By Cliff Rold

Has there ever been a pay-per-view fight where, if someone else gave the money for the purchase, it still wouldn’t feel worth the time?  It’s the question which comes to mind this weekend not once but twice. 

On Saturday, Integrated Sports, which does a great job of providing fans the chance to see bouts they otherwise could not in the U.S., will have a David Tua-Monte Barrett show available.  Those who have seen Tua recently know he’s looked better than he has in years.  That’s bad news for Barrett and a must only for Tua completists.

That’s the easy one.

The tougher call is a Top Rank show which features two fighters who somehow manage respectable ratings without respectable wins.  Boxing is a market driven sport, but does either really merit market encouragement.

The answer is below, nestled in the picks of the week.

Pick It: Fight Club (Thursday, Fox/RingTV.com, 11 PM EST)

Playing on Fox Sports affiliates means who knows what in terms of seeing this on TV live, but it will certainly be on Ring’s website and is a worthy look this week with three quality, undefeated prospects on tap.  18-year old Jr. Welterweight Frankie Gomez (3-0, 3 KO) has gone to scratch three times so far and headed for the showers early every time.  Opponent Geoffrey Gava probably can’t change the trend.  The best fight scheduled in terms of competition has another Jr. Welterweight, 21-year old Jesse Vargas (10-0, 5 KO) making a big step up in the form of veteran Ernesto Zavala (21-4, 9 KO).  The best reason to watch may not be the best fight.  The best reason to watch is the planned start for 2008 U.S. Olympian and pro Featherweight/Jr. Lightweight Gary Russell Jr. (9-0, 6 KO).  He isn’t likely to be tested by slated foe Rodrigo Aranda (8-12-2, 2 KO).  However, Russell may well be the most advanced member of his Olympic class and his upside is massive.  He merits eyes because seeing him now may be something worth remembering later on.            

Pick Solo:  Pablo Cesar Cano vs. Oscar Leon (Saturday, Telefutura, 12 AM EST/PST)
 
Mexico’s 20-year old Cano (18-0, 15 KO) is being set up to win and look good doing it at Lightweight on Solo Boxeo this week.  Oscar Leon (28-12, 18 KO) was once a world title challenger; now, he’s 36 with losses in eight of nine (six by stop).  For Leon’s sake, let’s hope this one ends early.  He doesn’t need to take a beating.  That said, Cano might be a mover and Friday Night Fights is off so, if one is home, “Quien es mas macho” and all that good stuff.      

Well…: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. John Duddy (Saturday, PPV, 9 PM EST/6 PM PST)

Pay-per-view for this might seem silly, but at least it’s not eating up budget which can be used elsewhere at a network (premium or otherwise).  Lil’ Chavez (41-0-1, 30 KO) and Duddy (29-1, 18 KO) are fighting for a WBC Silver Belt at Middleweight, which is all one needs to know to point and laugh at that ignominious honor.  Seriously, neither man is even rated in the division’s top five based on the current 160 lb. ratings at the WBC’s web site.  If Chavez’s name wasn’t, well, Chavez, would this kid even merit any attention at all based on who he’s been fighting?  Here’s the thing though: the fight might be fun.  Both have styles, and flaws, which should add up to action.  If someone else is buying, stopping for a look could be time worse spent.  However, no one’s life is likely to be the less if missed either.      

Back in seven.

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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