Spring is finally in the air, and as the clocks move forward there’s a renewed bounce in our step too — helped in no small part by another stacked weekend of boxing coming into view.
From Anaheim, California to Dublin, Ireland — with a stop in Yokohama, Japan along the way — what should be catching the eye of boxing fans this weekend?
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Buckle up as we take a closer look.
1. Barboza and Sims look to avoid back-to-back losses
After dropping losses to Teofimo Lopez Jr. and Oscar Duarte in their most recent fights, respectively, Arnold Barboza Jr. and Kenneth Sims Jr. are back in action this weekend, attempting to relaunch their names up a division at welterweight.
May’s Times Square unanimous decision loss to Lopez for the WBO title at super lightweight was the first blemish on Barboza’s career to date, snapping a 32-fight winning streak that had culminated in impressive wins against Jose Ramirez and Jack Catterall.
Momentum is huge in boxing, and 10 months on from that defeat, the 34-year-old will be hoping to plant his flag in a star-studded division looking to future opportunities.
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Sims is the man who stands in the way, and despite the three losses on his record, he’s determined to prove that these were simply lessons to improve his boxing artillery.
Sims told reporters it’s a case of “win or go home” this weekend — a recipe for a must-watch firefight inside Anaheim’s Honda Center, as both men fight for their careers.
2. Collazo and his pound-for-pound push
Let’s hear some love for the little guys.
Oscar Collazo is knocking on the door of the pound-for-pound top-10 rankings after running to 13-0 and becoming a unified champion at minimumweight, and will put his titles on the line in Anaheim this weekend against Jesus Haro (13-3).
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Puerto Rico’s Collazo has made no secret in his desire to become the first undisputed champion at the 105-pound limit (a weight that has only been around since 1987) and is resisting calls to make the short jump north to what might be deemed more lucrative opportunities.
Melvin Jerusalem — who Collazo has already bested in 2023 — and Pedro Taduran own the WBC and IBF marbles at minimumweight, and will be the names in the mouth of the 29-year-old if he comes through Saturday night’s fight unscathed.
But if you’re new to the division this weekend, make sure you give Collazo a watch. He defines “passing the eye test” with his smooth yet destructive offense, and is a joy to watch with spiteful, intentional punches.
3. “Sweet Poison” aims to continue KO streak against Ruiz
It was only a few years ago that Freddy Fundora — father and trainer of Gabriela Fundora — was sending me photos of a young “Sweet Poison,” who was then set to make her professional debut.
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He promised me that the future was bright for his eldest daughter. Five years and 17 wins later, the 23-year-old flyweight is already one of the most successful fighters on the planet.
All the belts!
(Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy via Getty Images)
A back-to-back winner of Uncrowned’s Fighter of the Year award, Fundora defends her undisputed flyweight titles in Anaheim this weekend against Viviana Ruiz, looking to continue a head-turning run that has seen her stop all but one of her past six opponents.
If Fundora successfully defends her undisputed titles for a third time, then talk of a move up in weight — or possibly down!!! — will continue as the pound-for-pound star looks to assert her dominance across the lower weight classes.
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But with a grounded family unit in her corner, including 154-pound titlist big brother Sebastian, the sky really is the limit as to what Gabriela can achieve throughout the rest of her career.
4. St. Patrick’s Day weekend brings Dickens and Cacace together in Dublin
There’s a lot going on in Dublin, Ireland this weekend…
It’s St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Ireland’s rugby team close out their Six Nations campaign against Scotland with a chance of glory, Jazza Dickens fights Anthony Cacace for the WBA super featherweight world title, and there’s a popular Irish comedian playing one of many sold-out nights in the city.
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So, guess which one of those four your very own sports-loving, Guinness-drinking Uncrowned writer is attending.
Yep, you guessed it: The comedy one.
But Jazza Dickens’ super featherweight title defense will be no joke. The champion starts as a +175 dog (per BetMGM) in the first defense of his 130-pound title, with hometown hero Cacace looking to extend his nine-fight winning streak and bag the WBA crown.
Neither man has had an easy ride in the sport, so the no-frills setting of a classic Dublin fight night adds to the electric needle expected between these two southpaws come Saturday inside the 3Arena.
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5. Donaire is back to prove that age is just a number
Write off the “Filipino Flash” at your peril.
The 43-year-old former four-weight world champion told Uncrowned this week that he is gunning for the undisputed title at 118 pounds, and it’ll take a braver man than me to suggest this feat is out of his reach.
Donaire takes on Riku Masuda — a man 15 years his junior — on Sunday in Yokohama, Japan, with another shot at the WBA bantamweight title promised for the winner of this title eliminator.
Donaire has lost three of his past four bouts but looked genuinely impressive last time out in December against Seiya Tsutsumi. Can he roll back the years en route to breaking his own record as the eldest world champion at bantamweight?
Well, you might not be able to tune in to find out, as there is still limited information available regarding a broadcast or stream — but you should definitely follow it, somewhere!
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