Pick It: World Champion Kenshiro Teraji vs. TBRB #3 Hekkie Budler (Monday, ESPN+, 5:00 AM EST)
The best junior flyweight in the world will defend against one of the stalwart little men of the last decade, live from Japan…with breakfast. After a banner 2022, the 31-year old unified WBC/WBA beltholder Kenshiro (21-1, 13 KO) saw his hopes for further unification dashed when Jonathan Gonzalez fell out sick.
Before he can get back to that fight, a serious mandatory looms in 35-year old former unified titlist Hekkie Budler (35-4, 11 KO). The chief support bout, Junto Nakatani-Argi Cortes at junior bantamweight, gives the card extra reason for early risers.
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday – Fierro vs. Zamarripa (DAZN, 8:00 PM EST)
A pair of lightweight hopefuls headline from Tijuana. 25-year old Angel Fierro (21-1-2, 17 KO) is 5-0-1 in his last six, including a knockout of Alberto Machado. 26-year old Brayan Zamarripa (13-1, 4 KO) has only a single loss in his fifth fight, a bout that went to the cards early on a cut. Former featherweight titlist Erika Cruz is also in action, making her first start since losing a unification match with Amanda Serrano.
Friday – Pedraza vs. Cardenas (Showtime, 9:30 PM EST)
ShoBox tripleheaders are always worth a look, providing a glimpse at the future and often exceptional scraps. This one has junior featherweights in the spotlight up top. 26-year old Rafael Pedroza (15-0, 11 KO) stands almost six-feet tall, an oddity in any era for the weight. 27-year old Ramon Cardenas (22-1, 11 KO) gives up roughly half a foot of height but has won ten straight since his lone pro defeat.
Friday – #1 Lopez vs. Gonzalez (ESPN, 10:00 PM EST)
The IBF featherweight belt is on the line. 30-year old titlist Luis Alberto Lopez (28-2, 16 KO) rides the high of consecutive victories over Josh Warrington and Michael Conlan. Keep winning and he might just find himself a logical opponent for junior featherweight leader Naoya Inoue. 29-year old Joet Gonzalez (26-3, 15 KO) has challenged and lost in two title attempts. Those attempts came against Shakur Stevenson and Emanuel Navarrete, two of the best in the game. Is Lopez ready to be on that level? Gonzalez better hope not. Undercard action starts on ESPN+ at 6:30 PM.
Saturday – Nava vs. Ramirez Almanza (DAZN, 7:00 PM EST)
There are fans who are ever annoyed by boxing’s counter programming. It doesn’t always happen on the same platform though. The first of two concurrent boxing events that will air Saturday kicks off an hour earlier here. 25-year old Carlos Nava (10-0, 6 KO) faces off with 26-year old Armando Ramirez Almanza (8-2-1, 3 KO) in junior welterweight action. Ramirez Almanza has never been stopped but comes in off a defeat.
Saturday – #4 Zepeda vs. Gesta (DAZN, 8:00 PM EST)
One of the best young lightweights in the world will continue his quest for a title shot. 27-year old William Zepeda (28-0, 24 KO) will unleash his high volume offense on veteran 35-year old Mercito Gesta (34-3-3, 17 KO). Gesta has only been stopped once as a professional but enters off a win over Joseph Diaz. Unified strawweight titlist Yokasta Valle is also in action, defending against Maria Micheo, but with an eye on an undisputed showdown with Seniesa Estrada.
FiteTV All Weekend
In addition to the above cards, the hardest of the hard core fight junkies will find three shows available over the weekend on FiteTV.
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com