Welcome to The Red Corner, a brand new boxing and MMA column brought to you by the Amarillo Pioneer, covering the world of boxing and mixed martial arts. This column will bring you news, opinions, and quick facts that you need to know about the fights that make the sports world pay attention.
Boxing fans got some bad news on Tuesday, with an announcement by Triller Fight Club co-founder Ryan Kavanaugh that the unified lightweight title bout between Teófimo López and George Kambosos, Jr. set for pay-per-view this Saturday night had been postponed due to a positive COVID-19 test for López.
First off, boxing fans should wish López a speedy recovery and a quick return to the ring. As of right now, it sounds like the rescheduled bout will take place on August 14, so hopefully that date will hold.
But, secondly, I know many boxing fans are probably wondering where they should turn for fireworks on Saturday night with López and Kambosos now out of their scheduled fight. Luckily for boxing addicts, Saturday night will provide plenty of options, including title bouts, head turning exhibitions, and important bouts for the future of key divisions.
Here is a full look at Saturday night’s fights and what boxing fans can expect in each bout.
Naoya Inoue vs. Michael Dasmarinas (ESPN and ESPN+)
Japanese power puncher Naoya “The Monster” Inoue has already picked up quite the following in the United States, and for good reason. Currently holding a professional record of 20 wins, with 17 by knockout, Inoue has established himself as one of boxing’s biggest punchers in the ring today. And he will be looking to follow up Halloween knockout of Jason Moloney when he faces Michael Dasmarinas (30-2-1, 20 KOs). Inoue’s IBF and WBA bantamweight titles will be on the line, and this title fight is sure to offer plenty of action for boxing fans.
This card will begin at 6:25pm on Saturday, live on ESPN and ESPN+.
Jermall Charlo vs. Juan Macias Montiel (Showtime)
Undefeated middleweight sensation Jemall “Hitman” Charlo (31-0, 22 KOs) is coming off a unanimous decision win over Sergiy Derevyanchenko last September and is hoping to pick up another win in the ring this Saturday night in his bout against Juan Macias Montiel (22-4-2, 22 KOs). Charlo will be defending his WBC middleweight title, so this bout will definitely be one to watch.
This card will begin at 8pm on Saturday, live on Showtime.
Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. vs. Anderson Silva & Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. vs. Hector Camacho, Jr. (GSS PPV)
Former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. (52-5-1-1, 34 KOs), will return to action on Saturday night, coming off his knockout victory over Jeyson Minda last November. Chavez will meet former UFC middlewight champion Anderson “The Spider” Silva on Saturday night. Sporting a professional boxing record of 1-1, Silva’s real reputation comes from his years as a superstar in the UFC, where he amassed a record of 34-11-1, and picked up knockout wins over names such as Rich Franklin, James Irvin, Forrest Griffin, and Chael Sonnen. This ten round bout is sure to provide an interesting crossover moment for fans of both boxing and mixed martial arts.
Chavez’s father, Julio Cesar Chavez, Sr. (107-6-2, 85 KOs) will also take the ring for an exhibition bout on Saturday against Hector Camacho, Jr. (59-7-1, 33 KOs). The bout won’t count against either man’s professional record, but still presents an interesting matchup to finish a night of boxing action.
This card will take place at 8pm on Saturday, live on GSS pay-per-view. The event is available to watch for $39.99 through FITE.tv.
Jaime Munguia vs. Kamil Szeremeta (DAZN)
Former WBO junior middleweight champion Jaime Munguia (36-0, 29 KOs) returns to the ring on Saturday night to face former middleweight title challenger Kamil Szeremeta (21-1, 5 KOs), who is returning to action for the first time since his knockout loss to IBF and IBO middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin last December. This bout will be an interesting one, potentially providing future title picture implications in the middleweight division.
This card begins at 2:30pm on Saturday, live on DAZN.