Boxing Buzz

The boxing streets are always filled with unconfirmed rumors, fights that are being worked on, and possible future match-ups. The fans have come to love hyping up the next fight even if a fighter is already scheduled to fight. Here’s a few rumors going around, and our thoughts about how they will play out and if they come to reality:

The biggest thing happening right now is a possible showdown between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Gennady Golovkin on July 12th at The Forum in Los Angeles. Arum says that finalizations are being made on the contracts. That’s as close as you’ll get to a done deal in boxing. Bank on this happening. Only problem is that it’s on HBO PPV, so be prepared to pay some more money in July after Pacquiao, Mayweather, and Cotto take it the previous months. 

Mayweather’s undercards always seem to draw some big attention. From what I understand, both Amir Khan and Adrien Broner will be on the undercard in separate fights. It’s likley we see Amir Khan vs Luis Collazo, Adrien Broner vs Carlos Molina, and J’leon Love vs Marco Antonio Periban. It’s not a bad card but not a great one. Khan and Broner are always fun to watch though. Should Mayweather avoid a huge upset it’s not likely we see him fight Khan in September if Khan beats Collazo. Khan partakes in Ramadan every year and he won’t be able to train for the fight. Also, it’s doubtful one win over Collazo will make fans want to see him fight Mayweather. Wondering who they’ll line up for Mayweather in September? So are we.

Sergey Kovalev faces Cedric Agnew March 29th in a fight that shouldn’t happen. The fight everyone wants to see is Kovalev vs Adonis Stevenson. Stevenson has said that he will fight Kovalev if the “money is right.” It’s never a good sign when a fighter says that. Also, Stevenson has signed with Al Haymon meaning that it’s likely he’ll face someone like Bernard Hopkins. HBO is confident that Stevenson is sticking with them and that a Kovalev fight will happen by the end of the year. I’m 50/50. 

Two of the most exciting fighters in boxing will be featured April 26th on Showtime as Keith Thurman and Lucas Matthysse return to action. Their opponents are confirmed however Golden Boy has been quiet so far as to who they are. Is this setting up a Thurman vs Matthysse showdown in the fall? It’s possible if they both win. Fans were already disappointed that it was in “separate” bouts when hearing about the card. They want this fight. 

The fan favorite Ruslan Provodnikov returns June 14th against an unknown opponent. Brandon Rios has been begging for this fight but Bob Arum says that he doesn’t believe he can make 140. Discussions are still being talked about but it sounds like Arum has other plans for Rios. I can see both Provodnikov and Rios fighting in separate bouts on June 14th and then facing off in the fall. 

Interested in the heavyweights? There might be reason to be. Deontay Wilder’s victory has him in line to face the winner of Stiverne-Arreola on May 17th. Bryant Jennings vs Mike Perez is being set up for June or July. The winner of Wilder-Stiverne/Arreola and Jennings-Perez are supposed to face each other with a winner getting a shot at Wladimir Klitchsko. That’s a nice little tournament. Hopefully it plays out.

The Mikey Garcia vs Yuriorkis Gamboa fight seems dead. Rumor is HBO set aside 2.5 million for the fight yet both fighters couldn’t reach an agreement as to who gets the lion’s share. The fans lose out on this one. HBO still really wants it but I doubt it gets put together. Here’s hoping.

Robert Guerrero signed with Al Haymon. I can see that Golden Boy lawsuit disappearing quickly with The Ghost returning to the ring soon. Zab Judah in June? He’s about the only one available out of Golden Boy’s welterweights. 

That’s all for the major boxing news. We’ll try to keep everyone updated as things begin to unfold. Keep checking back!