by Cliff Rold

A busy week for boxing is coming.  It’s not this one.  Where we exit a week of Cruiser-war and a spirited HBO double, and await a Heavyweight tilt and intriguing Showtime pair, this week is about a rising…

…it’s too early to say star.  Talent is surely a fair word.  Is 2012 the year the talent truly begins to blossom into the contender?

These are the picks of the week.

Pick It: Demetrius Andrade vs. Derek Ennis (Friday, ESPN2, 9 PM EST/6 PM PST)

Andrade (15-0, 10 KO), 23-years old and a member of the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, was being brought along at a ginger pace until 2011.  Matters began to step up for the Jr. Middleweight/Middleweight hopeful (with his frame, assume he ultimately settles in the latter).  Wins over veterans Grady Brewer and Saul Duran were a step in the right direction.  Ennis (23-3-1, 13 KO) appears a step back.  All of his losses have come by knockout and were not long on resistance.  Andrade has been hit or miss in terms of how watchable he is and, despite early praise, has fallen well behind Olympic teammate in terms of buzz.  A highlight reel knockout could help and that may be what is in play here.  Undefeated Welterweight Ray Serrano (17-0, 8 KO) is matched with Ray Abril (11-4-1, 6 KO) in support.  It’s not a great card, but it’s on and boxing doesn’t have much better on the tube this week.    

Pick Espanol: Orlando Cruz vs. Alejandro Delgado (Friday, Telemundo, 11:35 PM EST)

Fans of Featherweights likely to hit each plenty will be entertained with this one. Cruz (17-2-1, 8 KO) and Delgado (15-5, 7 KO) both know what it’s like to hear the bell end a fight early and be on the wrong side.  Both Cruz’s losses have come inside the route; Delgado in one of five defeats.  These two are vulnerable and likely to fight like hell on a night where victory is possible for both.  I want my Telemundo.       

Pick YouTube: #6 Luis Lazarte vs. Johnriel Casimero (Friday, Argentina)

Chances are none outside Argentina will see this one but YouTube is the glimmer of hope.  The 40-year old Lazarte (49-10-2, 18 KO), a former titlist at Jr. Flyweight, is not above cheating like hell in the ring.  He’s on his turf so we’ll see (or at least read about) how liberally the rules are applied.  The Filipino Casimero (15-2, 9 KO) has flirted with contention and, at 21, may still only be on a learning curve.  The IBF has an interim bauble up for grabs.  This could be worth a look. 

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