Premier Boxing Champions 2015: Fight Card and TV Schedule for May 9
Two relative newcomers to the 140-pound division will take aim at one another in Saturday's Premier Boxing Champions card from Hidalgo, Texas. Undefeated former lightweight champion and Weslaco, Texas, native Omar Figueroa Jr. (24-0-1, 18 KO) will make his junior welterweight debut against another former 135-pound champion in Ricky Burns (37-4-1, 11 KO).
The latter is making just his second appearance at 140 pounds.
Both fighters have gained the reputation for being all-action performers, so this main event has the makings of an entertaining bout.
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Perhaps the best thing about this match is that it won't draw the casual fan. After the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao bout, probably every hardcore boxing fan will welcome a plain boxing match without all the loud opinions from the uninformed.
Here's how you can watch.
When: Saturday, May 9, at 4 p.m. ET
Where: State Farm Arena in Hidalgo, Texas
TV: CBS
Reasons to Watch Figueroa vs. Burns
A Brawl Will Break Out
Neither Figueroa nor Burns has ever shied away from a brawl. If you're looking for vintage Figueroa, take a look at his battle with the stubborn Nihito Arakawa back in July 2013.
While Figueroa won the bout easily on the cards, Arakawa's toughness and Figueroa's persistence made this fight one of the best of that year.
Likewise, Burns is a true competitor in the ring. Back in September 2013, the Brit fought Raymundo Beltran to a controversial draw in an epic contest between two veteran warriors. Burns suffered a broken jaw in the second round, yet he fought on and finished the fight.
Many believe Beltran deserved to win, but you still have to acknowledge Burns' ruggedness. We've seen the likes of Victor Ortiz bow out of fights with the same injury.
With both fighters likely focused on impressing a nationwide audience, it's hard to imagine how this fight wouldn't be exciting.
Future Opponents for Adrien Broner
Aside from the action that will be at hand on Saturday, there's also the possibility that the winner could take on one of PBC's biggest young stars in the near future. Adrien "The Problem" Broner has moved to junior welterweight, and while there has been talk between himself and Amir Khan about a bout, they haven't announced anything concrete. Take a look at the video below from ESNews Reporting (Warning: NSFW language).
Khan takes on Chris Algieri in a separate PBC card on May 29, and Broner has an NBC date in June against an as-yet-announced opponent in his hometown of Cincinnati.
Because Broner has yet to move back up to 147 pounds, you have to believe he'll have at least two more fights at 140 before trying his hand at welterweight again. Either Figueroa or Burns would make an exciting opponent for Broner.
A Broner-Figueroa bout would have a ton of appeal in the United States, while a Broner-Burns scrap would be big in the United Kingdom. In any case, the winner of Saturday's main event will have options.
Now these two just need to win to create the opportunity.
Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter.
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