Pick It: TBRB #1 Gennady Golovkin vs. #3 Sergiy Derevyanchenko (Saturday, DAZN, 7 PM EST) 

The big drama show might not be as big as it once was but that doesn’t mean it’s reached a point where it’s a show to miss. Golovkin (39-1-1, 35 KO) is still swallowing the bitter pill of his narrow loss last year to Saul Alvarez. Moving forward, he has a chance to pick up a vacant strap in a clash that looks potentially thrilling on paper.

Derevyanchenko (13-1, 10 KO) brings it and will come to land, and give chances to be landed on. This could be one of the better middleweight fights of the year. A Jr. welterweight clash between former title holder Ivan Barancyk and Gabriel Bracero could mean fireworks on the undercard.

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday – ESPN+ (3 PM EST): Golden Contract Tournament

It’s the quest for steady work! Eight featherweights will compete in the UK for the chance at a five-fight promotional contract that, really, means eight fights for the winner. The gimmick is no fights were set until this week. Tournaments are often fun even if they rarely play out the way they are laid out in the chaotic world of boxing. There are worse ways to spend a Friday afternoon.    

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

If you haven’t heard of Puerto Rico’s Yomar Alamo (17-0, 12 KO) yet, you might soon enough. The 24-year old Alamo is in Friday with Mexico’s Antonio Moran (24-4, 17 KO). Moran has been stopped only once but it came in nasty fashion in May against Devin Haney. Alamo is already in the top ten at 140 for the WBO (#8) and he’ll move quickly with a few more wins.

Saturday – Showtime (9 PM EST): Shields vs. Habazin

Two-time Olympic gold medalist, former super middleweight titlist, and current undisputed middleweight queen Claressa Shields (9-0, 2 KO) moves down to her third division in pursuit of competition. The vacant WBO 154 lb. belt will be on the line when Shields faces Ivana Habazin (20-3, 7 KO) but that’s not the real prize. A win for Shields gets her within a weight class of undisputed welterweight champion Cecilia Braekhus in what would be possibly the richest fight of either’s career. Electric welterweight hopeful Jaron Ennis (23-0, 21 KO) will also be in action.

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