by Cliff Rold

On paper it is not the most anticipated.  The calendar has to wrap to figure out how good it is in comparison to others within the year.  One thing is certain.

This is shaping up as one of the busiest weeks of 2011 in the squared circle with a depth of quality matches to choose from all over the world.  On U.S. TV, there will be ShoBox and Solo Boxeo cards on Friday along with three shows Saturday (one of them an Integrated Sports pay-per-view headlined by Juan Manuel Lopez).

None of those made the picks of the week.

Of those that did, the best of them, on paper, is a tough call.  A pair of top ten Cruiserweights are throwing down in what is almost a unification match while one of the premiere warriors of his time attempts one more shot at title glory.  Which should be the better fight?  Does the last name “Marquez” help the call?

These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: #1 (at 122) Toshiaki Nishioka vs. #5 (at 126) Rafael Marquez (Saturday, Fox Deportes, 10 PM EST/PST)

Anyone who has seen the WBC Jr. Featherweight Nishioka (38-4-3, 24 KO) on his hot streak at 122 lbs. knows just how formidable the Japanese veteran is right now.  He was every bit as formidable at Bantamweight once upon a time, but just couldn’t get past the outstanding Thai titlist Veraphol Sahaprom.  With a win Saturday, he could vault past his former rival to a global recognition the Thai never received.  The Former Bantamweight and Jr. Featherweight king Marquez (40-6, 36 KO) will have much to say about it.  Both men are in their mid-30s and the leather will fly.  If Marquez has the legs, and a career full of wars can surely wear on them, this could well be a classic.  One never knows until the bell rings how a fight will go, but a betting man would be wise to wager this will be the fight of the week.  Because it is Fox, do check local listings, the only downside to their haphazard schedule (though, since this looks like it’s not airing on the English outlets, that may be averted).  If it helps the anticipation, outstanding Jr. Flyweight titlist and former Strawweight standout Roman Gonzalez is also on tap. 

Pick ?: #1 Steve Cunningham vs. Yoan Pablo Hernandez (Saturday, Germany, ?)

 

It doesn’t look like this one will be picked up by a U.S. outlet, so YouTube on Sunday may the best way to see what looks like an outstanding card.  The IBF 200 lb. titlist Cunningham (24-2, 12 KO), by way of a win over Marco Huck years ago if not activity, is seen by most as the leader at Cruiserweight.  His place will be tested by the WBA interim titlist Hernandez (24-1, 13 KO).  Considering the ‘real’ WBA champion Guillermo Jones almost never fights, this one could end up being a unification bout by bell time; who knows with the sanctioning bodies?  And who cares really?  This is two of the finest fighters in the world at their weight and it should be a good show.  So too should an undercard highlighted by a rematch between Karo Murat and former Light Heavyweight titlist Gabriel Campillo.  The winner is sure to be in line for a crack at some belt or another.

Pick Walk: World Champion Sergio Martinez vs. Darren Barker

Not everyone gets Fox Deportes.  The recommendation from here would be to call the cable company and order it, if only for a night, to catch the Marquez fight.  That would be the same even for those with HBO (and what serious fight fan is without these days?).  Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KO) is the best Middleweight since Bernard Hopkins was in his 30s and has piled up impressive victories in each of his last three outings.  Upsets can always happen but this looks like the paycheck fight most champions take early in a reign.  Barker (23-0, 14 KO is unbeaten and can fight some but looks outmatched here.  The undercard gives Andy Lee (26-1, 19 KO) and chance to reverse his lone loss to Brian Vera (19-5, 12 KO) and should be the better scrap.  So, certainly, check this one out.

But only as a DVR special after the carnage has settled on Fox Deportes. 

Back in seven.    

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Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com