Pick It: TBRB Champion Oleksandr Usyk vs. Daniel Dubois (Saturday, ESPN+, 5:00 PM EST)
It’s the most significant heavyweight fight of the year so far. The way things are going, it might be the most significant of the year period. That doesn’t say a lot for heavyweight in 2023. Regardless, it’s a chance to see the 36-year old Usyk (20-0, 13 KO) defend his three heavyweight belts in what amounts to his annual appearance for the fourth year in a row. Usyk is recognized by TBRB and The Ring as heavyweight champion but the lineal and rightful champion is still Tyson Fury and that’s the fight Usyk is looking to stay in line for.
The 25-year old Dubois (19-1, 18 KO) is coming off a tightrope walk against Kevin Lerena where he came off the floor three times before scoring a comeback stoppage. Dubois looked like a comer early on but there’s little aside from good sanctioning body position to suggest him as a serious contender right now. Can the younger man change perceptions and change the landscape of the division?
Additional Shows to Watch For
Friday – Simpson vs. Hernandez (DAZN, 8:30 PM EST)
The OTX series is back with a look at one of the most talented young middleweights in the world. 23-year old Lorenzo Simpson (13-0, 7 KO) has range, speed, and skill and could be a factor for years to come. 34-year old Vladimir Hernandez (13-5, 6 KO) scored a big upset of Julian Williams in 2021 but enters off a stoppage loss to Jesus Ramos.
Saturday – #3 Collazo vs. Diagan (DAZN, 8:00 PM EST)
26-year old Oscar Collazo (7-0, 5 KO) impressed in his last outing in May, stopping Melvin Jerusalem for the WBO belt at 105 pounds. It’s a quick turnaround for Collazo’s first defense against 27-year old Garen Diagan (10-3, 5 KO). Diagan has been stopped once in his career and comes into the fight with two straight wins.
Saturday – Anderson vs. Rudenko (ESPN, 10:30 PM EST)
23-year old Jared Anderson (15-0, 14 KO) might be the best American prospect at heavyweight right now and he’s moving quickly toward being a full fledged contender. He’s already in the top ten of the WBC, WBA, and WBO. Saturday he gets a veteran opponent getting a little long in the tooth. 39-year old Andrii Rudenko (35-6, 21 KO) is coming off a win but is only two fights removed from his first stoppage loss to Vladyslav Sirenko. Can Anderson make it a second early night?
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