By Cliff Rold

Pick It: TBRB #4 Manny Pacquiao vs. #7 at 140 Adrien Broner (Saturday, Showtime PPV, 9 PM EST)

Pay-per-view hasn’t become cheaper over the years so a way to gauge the worth of a show is its overall card. Pacquiao-Broner pits two high-profile welterweights in a competitive match and that’s just the selling point.

What makes this card worth the investment beyond main event curiosity is an undercard that is genuinely compelling. Marcus Browne-Badou Jack at light heavyweight, and Nordine Oubaali-Raushee Warren resuming their 2012 Olympic rivalry at bantamweight, are both excellent support bouts. In a world of streams and options, pay-per-view boxing should have to fight for your dollar. This card is attempting to do so.  

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday – DAZN (7 PM EST): #8 Andrade vs. Akavov

While the card starts at 7, expect the main event much later. 30-year old 2008 Olympian Demetrius Andrade (26-0, 16 KO) makes his first defense of the WBO 160 lb. title against 33-year old Artur Akavov (19-2, 8 KO). Fighting on this app, one has to assume Andrade is looking for a shot down the line at lineal king Saul Alvarez. Also on the card, 32-year old TJ Doheny (20-0, 14 KO) attempts his first defense of the IBF belt in the Jr. featherweight division against 28-year old Ryohei Takahashi (16-3-1, 6 KO) with former lightweight titlist Jorge Linares in action as well.

Friday – ESPN+ (9:30 PM EST): Jennings vs. Rivas

Is there room for another player at heavyweight? We’ll find out Friday. 2008 Colombian Olympian Oscar Rivas (25-0, 17 KO) makes his step up against 34-year old former title challenger Bryant Jennings (24-2, 14 KO). Jennings has lost only to Luis Ortiz and Wladimir Klitschko and went the distance with the latter. Rivas is already 31 so there is no time to waste. He could be the next Montreal star if he gets hot. Jennings will try to cool his aspirations. The undercards begins on the app at 6:30.

Friday – TyC (9: 30 PM PM EST): Acevedo vs. Acosta

Jr. welterweight action in Argentina features 24-year old Jose Acevedo (7-0-1, 2 KO) in the main event. He will face 27-year old Miguel Acosta (12-7-2, 1 KO) in a bout that looks like it might go the scheduled ten rounds. Acosta enters off a draw and loss in his last two outings while Acevedo fought to a draw his last time out.

Saturday – TYC (10 PM EST): Ledesma vs. Nunez

Fans who don’t want to shell out for the Pacquiao show who find themselves in need of some boxing to replace it can look here. 24-year old lightweight Macarena Ayelen Ledesma (9-0, 2 KO) continues her early career against 34-year old former title challenger Marisa Nunez (8-9-2, 1 KO). Nunez lost four straight before winning her last contest.

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