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Pick It: TBRB #1 Julian Williams vs. Jeison Rosario (Saturday, Fox, 8 PM EST)
Fox’s big investment in boxing resumes in 2020 with a trip to one of boxing’s shining lights. Jr. middleweight has delivered multiple gems in the last few years. It may have another on tap if Julian Williams (27-1-1, 16 KO) can retain in his first defense of the WBA and IBF belts in a Philly homecoming. Last year, Williams won one of the best fights of 2019 in besting Jarrett Hurd.
Now Williams may have a shot at revenge by proxy. His lone loss came at the hands of Jermall Charlo. Win here and the buzz escalates for a unification showdown with Jermell Charlo. Rosario is 7-0-1 since a lone stoppage loss.
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday – Showtime (10 PM EST): ShoBox Triple
ShoBox gets its season premiere with a trio of fights featuring what the show does best: young tigers looking for a future. The main event features undefeated Uzbek Jr. welterweight Shohjahon Ergashev (17-0, 15 KO) but the highlight of the night may come at super middleweight as undefeated Russian Vladimir Shishkin (9-0, 6 KO) faces Ulises Sierra (15-0-2, 9 KO). Undefeated Detroit Jr. bantamweight Jarico O’Quinn (13-0-1, 8 KO) will also see action.
Saturday – ESPN (10 PM EST): #5 Alvarez vs. Seals
After waiting years for a crack at light heavyweight gold, Eleider Alvarez (24-1, 12 KO) shocked Sergey Kovalev in 2018 with three knockdowns and a stoppage for the WBO crown. His long journey resulted in a short trip to the top. Alvarez was soundly outboxed in the rematch and now the 35-year old Colombian tries to scratch his way to one more shot. Seals (24-2, 18 KO) has a career making opportunity after going 5-1 since a wild mini-classic stoppage loss to Edwin Rodriguez in 2015. The loss in that run came by disqualification.
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