BoxingScene.com's Television Picks of the Week

by Cliff Rold

After one of the best weekends of boxing all year, maybe in the last couple years, this weekend is headlined by something any fight fan can miss.

Or can they?

At the tune of pay-per-view cash during the mad Christmas season, is paying to see a great fighters kid versus a “Raging Bull” not named LaMotta really worth it?  For certain it’s no red Ryder BB Gun.

But might there be a gift or two snuck in there below the main event?

These are the picks of the week.

Pick Chavez (Undercard): #1 at Jr. Bantamweight Nonito Donaire Vs. Wladimir Sidorenko  (Saturday, PPV, 9 PM EST/6 PM PST)

Being fair, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Pawel Wolak don’t make bad fights, and give honest efforts in the ring.  Anyone who wants to fork over to see either man ply their trade is more than welcome.  That’s the main event.  Those with more discerning tastes (when it comes to adding to the ol’ cable bill) could have trouble resisting this show too because the red meat is there.  The chief support bout takes place in (arguably) boxing’s best division. Donaire (24-1, 16 KO), the talented former Flyweight titlist, is matched as tough as he has been in a couple of years.  Across the ring, fresh off a tune-up and lengthy layoff, is the skilled former Bantamweight titlist Sidorenko (22-2-2, 7 KO).  This could be a fine chess match.  If blood and guts is more desirable, WBC Lightweight titlist Humberto Soto (53-7-2, 32 KO) is defending against once-beaten Urbano Antillon (28-1, 20 KO).  This could be some real caveman stuff before it’s over and, together, those two fights make for an enticing night of boxing.  Is the price right?  That’s going to be a consumer call.

Pick Up and Coming: (Friday, Showtime, 11 PM EST/PST)
 
ShoBox is one of the real gems of boxing broadcasting.  Cruiserweight has been, for a good long while, a place to find good action fights.  This week might not qualify for the latter, at least not if the spotlight player keeps to form.  Lateef Kayode (14-0, 13 KO) hasn’t gone the route since a four round decision win in his pro debut.  Ed Perry (18-4-2, 11 KO) has never been stopped.  It’s been promising to see Kayode score stops both early and as late as round eight. However, more rounds are always a good thing to and Perry might give him some.  Can he give more?   

Pick Espanol: Saul Alvarez vs. Lovemore N’Dou (Saturday, HBO Latino, 12:30 AM EST/9:30 PM PST)

If fans on the East Coast purchased the Chavez show, are still home, and need some more fights in their lives, this show ought to do the ticket.  The red-headed Alvarez (34-0-1, 26 KO) is either a future international fistic superstar or an exposure waiting to happen.  He’s coming off an impressive knockout of former Welterweight champion Carlos Baldomir and faces a never before stopped former Jr. Welterweight beltholder in N’Dou (48-11-2, 31 KO).  Featherweight contender Daniel Ponce De Leon (40-2, 33 KO) is also scheduled for the show.  That’s not a bad nightcap (or DVR option to be taken with Sunday pancakes).

Back in seven.

For BoxingScene’s latest full divisional ratings, log on to: https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=boxing-ratings

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