Pick It: TBRB #4 Caleb Plant vs. Vincent Feigenbutz (Saturday, Fox, 8 PM EST)
Super middleweight has the pieces to be hot. It’s already plenty interesting. IBF titlist Caleb Plant (19-0, 11 KO) is a reason why. He’s got a compelling personal story, good television personality, and he can box his butt off.
Feigenbutz (31-2, 28 KO) isn’t without his chances though. He’s won ten in a row, nine by stoppage, and that means Plant will have to respect him throughout. One week from the event of the year (so far) at heavyweight, Fox has a chance to hype what’s coming and shine a light on a potentially serious player.
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday – DAZN (7 PM EST): #9 Garcia vs. Fonseca
Boxing’s social media equivalent of a “Tiger Beat” cover boy is slowly developing into the sort of fighter the grown ups take seriously. Lightweight Ryan Garcia (19-0, 15 KO) is still only 21 and might be a few years away from the big stuff, but the gradual steps up are underway. Francisco Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KO) is 3-0-1 since a decision loss to Tevin Farmer and has only been stopped once by Gervonta Davis. He’s naturally a little smaller than Garcia but he has the chance to be a real test. This is a solid Friday night with former titlist Jorge Linares and made-for-TV Blair Cobb.
Friday – Showtime (10 PM EST): ShoBox
This one could go late. Showtime will shine a light on four different prospect bouts from middleweight to Jr. featherweight. At lightweight, Thomas Mattice (15-1-1, 11 KO) faces Isaac Gonzalez (18-1-1, 14 KO), middleweight Derrick Colemon (11-0, 8 KO) faces Joseph Jackson (15-0, 12 KO), Jr. welterweight Montana Love (12-0-1, 6 KO) squares off with Jerrico Walton (16-0, 7 KO), and Raeese Aleem (15-0, 9 KO) duels with Adam Lopez (19-3-2, 9 KO). There could be some fun here.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com