Mayweather, Teofimo, Loma, Tank, Inoue: Boxing’s best fights June 2021

June has numerous fights to select from for a prime 10 of the month’s boxing choices.

Positively numerous fights to select from.

Are they a good lot of fights to select from? Properly, there’s the rub.

Boxing’s had begin to 2021, consider it or not (when you don’t wish to consider that, you received’t), however whereas we now have loads of names in motion in June, the matchups are largely left wanting for competitiveness, no less than on paper.

Point out, Not Essentially Honorable

Photograph by EVA MARIE UZCATEGUI/AFP by way of Getty Photographs

Boxing’s greatest business occasion of the month will completely be the June 6 Showtime PPV foremost occasion that includes Floyd Mayweather and Logan Paul. Observe that I’m not calling it a “battle,” or am I saying it’s “between” them. It’s an leisure occasion that includes them. It’s an exhibition, it has been stated again and again that that is “leisure,” which can also be what WWE calls their programming.

I’m tremendous with it current. However it’s not a battle.

One which will probably be an actual, sanctioned battle if it occurs is the June 19 PPV matchup between Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Anderson “Spider” Silva. Silva is a combined martial arts legend, one of many biggest of all time in that sport, and 1-1 in his profession as a boxer, combating as soon as in 1998 and as soon as in 2005, each occasions in Brazil. For years, he and Roy Jones Jr talked about doing a battle, however it by no means occurred. Nonetheless might, I suppose, given how silly boxing has gotten in several methods.

However Silva is 46 years outdated now and hasn’t even received in MMA since 2017, and that victory over Derek Brunson at UFC 208 was his first since 2012 (he had a 2015 win over Nick Diaz overturned for drug take a look at failures).

That is meant to be a 180 lb catchweight, so we’ll see if Chavez bothers making weight. He’s by no means weighed 180 on the scales for a battle, thoughts you, by no means greater than simply over 175, however it’s JCC Jr in order that and him quitting with some excuse or different is at all times on the desk. So is him pulling out of the battle late.

10) Shakur Stevenson vs Jeremiah Nakathila, June 12 (ESPN)
9) Jose Pedraza vs Julian Rodriguez, June 12 (ESPN)

Photograph by Mikey Williams/Prime Rank by way of Getty Photographs

The principle occasion within the No. 10 slot, the co-feature at No. 9, so let’s simply put these collectively.

Stevenson (15-0, 8 KO) completely passes each eye take a look at. He briefly held a title at 126, couldn’t get battle, moved as much as 130, and now could be, uh, struggling to get battle. That is for the interim WBO title, with Nakathila (21-1, 17 KO) his opponent, a 31-year-old from Namibia with an empty document. That doesn’t imply he can’t battle, however it signifies that on paper he’s an enormous underdog towards one of the crucial proficient younger fighters within the sport.

There stays an opportunity this may very well be for the complete WBO title, as there was a contractual factor there, however it’s additionally attainable everybody might comply with have WBO titlist Jamel Herring unify towards WBC titlist Oscar Valdez, then Stevenson is assured — actually, this time — the winner of that battle.

Pedraza (28-3, 13 KO) appeared sharp in two Vegas “bubble” fights final yr, beating Mikkel LesPierre and Javier Molina. That’s not the ace stage of competitors at 140, however he appeared snug on the weight, way more so than he did shedding to Jose Zepeda in 2019. However Zepeda’s a severe contender, too. Pedraza, a former titlist at 130 and 135, continues to be technician and fighter. Rodriguez (21-0, 14 KO) is a 26-year-old from New Jersey, taking a severe step up at school right here, it’s a sink-or-swim matchup for him.

8) Rob Brant vs Janibek Alimkhanuly, June 26 (ESPN)

The 30-year-old Brant (26-2, 18 KO) is a former secondary WBA titlist at middleweight, who has seemingly deserted his plan to face Ryota Murata a 3rd time. He upset Murata in 2018, and it was a legit win, however Murata crushed him of their 2019 rematch within two rounds. The plan initially, as spoken then, was for Brant to take a tune-up after which battle Murata a 3rd time. Didn’t pan out, partly resulting from COVID, however nonetheless hasn’t.

