Pick It: TBRB #1 Moruti Mthalane vs. Sunny Edwards (Friday, ESPN, 2:00 PM EST)

Heavyweights will dominate the headlines this weekend but this could end up being the most interesting fight of the weekend. If it isn’t, it still features one of the most interesting fighters of his time. How good is IBF flyweight titlist Moruti Mthalane (39-2, 26 KO)?

Unbeaten since a competitive and unlucky loss on a cut to Nonito Donaire in 2008, the 38-year old has wins over Zolani Tete and Johnriel Casimero but was swallowed by career stalling issues when the division got red hot with the likes of Juan Francisco Estrada and Roman Gonzalez and still seeks his landmark bout. 25-year old Sunny Edwards (15-0, 4 KO) has some talent and the sort of youth that could force Mthalane to wonder what might have been. Keep winning and Mthalane can hope there is still a chance to put an exclamation point on his career. Jr. featherweight Olympian Michael Conlan will also be in action.      

 

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday - Marriaga vs. Jimenez (Estrella, 10:00 PM EST)   

34-year old featherweight Miguel Marriaga (29-4, 25 KO) has had a commendable career. It just hasn’t been one where he ever quite got over the hump. Losses to Nicholas Walters, Oscar Valdez, and Vasyl Lomachenko are nothing to feel bad about. Marriaga is coming off a loss to Joet Gonzalez and hangs on the brink of gatekeeping for good. Jorge Jimenez (14-3-1, 11 KO) has been stopped twice and should allow the veteran to stave off tomorrow a little longer.

Saturday - #9 Parker vs. Chisora (DAZN, 1:00 PM EST)

29-year old Joseph Parker (28-2, 21 KO) looked blue chip early on with quick hands, power, and aggression. As his competition improved, aggression has often been replaced by tentativeness. He won a major belt, but it could easily be recalled as a footnote without a sharp turn. 37-year old Dereck Chisora (32-10, 23 KO) might have the sort of style to bring something better out of Parker. Based on wins and losses, Chisora has rarely been more than an opponent for better heavyweights but he’s entertaining often enough in the role to keep steady work. Parker should win here. What matters is how he does it. Two of the best in the world, light heavyweight Dmitry Bivol and lightweight queen Katie Taylor, are also in action.   

Saturday - #4 Ruiz vs. Arreola (Fox PPV, 9:00 PM EST)

This one might not be worth the extra cheese for everyone but does anyone think it will be boring? 31-year old former heavyweight titlist Andy Ruiz (33-2, 22 KO) looks like a new man and that’s something to be interested in because of when it’s happening. Ruiz didn’t get in shape for another title shot; it appears he got in shape to change his career. This could be the beginning of a new phase for him. 40-year old Chris Arreola (38-6-1, 33 KO) never got as far as Ruiz despite three shots at belts but with an upset could extend his paid tenure with arguably the best win of his career. Throw in some fun names on the undercard like Sebastian Fundora and Omar Figueroa and there are worse ways to spend a Saturday. Erislandy Lara highlights the action on Fox beginning at 7 PM EST prior to the pay-per-view. 

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