Boxing Schedule: 10 Fights To Look Forward to Next Month
July is a good month to look forward to for boxing fans who are in the market for good matches following the TKO victory of Saul "Canelo" Alvarez of Mexico against Ryan Rhodes of the United Kingdom last June 18.
At least three major title fights are due before the end of the month including the Tavoris Cloud vs. Yusaf Mack for the IBF Light Heavyweight title, Humberto Soto vs. Motoki Sasaki for the WBC Lightweight title and Felix Sturm vs. Matthew Macklin for WBA Middleweight title.
Except for the Devon Alexander vs. Lucas Matthysse, a non-title fight, all the three title fights are scheduled for June 25 in three different venues which include Mexico, Germany and the US.
For July, at least 10 world titles are at stake. The lineup of matches for the month of July is led by the Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye on July 2 in Hamburg, Germany and Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah fight scheduled for July 23 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Here are 10 of the more than 20 power-packed fights scheduled for next month.
Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye
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The July boxing calendar features the highly-hyped heavyweight title fight between Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko and British star David Haye. The fight is for Klitschko's RING, IBF, WBO and Haye's WBA titles.
Although Klitschko is the fan favorite to win in this major heavyweight boxing event, the more knowledgeable critics say Haye will emerge as winner in the end.
But because Wladimir is well-appreciated in Germany being a resident there, he could win the fight if it goes the distance because of a possible hometown decision.
Klitschko is expected to use his reach advantage and throw more jabs to neutralize Haye in the early rounds and go for the kill in the later rounds.
Haye, on the other hand, will most likely go for an early knockout, but if he is not successful, he may lose on points it the fight does not end in a KO.
Klitschko, 35 years old, stands 6'6" with a reach of 81" and weighs 245 lbs. while Haye, who is 30 years old, stands 6'3", weighs 215 lbs, with a reach of 78".
Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah
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The upcoming Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah fight is another July blockbuster, with Amir having an edge over the aging Judah.
Khan, who has a 17 KO record in his 26-fight career, is one of the most promising young boxers today. He's got speed and power with over 40 percent accuracy rate during his last fight with McCloskey.
The Briton star knows how to use the ring with his improving footwork. He has also improved quite a bit in his defense.
Khan, who has sparred with Manny Pacquiao while training in the Philippines and at the Wild Card, is now back with Alex Ariza for his physical conditioning in preparation for his clash with Judah.
Judah, who has just joined the ranks of aging fighters at 34, has 41 wins with six defeats in his long professional career with 28 by way of KO.
Judah has been dropped a few times lately, though, he's been winning during the last couple of fights. He tends to tire early in the rounds which show age is fast catching up on him.
Brandon Rios vs. Urbano Antillon
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Brandon Rios is facing Urbano Antillon on July 9 at the Home Depot in Carson, CA. Rios is a 25-year-old heavy puncher who is undefeated in 27 fights.
Rios clocked over 200 fights during his amateur days until he turned pro in 2004. Rios stands at 5'8" with a reache of 68".
None of Rios' opponents in his last nine fights has gone the distance which shows his knockout power and overwhelming style.
Antillon, who is a former Golden Gloves champion, has an advantage in reach over Rios, though he is an inch shorter.
Antillon has a 28-2 record with 20 KOs. His recent loss was against Humberto Soto last year via a unanimous decision.His other loss was against Miguel Acosta in July 2009.
Although Antillon is a hard contender to beat, Rios is seen to emerge as winner in the upcoming fight.
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Mark Melligen vs. Freddy Hernandez
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Although the Melligen vs. Freddy Hernandez match is not a title fight, it promises to be a fight to watch this July.
Melligen, who is a 25-year-old boxer from Bacolod City, Philippines, is ripe for a title fight either with Kermit Cintron or Mike Jones if he wins over Freddy Hernandez, who has recently fought and lost against Andre Berto.
Melligen is fresh from his victory over Gabriel Martinez via unanimous decision last February at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Hernandez, who is from Mexico City, has been on a six-fight winning streak until Andre Berto knocked him out last November 27 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Melligen, who is a southpaw, stands at 5''7" while Hernandez, who is 32 years old and an orthodox boxer, stands at 5'11", a full 4" difference in height.