Brant appeared good final we noticed him, although, dominating towards Vitalii Kopylenko in Aug. 2020. Alimkhanuly (9-0, 5 KO) is a Kazakh southpaw, 28 years outdated, has appeared good as a professional however like Rodriguez towards Pedraza, it is a severe step up on paper, he’s stepping into with a confirmed man who can battle.

7) Naoya Inoue vs Michael Dasmarinas, June 19 (ESPN)

Inoue (20-0, 17 KO) is the No. 1 bantamweight on this planet, one of many prime pound-for-pound fighters on this planet, and a real “must-see” man. He’s appointment viewing. He’s somebody it’s a must to watch battle.

Sadly, he’s stacked up on an absurdly busy boxing evening, as a result of nobody thought June 18 could be good to do as an alternative of being one among 5 (5) playing cards on Saturday, and his opponent, Dasmarinas (30-2-1, 20 KO), shouldn’t be anticipated to be a problem. The Filipino southpaw — nicknamed “Sizzling and Spicy,” which guidelines — is a compulsory challenger whose 2019 win over Kenny Demecillo has gotten him a battle that will go very badly, however no less than may finish in a short time. His finest win was actually over Karim Guerfi again in 2018, and he’s by no means confronted anybody at precise world stage.

This battle is right here as a result of Inoue is that good and that value watching.

6) Bektemir Melikuziev vs Gabriel Rosado, June 19 (DAZN)

Photograph by Tom Hogan/Golden Boy/Getty Photographs

Melikuziev (7-0, 6 KO), aka “Bully Bek,” was recently given a four-year ban by AIBA for violating anti-doping rules in 2019, however the beginner boxing governing physique doesn’t have any bearing on his skilled profession, so this battle goes forward.

The 25-year-old Uzbek southpaw was meant to face Sergey Kovalev in January, however Kovalev failed a drug take a look at, so Melikuziev is having an eventful yr of headlines, actually. He fought on Feb. 13, smashing an over-matched Morgan Fitch in three, and will get a greater matchup right here, one which I truly like so much for what it’s.

Rosado (25-13-1, 14 KO) gave up having a fairly document a very long time in the past, however the 35-year-old has traditional Philly qualities — he’s powerful, gritty, good, and normally has plan. Rosado’s no nice fighter or something, however he’s take a look at for Bek, and a greater fighter than his document. Melikuziev ought to win it clearly if he’s the actual deal, but when he’s acquired flaws for Rosado to show, Rosado will expose them, even when he will get the quick finish of the stick ultimately.

5) Jaime Munguia vs Maciej Sulecki, June 19 (DAZN)

Munguia (36-0, 29 KO) is a former titlist at 154 and together with Ryan Garcia (for now) and Vergil Ortiz Jr, one among three fighters giving Golden Boy Promotions a pulse for the time being.

Munguia is a flawed fighter, however it’s additionally simple to overlook he’s nonetheless solely 24 years outdated. He’s by no means going to turn into being some nice technician, he’s by no means going to all of the sudden develop higher hand velocity or hermetic protection, however he’s somebody who with the best teaching can completely maximize what he’s, which is a enjoyable fighter to observe with a “Mexican fashion” and a few star high quality. He received’t be Canelo Alvarez. He might completely be a much less villainous Antonio Margarito.

Sulecki (29-2, 11 KO) is usually a bit inconsistent, however Munguia had a horrible time with Dennis Hogan as soon as, and it wasn’t that Hogan was some marvelous, world class championship contender. When you can fluster Munguia and get him to make errors, you is usually a downside. Sulecki has had 4 fights of actual observe: A stable win over Jack Culcay in 2017, a aggressive loss to Daniel Jacobs in 2018, a slender win over Gabriel Rosado in 2019, and a shutout loss to Demetrius Andrade in 2020. Like I stated, inconsistent outcomes there — his finest all-around efficiency may need truly been towards Jacobs — however he’s the best kind of opponent for Munguia at the moment.

4) Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jr, June 19 (Triller PPV)

Lopez (16-0, 12 KO) defends his WBA, IBF, and WBO light-weight titles towards IBF obligatory Kambosos (19-0, 10 KO) in a battle that’s such a blockbuster that it acquired bullied off of its authentic June 5 date by Mayweather-Logan Paul deciding to take June 6.

Like Inoue-Dasmarinas, most aren’t anticipating a lot right here. Kambosos talks some good trash and can inform you all about his 32,000 rounds sparring with Manny Pacquiao. However it’s not like he went out and beat the crap out of Mickey Bey or Lee Selby within the two wins that acquired him right here.

