BoxingScene.com's Television Picks of the Week

By Cliff Rold

And exhale.

After a week where the World Lightweight and Cruiserweight titles were decided in crushing fashion, and the fourth “Contender” was crowned, the sport focuses on the hopefuls of tomorrow with a pair of cards which could produce sooner than later contenders in their respective weight classes.

After Terence Crawford Feud, Are Sanctioning Bodies Bad For Boxing?

In today’s episode, the crew breaks down one of boxing’s biggest debates after Terence Crawford went on his Instagram to complain about the WBC. Are sanctioning bodies simply part of the game, or have they completely lost control of the sport? We also take a hard look at the Ring title and ask whether it can still be considered legitimate if champions are not required to defend it.

Thursday | Dec 4, 2025

These are picks of the week.

Pick It: James Kirkland-Joel Julio AND Victor Ortiz-Mike Arnaoutis (HBO, Saturday, 10 PM EST/ PST)

The best which can be asked for often with rising stars is to see them matched tough. It’s how we find out what isn’t known. On the way up, the best prospects and burgeoning contenders can show how speed, power, and style. It takes a while to find out about their chin and character. Both 24-year old Jr. Middleweight (24-0, 21 KO) and 22-year old Jr. Welterweight Victor Ortiz (23-1-1, 18 KO) have big time star potential. Will the shine remain after Saturday? Respective opponents Julio (34-2, 31 KO) and Arnaoutis (21-2-2, 10 KO) have both been where Kirkland and Ortiz are and come away the world title level beaten men. They are formidable roadblocks in the road top such shots for the men in the spotlight. Add in a look at former Featherweight titlist Robert Guerrero and this is one heck of a nice night of fights, the second such tripleheader on HBO in less than a month.

Pick Deuce: Delvin Rodriguez-Shamone Alvarez (ESPN2, Friday, 9 PM EST/6 PM PST)

While Kirkland and Ortiz seek a path to the next level, so too will the slightly more seasoned but ultimately as yet unfulfilled Welterweight careers of Rodriguez (23-2-2, 14 KO) and Alvarez (20-1, 11 KO). Rodriguez comes in off of a controversial draw with former Nate Campbell conqueror Issac Hlatshawyo while Alvarez tries to rebound from a lopsided loss to current IBF divisional titlist Joshua Clottey. It’s unlikely either of these two will ever reach the heights of the 147 lb. class, but they don’t know that yet and will fight to try. It could make a fight worth a look.

Pick Classic: Evander Holyfield-Dwight Muhammad Qawi I (ESPN Classic, Wednesday 10 PM EST/7 PM PST)

There are people who still haven’t seen this one. If anyone reading is one of them, get thee to the tube on Wednesday or at least set the DVR. This is the first great Holyfield war and, no hyperbole, one of the greatest fifteen round wars in the history of Boxing. It was also, in many respects, the last stand for the Camden Buzzsaw after strong runs at Light Heavyweight and the Cruiserweight run Holyfield ended in 1986. It’s Holyfield-Qawi for God’s sake, required viewing for any lover of fisticuffs.

Back in seven.

Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com