BoxingScene.com's Television Picks of the Week
by Cliff Rold
From one young Mexican ticket seller to another, the focus on U.S. television was and is the future on the Saturdays sandwiching Thanksgiving. Julio Cesar Chavez got his chance to shine on the HBO stage last week. This week, “Canelo” is served with a side of Cintron.
And from there, it’s a scramble to find more fistiana.
These are the picks of the week.
Pick It: #6 Saul Alvarez vs. Kermit Cintron (Saturday, HBO, 10:30 PM EST/PST)
For now, Juan Manuel Marquez can probably claim to be Mexico’s fistic leader with Jorge Arce maintaining a slot as beloved among his countryman. Behind them, Alvarez (38-0-1, 28 KO) and Chavez might be best positioned to be Mexico’s superstar of tomorrow. The only problem might be the fighters, both of whom may be too limited to carry to the mantle over the long haul. They’ll be made to try and the WBC 154 lb. titlist Alvarez makes a step up this weekend. Cintron (33-4-1, 28 KO) might not be a perfect fighter, but he’s good enough to make clear the imperfections of someone unprepared for prime time. He outboxed Alfredo Angulo when the slugger was undefeated. Given his vastly more defined experience, he could do the same here. It’s an intriguing contest and one sure to have some fireworks. Undefeated Adrien Broner (21-0, 17 KO) will also be on the undercard for a vacant WBO belt at 130 lbs. Let’s hope fans get the Broner who fought Jason Litzau and not the one who fought Daniel Ponce De Leon. After all, it’s nice to go into the main event awake.
Pick Almost Heavy: #5 Krzysztof Wlodarczyk vs. #10 Danny Green (Saturday, Australia, ?)
Fans will probably have to hope for a YouTube viewing by Sunday if they don’t have access live. There will be no U.S. TV and it’s too bad because this is a fun little scrap on paper. Green (31-4, 27 KO) is coming off a loss to Antonio Tarver. The WBC Cruiserweight titlist Wlodarczyk (45-2-1, 32 KO) should be coming off a loss. He got a big benefit of the doubt against Francisco Palacios at home in Poland earlier this year. He’ll be on the road for the first time since 2009 and represents arguably the best Cruiser Green has seen to date. The leather will surely fly.
Pick Arce: #7 at 122 Jorge Arce vs. Angky Angkotta (Saturday, Mexico, ?)
Another bout without U.S. TV, this is a farce in title terms. How on earth is Arce (58-6-2, 45 KO), last seen wearing the WBO honors at 122 lbs., versus Angkotta (25-5, 14 KO) a vacant title fight at 118 lbs.? Angkotta has fought, and won, once since losing to Arce in January 2010. Bantamweight is one of boxing best divisions. That this is the best the WBO can do is a damn joke. Screw them. But, hey, it’s Arce and he’s fun to watch as a fan so there you go.
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