Additionally like Inoue-Dasmarinas, this contains a “must-see” A-side, and I do assume that if Kambosos is gonna go, he’s gonna go on his defend throwing every thing he’s acquired at Teofimo. I can’t say I see the identical coming from Dasmarinas, who frankly may not final lengthy sufficient to seek out his defend.

3) Erickson Lubin vs Jeison Rosario, June 26 (Showtime PPV)

Photograph by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Photographs

You might argue this because the precise finest matchup of the month. Lubin (23-1, 16 KO) continues to be most likely best-known (he wouldn’t say “finest”) for his first spherical KO loss to Jermell Charlo again in 2017.

However Lubin was a 22-year-old prospect rushed into that battle forward of schedule. He needed it and took the crack, and it was a mistake. Since then is what actually counts to me, simply as an observer. He accepted the L, brushed himself off, and acquired again to work. He’s since grow to be a greater, smarter fighter, somebody who’s beginning to ship on the promise he had going into that Charlo bout. He’s received 5 straight since then, and has continued to get sharper and extra mature within the ring.

Now 25, he’s way more prepared for the step up. Rosario (20-2-1, 14 KO) is a wild card at 154. Right here’s a man who went to a draw with Marcos Hernandez, a club-level kind of fighter (albeit a scrappy one) in 2018, acquired a win in a rematch in 2019, narrowly beat Jorge Cota that very same yr, after which shocked the world battering Julian “J-Rock” Williams to open 2020.

Rosario additionally fought Charlo in 2020, and whereas he had his moments within the battle, he was over-powered and knocked out within the eighth spherical. It’s an opportunity for both of those guys to chase down a Charlo rematch and attempt to even that rating. That is must-win for each in the event that they wish to get there quickly.

2) Vasiliy Lomachenko vs Masayoshi Nakatani, June 26 (ESPN)

This one might wind up fascinating stylistically. Lomachenko (14-2, 10 KO) reportedly got here into this Oct. 2020 loss to Teofimo Lopez with a bum shoulder, didn’t do something for six rounds, and misplaced the battle. He’s not taken it very effectively, and has additionally since had shoulder surgical procedure.

Lomachenko carries a honest conceitedness that has completed so much for him as a fighter, but in addition might have been his downfall towards Teofimo, as he fought for half the battle like he figured it’d all simply come to him and open up earlier than him at any second. It by no means actually did, although he narrowed the hole late until you have been Julie Lederman.

Loma can also be 33 years outdated and small at 135 lbs. Nakatani (19-1, 13 KO) is a really large light-weight, tall and rangy, with punching energy and the power to take good photographs and get well even when he will get harm. He went a full, arduous 12 with Teofimo again in 2019, and got here again to attain a extremely spectacular stoppage victory in his final bout in December towards Felix Verdejo.

Lomachenko ought to completely be the favourite right here, and clearly, however this one could be a little bit of a tactical mistake. However, it’s an opportunity for Lomachenko to exit and actually attempt to cube up an enormous, robust light-weight and placed on extra of a present doing it than Teofimo did.

1) Gervonta Davis vs Mario Barrios, June 26 (Showtime PPV)

This most likely received’t be No. 1 for lots of you, however I’m legitimately intrigued by this battle.

Davis (24-0, 23 KO) is a rattling good fighter, somebody whose abilities I consider in, I believe he’s the actual deal. However Tank goes to be a fully tiny junior welterweight, which is the place he’ll be combating Barrios (26-0, 17 KO).

That stated, I believe it’s a really calculated threat, and possibly a sensible one. Barrios is tall, he’ll have 4 or 5 inches on Davis, however he additionally began his profession at 122 and first actually settled in at 130 earlier than transferring up for good in 2017.

Nonetheless, it’s numerous dimension, and Barrios has fought at this weight for years now, he’s crammed out and could be very snug now at 26. He’s additionally a tricky child who has been examined towards Batyr Akhmedov and got here by means of it. Davis has nice energy, quick fingers, is basically explosive offensively — at 126 and 130. He did not look fairly so explosive at 135 towards a shot and in addition one-legged Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2019.

Like I stated, calculated threat. We’ll see if it pays off. In a month with no clear-cut prime battle, this will get the nod for me.