Pick It: TBRB #3 Nordine Oubaali vs. #4 Nonito Donaire (Saturday, Showtime, 10:00 PM EST)

What might have been had Nonito Donaire (40-6, 26 KO) camped at bantamweight instead of moving up to Jr. featherweight? Would he have challenged names like Olivares and Jofre historically? We’ll never know but to date his only loss in title action at 118 pounds was in a Fight of the Year classic with the younger Naoya Inoue.

Now 38, Donaire will try to best his own mark as the oldest man to win a belt at bantamweight against an excellent Oubaali (17-0, 12 KO). Oubaali, 34 but with less professional wear than his age might suggest, attempts to defend the WBC belt for the third time in a rescheduled showdown. This could be a gem and it comes as part of what could be a sensational show overall with Gary Antuanne Russell versus Jovanie Santiago and Subriel Matias versus Batyrzhan Jukembayev in support.

    

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday - England vs. Mishra (Fite, 6:00 AM EST)

Early risers can catch some Jr. lightweight action from Australia...for a fee. 23-year old Jackson Jon England (12-1, 7 KO) steps in with Shiva Mishra (7-3, 4 KO) in the main event. England has won eight in a row. Mishra has lost two by stoppage but has scored four stops in a row.

Friday - Mayala vs. Mwakinyo (Fite, 1:00 PM EST)

Jr. middleweights take center stage later in the day on the streaming platform...and this one is free. 40-year old Antonio Mayala (10-3-1, 6 KO) has won four in a row after a career that began in 2000 and didn’t resume until 2014. 26-year old Hassan Mwakinyo (18-2, 12 KO) will test the streak while entering with one of his own. Mwakinyo has won eight straight.

Friday - Canizales vs. Salas (Estrella, 10 PM EST)   

After almost two years on the shelf, 28-year old Carlos Canizales (22-0-1, 17 KO) is back and he’s worth a look for anyone who hasn’t seen him. The Venezuelan holds a WBA sub-title and one can hope a resumption of activity gets him closer to bigger fights. He might be the best talent in the deep Jr. flyweight class. 25-year old Esteban Salas (13-3-2, 9 KO) is 1-1-1 in his last three and a return has to start somewhere. An impressive outing wouldn’t hurt.   

Saturday - #3 Haney vs. Linares (DAZN, 8:00 PM EST)

On paper, the stiffest test in the career of 25-year old WBC lightweight titlist Devin Haney (25-0, 15 KO) is an opening bell away. 35-year old Jorge Linares (47-5, 29 KO) has won twice since a disastrous try at Jr. welterweight ended in a first round loss to Pablo Cesar Cano. Linares can’t have many chances left in what has been a roller coaster career. Can Haney take advantage of the vulnerabilities of the veteran whose losses have all come by stoppage? With Haney’s name regularly being uttered by lineal lightweight king Teofimo Lopez, this could be a significant statement fight opportunity for Haney. 

Saturday - Calvo vs. Flores (Fite, 8:00 PM EST)

Women’s light flyweight action will be available for the diehards. In the main event, 24-year old Jacky Calvo (13-6-2, 1 KO) enters off a loss to face 30-year old Leiryn Flores (17-2-1, 14 KO). Flores is 2-2 in her last four starts. 

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com