Weekend Boxing Preview: David Haye vs. John Ruiz Highlights a Stong Weekend

Yet another weekend is upon us so that means another boxing preview is needed. This should prove to be a solid weekend of boxing after last week's title fight bonanza.

American fight fans are in for an action-packed TV weekend. The fact that the David Haye and John Ruiz fight didn’t make it to American TV is a disappointment.

Friday, April 2

(ESPN FNF)

Delvin Rodriguez (24-4-2 14 KO) vs. Mike Arnaoutis (22-4-2 10 KO) (147 lb.)

This is yet another good scrap on Friday Night Fights. Both of these guys have almost got to the top of the hill but fell short. Rodriguez lost his last two fights against Rafal Jackiewicz and Isaac Hlatshwayo. He is 1-2-1 in his last four overall.

He had a close win over Shamone Alvarez, a clear loss and disputed draw with Hlatshwayo, and the close loss to Jackiewicz.

The Jackiewicz fight was an IBF title eliminator and the Hlatshwayo fight was for the vacant IBF title. Rodriguez has held the USBA title on two occasions.

Arnaoutis has lost two of his last three. He is moving up from 140 pounds for this fight. He was totally outclassed by Victor Ortiz and knocked out in the second round. In his last fight he was beaten closely (and some say robbed) by Tim Coleman.

Arnaoutis has held the WBO, NABO and USBA light welterweight titles. The four losses all came against top opponents: 12-round split decisions to Ricardo Torres and Tim Coleman, an unanimous decision to Kendall Holt and TKO'd by Victor Ortiz.

This should be a decent scrap that goes the distance.

 Demetrius Andrade (9-0 7 KO) vs. Geoffery Spruill (8-8 2 KO) (154 lb.)

Andrade was a good amateur fighter who fought in the Beijing Olympics. He also won the 2007 world amateur championship. As of right now he is far away from title contention, but is one to watch.

Andrade could be a future opponent for Erislandy Lara if both keep winning. This card starts at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.

(Showtime)

Erislandy Lara (10-0 6 KO) vs. Danny Perez (34-6 17 KO) (154 lb.)

Lara may get less press than Yuriorkis Gamboa but he may turn out better. Lara is a three-time amateur world champion.

Perez, a former world title challenger, is a step back from Lara’s last opponent Grady Brewer. This should be a showcase for Lara.

Perez is past his best but has never been knocked out. If Lara could knock him out it would send a statement to the 154-pound division. Currently, I'd take Lara against most of the 154-pound titlist.

This fight starts on Showtime at 11 p.m.

Saturday, April 3

David Haye (23-1 21 KO) vs. John Ruiz (44-8-1 30 KO) (WBA heavyweight title)

This is by far the best fight of the weekend and it’s a shame that they couldn’t find a place for it on American TV. This is the first defense of Haye’s WBA title.

Haye is on a great run, but Ruiz should be a good test. Haye beat Nikolay Valuev for the title in a dreadful fight. Ruiz has been a title contender what seems like forever.

He actually has been in or around the title picture since 1997. He won his first title before Haye even turned pro. Ruiz is only 3-3 in his last six but the two losses to Valuev, in my opinion, should have gone his way.

He doesn’t have the speed or power advantage but he is a natural heavyweight.

He has some pop to threaten Haye's weak chin. Ruiz gets a bad wrap for being boring, but he hasn’t looked as lackluster of late.

He can pull off the upset.

I wouldn’t be surprised if he did. He has been counted out before, but seemed to find a way to win or at least be competitive. Haye could get frustrated by Ruiz's style, which could cause him to make mistakes.

Haye could run away with this if he takes advantage of his speed and reflexes. Hopefully, if Haye wins boxing fans can see him go at it with one of the Klitschko brothers.

George Groves (8-0 6 KO) vs. Charles Adamu (17-4 12 KO) (Commonwealth (British Empire) super middleweight title)

Groves is one of the brightest prospects in the U.K. and his camp is moving him along swiftly with an early title shot. He is definitely someone to keep an eye on.

Golden Boy/Square Ring PPV

Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1 32 KO) vs. Roy Jones Jr. (54-6 40 KO) (175 lb.)

I debated even including this card in the weekend preview. All I can say is that this is a battle of two sure fire Hall of Famers. One is thought to be washed up - Jones Jr. - and one is thought to have some left, Hopkins.

Jones Jr. still has a hint of speed but his power is gone, while his reflexes don’t help him anymore. Hopkins is still thought to be good because his style lends itself to that.

This is a rematch that is 10 years too late.

The only compelling aspect seems to be Hopkins hatred of his “rival” Jones.

Jason Litzau (26-2 21 KO) vs. Rocky Juarez (28-5-1 20 KO) (130 lb. NABF title)

This fight would be a good dustup on ESPN's Friday Night Fights. As far as this Pay-Per-View card is concerned this is the most interesting fight.

Although Juarez has suffered five losses he is a talented fighter.

His losses are against Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Juan Manuel Marquez, Humberto Soto and Chris John.

He put up good fights against Barrera and John the first time they fought, but was beaten soundly in rematches. We know Juarez doesn’t throw enough punches. When he does he could beat anyone on any night.

Litzau has lost to Jose Andres Hernandez which was a surprise at the time. His other loss was to Robert Guerrero in a title bid. He is below the world title level and garnered too much publicity by ESPN.

Litzau is all action and Juarez has a tendency to be lethargic in the ring. When Juarez lets his hand go, has good power and if he will throw this fight could be interesting.

Sergio Mora (21-1-1 5 KO) vs. Calvin Green (21-4-3 13 KO) (154 lb.)

This is strictly a comeback fight for Mora. Since his title win over the late Vernon Forrest he has done nothing. He lost to Forrest in the return fight and hasn’t fought since.

Green is a club fighter and will be outclassed by Mora.

 Ismayl Sillakh (11-0 10 KO) vs. Daniel Judah (23-4-3 10 KO) (200 lb. NABF title)

Sillakh is a good prospect and has waxed almost everyone he has faced. However, he hasn’t faced anyone of note yet and Judah will be a big step-up.

Judah has faced a who’s who of fighters at 175 pounds. Glen Johnson, Yusaf Mack, Eric Harding are among the fighters he has faced. The only fighter to knock out Judah was Darnell “Ding-A-Ling Man” Wilson. If Sillakh knocks him out his power is for real.

(Fox Sports Net)

Miguel Garcia (20-0 17 KO) vs. Tomas Villa (22-6-4 14 KO) (126 lb.)

Garcia is a Top Rank prospect and this will be his toughest test to date. Garcia’s best win came against Walter Estrada, which isn't considered great.

Villa is an action fighter and was a 2008 fight of the year candidate for his battle with Rogers Mtagwa.

If Garcia can't put Villa down early this will become a very good scrap.

Mike Alvarado (26-0 18 KO) vs. Lenin Arroyo (20-11-1 4 KO) (147 lb.)

Alvarado is a decent prospect but time is not on his side. He was out of action for a long time due to legal problems. At 29 he needs to make a quick move  or he will miss the boat.

Arroyo shouldn’t pose much of a threat. He has lost his last four fights.