Pick It: Mikey Garcia vs. Jessie Vargas (Saturday, DAZN, 8 PM EST)

 

One loss against Errol Spence can’t erase years of prior good work. After another lengthy layoff in a career with too many, four-division titlist Mikey Garcia (39-1, 30 KO) returns to the ring against the always tough Jessie Vargas (29-2-2, 11 KO).

It’s a solid fight and may not even be the best one on a really good card. WBA 115 lb. titlist Khalid Yafai (26-0, 15 KO) defends against aging great Roman Gonzalez (48-2, 40 KO) underneath. They’re joined WBC flyweight titlist Julio Cesar Martinez (15-1, 12 KO) making his first defense against Jay Harris (17-0, 9 KO). Martinez is a fun TV fighter. Former heavyweight titlist Joseph Parker is also in action making for a solid night in the ring.   

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday – UFC Fight Pass (9 PM EST): Gonzalez vs. Andujar

Jr. lightweight action tops the bill in Massachusetts. Irvin Gonzalez (13-2, 10 KO) can crack but has also been stopped. Yeuri Andujar (5-2, 3 KO) has had an uneven start to his career but heard the final bell in every fight.

Saturday – Showtime (10:45 PM EST): ShoBox

Be prepared for a late night on this one with a late starting tripleheader. In the main event, Jr. welterweight Keith Hunter (11-0, 7 KO) takes on Sanjarbek Rahkmanov (12-2-1, 6 KO). Also in action, welterweight Richardson Hitchins (10-0, 5 KO) faces Nicholas DeLomba (16-2, 5 KO) and super middleweight Kevin Newman (11-1-1, 6 KO) squares off with Genc Pllana (7-1-1, 4 KO). 

Friday – Telemundo (11:35 PM EST): Alamo vs. Castaneda

Undefeated Jr. welterweights out their future aspirations on the line. Yomar Alamo (17-0-1, 12 KO) is already rated #8 by the WBO and is making his progressions. Kendo Castaneda (17-0, 8 KO) is as well and is facing his second unbeaten four in four fights. This could be fun.

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