Pick It: TBRB #1 Callum Smith vs. Middleweight Champion Saul Alvarez (Saturday, DAZN, 10 PM EST)

 

The return of arguably the biggest star in boxing is an easy pick of the week. That it matches the 30-year old Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KO) against Ring Magazine and WBA super middleweight titlist Callum Smith (27-0, 19 KO) in a serious clash is all the better.

With a win, Alvarez can lay real claim to belts in four weight classes after previously winning a WBA sub-belt at 168 lbs. That will add an extra for some. Smith, making his first start since a controversial win over John Ryder in 2019, can ignite his career in a way his World Boxing Super Series final victory over George Groves only hinted at. It will be Alvarez’s sixth straight contest against someone rated top ten by TBRB or Ring across three weight classes.

Five of those will have been against someone marked the champion or a top two contender. It’s hard to ask more from a superstar. Additional undercard action starts at 8 and check local listings as some cable outlets show this fight as being available pay-per-view for those without DAZN.

              

Additional Shows to Watch For

Wednesday - Stanionis vs. Gonzalez (FS1, 9 PM EST)

Welterweight action headlines this prospect spotlight. 26-year old Lithuanian Eimantas Stanionis (11-0, 8 KO) is coming off his longest pro outing, extended to nine his last time out. 33-year old Janer Gonzalez (19-3-1, 15 KO) hasn’t fought in a year and was stopped in each of his last two starts with three losses in a row overall. 

Wednesday - #4 Mendez vs. Diaz (YouTube, 9 PM EST)

The WBO strap at strawweight is on the line, streaking on the Shuan Boxing channel. 24-year old Wilfredo Mendez (16-1, 6 KO) is making his first start since February and is attempting his third title defense. 33-year old challenger Alexis Diaz (25-2, 17 KO) has been stopped twice and arrives at his first title shot with little time to spare. 

Thursday - Conwell vs. Ashkeyev (NBC Sports Net, 9 PM EST)

23-year old 2016 US Olympian Charles Conwell (13-0, 10 KO) shows real promise as a future threat at Jr. middleweight and middleweight but he’s still learning his craft. 32-year old Madiyar Ashkeyev (14-0, 7 KO) has less room for error if he wants to make a real run at contention. This could be a real gem for the new Fight City series.

Friday - #1 Golovkin vs. Szermata (DAZN, 7 PM EST)

Now 38, IBF middleweight beltholder Gennady Golovkin (40-1-1, 35 KO) makes his first start since a narrow war against Sergiy Derevyanchenko. 31-year old Kamil Szermata (21-0, 5 KO) seems like a step back for a Golovkin whose real goal likely remains a third fight with Alvarez. An impressive win here won’t hurt the chance to start that buzz again though the window may have closed with Alvarez now a free agent. Additional undercard action starts at 5 PM EST.

Friday - Ramirez vs. Lopez (PPV, 8 PM EST)

29-year old former super middleweight beltholder Gilberto Ramirez (40-0, 26 KO) has his sights set on gold at light heavyweight. This independent show will cost for the interested as he tackles 38-year old Alfonso Lopez (32-3, 25 KO). Lopez has never been stopped.

Saturday - #6 Rodriguez vs. Gaballo (Showtime, 9 PM EST)

Don’t be surprised if this bantamweight main event sneaks up as one of the better fights of the week. A main event that has evolved from Nonito Donaire-Nordine Oubaali to Donaire-Emmanuel Rodriguez has now settled into what we expect to be its final form. Donaire has publicly lobbied to keep the spot but so far his evidence of not having COVID isn’t changing the bill. The 28-year old former titlist Rodriguez (19-1, 12 KO) will get a chance at an interim WBC belt when he now faces 24-year old Reymart Gaballo (23-0, 20 KO). Gaballo can go and has a chance to break out as a new threat in Monster territory. Also on the show, 27-year old bantamweight Gary Antonio Russell (17-0, 12 KO) faces 36-year old former titlist Juan Carlos Payano (21-4, 9 KO) and 23-year old eye catching welterweight Jaron Ennis (26-0, 24 KO) continues his march towards a title shot against 33-year old Chris Van Heerden (28-2-1, 12 KO).

That’s a lot of boxing to watch this week. Enjoy.

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com