By Cliff Rold

It was like old times, a Heavyweight megafight capturing the attention of fight fans everywhere.  Of course, they weren’t boxing Heavyweights.  Even as boxing fans found themselves peeking over the fence at Brock Lesnar-Shane Carwin with respect for the action, there had to be a hint of envy.

It’s been years since boxing had a big man clash as compelling.  As this site’s David Greisman mused on this week , it could be awhile before it does.  There will always be superfights, but there is something extra special about Heavyweight drama at the highest levels.  Pound for pound is great and all, but Heavyweight is still where the literal baddest boxer on the planet will be found.

One of these days, a moment of truth in that sentiment will be felt again.

There’s nothing notably heavy on the schedule this next seven days, but there is potential for heavy doses of violence, especially on Saturday.  These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: #2 Juan Manuel Lopez vs. #10 Bernabe Concepcion (Saturday, Showtime, 9 PM EST/PST)

Four pounds might have made a difference for the legs of WBO Featherweight titlist Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KO).  Looking vulnerable in his last outing at 122, Lopez was his destructive self again against Steven Luevano at 126 earlier this year.  Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KO) may not be refined but he’s got enough punch to test the theory.  That’s if he can land.  The skills gap in this one is palpable but not matter.  It should be fun.  So too should a 115 lb. co-feature with Nonito Donaire (23-1, 15 KO) taking on Hernan Marquez (27-1, 20 KO).  Marquez enters off a decision loss; he should be expected to receive at least this much this weekend.  However, with summer feeling a wee dry in the sweet science, a spotlight show for two of the game’s best under 30, with at least nominally competitive foes on tap, makes for the easy pick of the week.

Pick Deuce: Hank Lundy-John Molina (Friday, ESPN2, 10 PM EST/7 PM PST)

Molina (20-1, 16 KO) was, just two fights ago, an undefeated Lightweight who looked like a comer.  He knows the shoes Lundy (18-0-1, 10 KO) stands in heading towards Friday and will rightly want to knock Lundy out of them.  Good for the viewers.  Molina, is losing to veteran Martin Honorio, didn’t lose his promise and a win over Lundy would have him back on track for contention.  A loss would be two steps back.  In a game where fighters struggle for attention against tides of inactivity, that can be an unforgiving slot.  This should be a heck of a scrap and, action wise, maybe the fight of the week.

Sho Boxing: Mike Jones-Irving Garcia (Friday, Showtime, 11 PM EST/PST)
 
Welterweight Mike Jones (21-0, 17 KO) might be a champion in the making.  He also might be the next Chris Smith, a promising talent undone by the sin of just being good.  It’s too soon to say either way.  Jones looked ordinary against veteran Henry Bruseles two fights ago and doesn’t have the sort of test on tap in Garcia (17-4-3, 8 KO) who appears a serious threat.  Welterweight, despite much hoopla, is light below the upper echelon (at least until today’s monster Jr. Welterweight class begins moving up).  Jones could be a factor sooner than later.  Or not.  He’s worth watching for now either way.       

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