If you want some boxing to accompany your July 4th celebrations this weekend, then we’ve got you covered!
As always, there’s an eclectic mix of fight action across the globe.
We’re dipping our toes into fight cards from Cleveland to Tokyo via the Parisian suburbs, with two bright young American world champions headlining the slate.
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Let’s take a look at the best of the weekend’s action.
1. Mason and a late call-up for Bell
Young starlet Abdullah Mason may be just 22 years old, but at 20-0 (17 KOs) he’s already carving out an experienced career at the top of the lightweight division.
The WBO champion was due to defend his strap against Wales’ Joe Cordina this weekend, but the 34-year-old challenger was denied a U.S. visa due to being charged with “assault and threatening a person with an offensive weapon” back in February.
Cordina’s loss is Albert Bell’s gain.
Bell (28-0, 9 KOs) fights out of Toledo, Ohio and arrives in Cleveland unbeaten across a 13-year pro career. He’s also a former sparring partner of his fellow Ohioan, Mason. But at age 33, Bell probably would have made his move to the top already if it was coming.
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He’s as big as a +375 underdog against Mason on Saturday night and is expected to be an assignment worthy of thought for Mason. Bell has cruised along without really stepping up in his career, and even though Mason is still more prospect than finished product, the matchmaking — especially at short notice — looks perfect for the champion.
Abdullah Mason (C) faces a familiar test in his first WBO lightweight title defense.
(Richard Pelham via Getty Images)
2. “Shu Shu” defends his featherweight gold
Mexico’s Rene Palacios (19-0-1, 10 KOs) is making all the right noises as an underdog this weekend.
The 25-year-old mini “Zurdo” takes on WBC featherweight world champion Bruce Carrington (17-0, 10 KOs) on the Mason-Bell undercard, and is adamant that “Shu Shu” is overlooking his challenge.
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“I believe he [still] lacks [in some areas] and I’m going to show it on July 4. I’m very determined, like a starving dog. Carrington is overlooking me and that’s a big mistake on his part,” he said ahead of this weekend’s fight, ticking most of the boxes of what you’d expect of a challenger looking to cause an upset.
Carrington’s first defense of the green and gold belt comes six months after he claimed the vacant strap against Carlos Castro, and the 29-year-old has made no secret of who he is hunting next: Japan’s “Monster,” Naoya Inoue.
But first, Palacios awaits, and after an intense faceoff this one could well catch fire.
3. Mossely in a 50-50 at super lightweight
The former Olympic and World Championship gold medalist from 2016 is back in professional action this weekend, after a short stint back in the amateur code.
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French star Estelle Mossely (12-0-1, 1 KOs) was upset in the opening round of her 2024 home Olympics return by American Jajaira Gonzalez, so is now looking to continue her unbeaten career in the paid ranks.
She’s up against the tough Argentinean Karen Elizabeth Carabajal (25-3, 4 KOs) this Saturday in a southeastern suburb of Paris, as super middleweight compatriot Kevin Lele Sajdo headlines the bill.
It’ll be Mossely’s second pro bout since 2023, after returning this past April with a unanimous points decision victory over Bexcy Mateus.
4. Hata and Narai meet in Tokyo
The famous Korakuen Hall in Tokyo plays host to a super featherweight cracker on Saturday.
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Yamato Hata (18-2-1, 17 KOs) defends his Oriental and Pacific titles at 130 pounds against the similarly schooled Tsubasa Narai (18-2, 12 KOs), with both men on an unbeaten run of fights since 2022.
Hata defended his titles back in March against South Korea’s Tae Sun Kim via fifth-round TKO, bouncing back from a tragic evening last August where Hata’s opponent, Shigetoshi Kotari, lost his life after their fight, aged just 28.
Narai is on a 10-fight win streak, including a big upset over Kai Watanabe last January on the Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim undercard.
Ryan Garcia is betting big on Mexico vs. England.
(Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images)
5. Who will win — Ryan Garcia or Frank Warren?
Don’t panic: the 74-year-old Hall of Fame promoter isn’t getting in the ring with 27-year-old Garcia.
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Well, not at the time of writing, anyway.
But these two have agreed to a wager on Mexico vs. England’s round of 16 World Cup match on Sunday evening. After England came from behind to edge past DR Congo 2-1 in the previous round, Warren, a lifelong football fan, took to social media to celebrate.
“Not the most comfortable game we’ve ever had but job done, and Mexico next!” he posted.
Garcia caught wind of this and replied: “Hey Frank, we don’t speak much but if you want a bet for Sunday let me know. MEXICO ALL THE WAY.”
Warren accepted the challenge, but with a charitable twist.
“If Mexico manage to win, I will make a donation to a charity of your choice,” he responded. “Speak on Sunday.”
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Garcia was quick to agree.
“I really like that idea – count me in,” he wrote. “I will gladly do the same if England somehow pulls it off.”
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