Pick It: Kell Brook vs. Amir Khan (Saturday, ESPN+, 1:00 PM EST)

After all these years, two of the UK’s finest square off in a grudge match that has already delivered venom in the war of words on the way to the ring. Almost a decade in the making, both men enter well removed from their championship days but, with both at 35, can hope to use this fight to vault toward another big payday.

Brook (39-3, 27 KO) makes his first start since a knockout loss to Terence Crawford in 2020. Brook is 3-3 in his last six, all of the losses inside the route. Khan makes his first start since a win over Billy Dib in 2019. Khan is 3-2 since 2016 with both his losses by stoppage. Given the vulnerabilities, this one is unpredictable and should have a hot crowd.   

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday - Ortiz vs. Albright (Showtime, 9:00 PM EST)

ShoBox kicks off a little earlier than normal with lightweights in the spotlight. Undefeated 25-year old Jamaine Ortiz (14-0-1, 8 KO) squares off with 26-year old Nahir Albright (14-1, 7 KO). Albright hasn’t lost since a four-round points loss in his pro debut. It’s part of a tripleheader doing what ShoBox does best: casting a light on what might be boxing’s tomorrow.

Saturday - Linares vs. Abdullaev (ESPN+, 9:30 AM EST)

Early risers will catch lightweight action from Russia in this main event. 36-year old former lightweight titlist Jorge Linares (47-6, 29 KO) showed he still has something in the tank in a loss to Devin Haney. Fighting with focus and fire, Linares hung around and gave the younger man a scare late. Still, Linares is 3-3 in his last six with knockout losses to Vasyl Lomachenko and Pablo Cesar Cano. The back nine is being walked. The 27-year old Zaur Abdullaev (14-1, 7 KO) knows Haney too. Haney forced a corner surrender in a one-sided affair. It is Abdullaev’s only loss to date. 

Saturday - TBRB #5 Munguia vs. Ballard (DAZN, 9:00 PM EST)

Still only 25, former Jr. middleweight titlist Jaime Munguia (38-0, 30 KO) is keeping active with an eye toward an eventual title shot at middleweight. 28-year old D’Mitrius Ballard (21-0-1, 13 KO) is 1-0-1 with a No Contest in his last three fights. This is a chance to burst from the pack against a Munguia with both some profile and vulnerability. There is also a solid undercard bout featuring promising 25-year old lightweight William Zepeda (24-0, 22 KO) against 28-year old Yerel Siezar (19-0, 8 KO).

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