrada
Middleweight Gary “Spike” O’Sullivan seems to have won the lottery in terms of his career trajectory as just a year or so ago, he was getting outboxed by Chris Eubank Jr, but now after an Antoine Douglas win, O’Sullivan is looking to land a big fight with Golovkin or Canelo. O’Sullivan, who was originally rumored to face Gennady Golovkin, declined the bout when the money was not what O’Sullivan hoped for.
O’Sullivan is not just fighting, but also hosting a roundtable to press at the weigh-in on Thursday.
Women’s flyweight Seniesa Estrada will be back in action after headlining LA Fight Club in March. Estrada is in a stay-busy fight with hopes of a Marlen Esparza bout happening later this year.
Boxing returns to Sacramento, CA
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This Friday, May 4th from the DoubleTree Hotel in Sacramento, CA, Uppercut Promotions returns with a boxing card featuring young talent.
The card features Sacramento, CA super featherweight Malakai Johnson taking on Jose Delgado in a four-round bout, Oakland, Ca’s De’von Abraham, who trains out of the historic King’s Gym taking on Christian Reyes in a four-round bout, welterweight David Melgoza will make his pro debut against Nit Phonycheck and Jorge Chavez will face Shawn Harwood.
The bout is promoted by Uppercut Promotions.
Blake McKernan fights for WBU title
Sacramento, CA cruiserweight Blake “The Beast” McKernan (7-0 5KOs) will fight for the WBU cruiserweight title against Daniel Arambula (4-2 1KO) at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, Reno, Nevada on Friday, May 4th, which will be promoted by Let’s Get It On Promotions.
McKernan, a cruiserweight who seemingly came out of nowhere two years ago, has collected wins and a following despite a lack of an amateur background. McKernan is fighting in the biggest bout of his career in hopes of winning his first title.
Arambula poses one threat that I see that he will exchange with McKernan and also present angles in which he is not the easiest guy to hit, as well as all of Arambula’s losses, have come by way of decision meaning McKernan will have to earn his victory.
Reno, Nevada super flyweight Oscar Vasquez will be more than likely in the best bout of the card as he faces Ricardo Sandoval, a man who picked up a controversial win over Brent Venegas III early this year and is looking to upset another hometown fighter. If Sandoval pulls off the upset, he will more than likely get signed, Vasquez is a seasoned veteran looking to get over the hump in the professional realm and jump to the next level of competition.
This bout serves as a perfect gateway for either fighter to gain momentum to higher profile fights.
The undercard will also feature light flyweight Santos Vasquez taking on Bryan Aquino in a very evenly matched bout, undefeated heavyweight Frank Faure will face Lamont Capers, lightweight Diego Elizondo will face Canton Miller and Ricardo Galvan will also be in action.
Bellew vs Haye II
In a circus-like bout that is big overseas, but not quite getting the same push in America, David Haye will look to avenge his loss to Tony Bellew on May 5th. The original fight saw Haye get injured and then stopped by the massive underdog Bellew in the eleventh round. Bellew- and Haye are throwing verbal shots back and forth, but the big concern for most pundits is the health of Haye, who is the naturally bigger man as Bellew is a light heavyweight fighting at heavyweight, but Haye was so badly injured in the last bout, some wonder if he can stay healthy.
Rodriguez vs Butler
The IBF bantamweight title is on the line when Emmanuel Rodriguez takes on Paul Butler. Butler is the favorite as he has faced much better competition with his only loss coming to Zolani Tete, one of the best bantamweights in the world. Rodriguez has yet to fight the elite of the division and this will be his first introduction to this realm of fighter, a true trial by fire.
Joe Joyce vs Lenroy Thomas
“Big” Joe Joyce will be back in action taking on seasoned professional Lenroy Thomas. Joyce was a silver medalist in the super heavyweight division in the 2016 Olympic games.
Money Powell, John Ryder vs Jamie Cox
Super welterweight Money Powell IV, who is a fighter you should be looking out for will be on this undercard as well as John Ryder vs. Jamie Cox should provide for a fun action packed regional bout on the undercard as well.
George Kambosos Jr, Shelly Vincent
Australian George Kambosos Jr will fight this weekend in Connecticut. Kambosos is a heavy puncher, who those behind him have high hopes for.
Women’s featherweight Shelly Vincent, most known for her Anonymous mask she wears during weigh-ins will also be in action.
Tommy Langford
Tommy Langford, who was close to winning a world title before being brutally stopped by Avtandil Khurtsidze, will look to get another win to rebuild his career.