Kermit Cintron vs. Carlos Molina
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Another non-title fight, which is equally exciting as the title fights scheduled for July, is the upcoming Kermit Cintron vs. Carlos Molina fight scheduled for July 9 as an under card for the Rios vs. Antillon fight in Carson City.
Cintron, who is fighting in the light middleweight, is from Puerto Rico and fighting out of Houston, Texas. He stands at 5'11" with a 74" reach. He is 31 years old with a 32-3 win-loss record.
With recent wins over the highly-regarded Alfredo Angulo and lesser-known Juliano Ramos, Cintron earned a shot at the more popular Paul Williams in May 2010 but he lost due to accidental injury in the third round.
Cesar Molina, who is from Mexico but fighting out of Chicago, Illinois, is also campaigning in the light middleweight. He is an orthodox and stands at 5'9" with a reach of 70". He has won 18 fights and lost four with two draws.
He is 28 years old and has not been defeated in his last 10 fights since 2008.
Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara
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Another good match to watch in July is the Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara fight scheduled for July 9, in Atlantic City, N.J.
This is Paul William's first fight since losing badly to Sergio Martinez in a rematch last November via KO in the second round.
In 2009, he won over Sergio Martinez via a majority decision after winning four fights following his loss to Carlos Quintana in 2009. He also fought and won over Winky Wright in April 2009.
Williams who is a southpaw has a record of 39-2 with 27 wins via KO. Williams is a tall fighter at 6'2" and is from South Carolina, USA.
Erislandy Lara is a southpaw from Cuba. Lara fought Carlos Molina, who is facing Kermit Cintron also on July 9. His fight with Molina which took place in March this year was ruled a draw.
Lara is on his way to his 10-fight winning streak.
Pawel Wolak vs. Delvin Rodriguez
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Powel Wolak vs. Delvin Rodriguez is an interesting fight to watch. Wolak, who is also known as the "raging bull" is shooting for his ninth consecutive wins since 2008 when he suffered his first and lone loss against Ishe Smith in Brooklyn.
Last March, Wolak fought Yuri Foreman and won the NABF Light Middleweight tittle after a seven-fight winning streak.
Wolak, who is from Poland, is 29 years old orthodox. He stands 5'9" with a reach of 69". His record is 29 wins with one defeat.
Delvin Rodriguez is from Dominican Republic with 32 fights to his credit, with five loses and a draw. He is 31 years old, orthodox and stands 6'.
Ricky Burns vs. Nicky Cook
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Ricky Burns, who is the current WBO super featherweight champion, faces Nicky Cook, a former WBO champion on July 16 in Liverpool, England.
Burns has 33 fights to his credit winning 31 with eight by way of KO and losing only twice in his professional boxing career.
Burns' opponent is Nicky Cook, who is from Stepney, England. He has a total of 31 fights to his credit, winning 29 and losing only twice. His KO win record is much better than Burns' at 16.
WBO featherweight title is at stake in the fight.
Derck Chisora vs. Tyson Fury
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For the heavyweight buffs, the Dereck Chisora vs. Tyson Fury fight on July 23 will be an exciting fight to watch.
The fight will take place at the Wembley Arena in London, England. At stake is the British Heavyweight title.
Although Chisora, who is undefeated in all 14 of his professional fights, has not won a world title fight, he could be on his way to one such title fight if he wins over Tyson Fury, who is likewise unbeaten also in 14 professional fights.
Both British boxers have not won a world title. Chisora, who is a British citizen but born in Zimbabwe, is 6' tall with a 74" reach. He is 27 years old.
Tyson Fury is only 23 years old and much taller than Chisora at 6'9". Fury, whose real name is Luke Tyson Fury was born in Manchester, England.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Likar Ramos
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Your July watch list won't be complete without the July 16 tune-up fight of Mexican boxing idol Juan Manuel Marquez.
Marquez is going up against the 25 years old Likar Ramos of Atlantico, Colombia.
Since 2006, Ramos has won all 11 of his fights after starting off with two successive losses early in his professional career.
Ramos is a southpaw who stands at 5''7". He has 27 fights to his credit with three losses.
Although Marquez is favored to win against the young Colombian, an upset is always a possibility.
Marquez is scheduled to face Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao in a trilogy on November 12 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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