Mark your calendars – June preview features Wilder, Billam-Smith v Riakporhe 2, Tank Davis and Estrada-Rodriguez
A MEMORABLE MAY saw Canelo Alvarez and Vasiliy Lomachenko remind everyone they were far from finished, Naoya Inoue commanded another symphony of destruction, Lauren Price stunned in maiden world title win first, Lawrence Okolie got his mojo back, Jack Catterall earned redemption and Oleksandr Usyk made heavyweight history.
June begins with a veteran promoter looking to teach his young rival a lesson and ends with an aging champion looking to ruin the reputation of one of the talented new stars of the boxing village.
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Date: Saturday, June 1
Location: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Event: Queensberry vs Matchroom 5 v 5
June began with a five-fight card in which bragging rights were at stake for Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn. However, the real winners are the fans, with each match having its own compelling storyline and career ramifications. Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang; Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois; Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Austin Williams; Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball; Craig Richards vs. Willy Hutchinson. A list of fights that would have been written just for fun. Now, it’s true.
Is it worth watching? Absolute. Every fight is worth turning off your phone.
Date: Saturday, June 15
Location: Selhurst Park, London
Event: Chris Billam-Smith vs Richard Riakporhe 2
British boxing’s love affair with the football grounds continued on a busy night for the sport. First up is a rematch between two of the UK’s best cruiserweights, who fought in a 10-round non-title bout five years ago. That night, Riakporhe received approval. This time, Billam-Smith enters enemy territory as WBO champion, aiming to remind everyone why he is the leader in the 200lbs division in the UK.
Is it worth watching? A British rivalry, a football stadium, a world title… and cruiserweights rarely fail. What’s not to love? Look out for another cruiserweight on the undercard between Isaac Chamberlain and Jack Massey for the vacant European title.
June 15 was a busy night for wrestling fans with three world title matches in three countries (Left: Davis and Martin, Right: Billam-Smith and Riakporhe)
Date: Saturday, June 15
Location: Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu, Puerto Rico
Event: Subriel Matias vs. Liam Paro
IBF super lightweight champion Subriel Matias will return to his native Puerto Rico for the second defense of his title against Australia’s Paro. The former is building a reputation as one of the most feared men in the sport. His opponent is undefeated in 24 contests and earned the biggest win of his career in December against Montana Love.
Is it worth watching? If you love big punchers then yes. All 20 of Matias’s opponents withdrew, stopped or were eliminated. However, Paro is a worthy challenger and capable of winning.
Date: Saturday, June 15
Location: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas
Event: Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin
One of the biggest draws in the sport, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, is returning 14 months after his win over Ryan Garcia. That marked a pivotal moment in Baltimore’s Davis’ career but external issues stalled any momentum. He retained his WBA 135lb title against Detroit-born Martin, who was tipped to achieve great things.
Is it worth watching? Davis is leading the box office, and his absence raises questions that need to be answered. The co-main event between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk is also worth your time.
Date: Saturday, June 22
Location: Resorts World Arena, Birmingham
Event: Tyler Denny vs. Felix Cash
Two of Britain’s best middleweights headline the Matchroom card, where Ben Shalom will hope his man Denny can knock out Eddie Hearn and his fighter Cash. If Denny is successful, it will not only be his first European title defense but also continue an interesting story of a fighter who, in 2018 and 2019, lost to Reece Cartwright and Linus respectively Udofia, when there are any ideas about getting attention for a big match. Programs in the UK may seem unrealistic.
Is it worth watching? Correct. The main event featured contrasting characters and for Cash, it was a must-win event. Once plagued by big things, his career has been plagued by injuries, inactivity and personal problems. Look out for a potential thriller between Lewis Crocker and Conah Walker below.
Will Denny (far left) retain his European title? Will Rodriguez (far right) defeat Estrada?
Date: Saturday, June 29
Location: Footprint Center, Phoenix
Event: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez
Rodriguez is carving out a career for himself that could one day go down in the history books. The Texan defeated Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Sunny Edwards. Now, he is attempting to reclaim the WBC super flyweight title he vacated against the underrated Estrada. He, Chocolatito Gonzalez, Cuadras and Rungvisai are all boxing stars in the smaller weight classes but Rodriguez could eclipse each of them.
Is it worth watching? It’s a must see. Rodriguez looks like a generational talent who could become the greatest player of all time. However, underestimate Estrada at your peril. Look out for the return of Sunny Edwards in his match against Adrian Curiel.
Also in June…
Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira (8/6), Abass Barou vs. Macaulay McGowan (June 14), Lyndon Arthur vs. Liam Cameron (June 21), Quaise Khademi vs. Ryan Farrag (June 21), Rafael Espinoza vs. Sergio Chirino Sanchez (June 21), Pierce O’Leary vs. Darragh Foley (June 28), Lamont Roach vs Feargal McCrory (June 28), Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett (June 29).
