By Jackie Kallen
These past couple of weekends we’ve had some really great boxing to watch. The Froch fight delivered all that it promised and who didn’t love Cotto’s win over Martinez? Good matches, well-fought, and satisfying results.
This weekend will continue the momentum. HBO’s show from the Barclays Center looks like it will be just as exciting as these other shows. Two solid WBO title fights for our viewing pleasure.
Ruslan Provodnikov from Russia, will take on undefeated Chris Algieri from New York. This is a hell of a match. I am a big Provodnikov fan. I enjoy watching him and although he has two losses (to Timothy Bradley and Mauricio Herrera), both fights were close. Having Freddie Roach as his trainer is a major plus as well.
Algieri is a game contender. On top of Algieri’s boxing abilities, he is a smart, handsome athlete who is a whiz at nutrition, conditioning and social media. He has a strong fan base and is well aware that this opportunity is a golden one for him. At one time the fight was going to be at the Nassau Coliseum, which is hometown ground for Algieri. However, it got moved to Brooklyn, where the crowd will nomost likely be more evenly divided.
Provodnikov no doubt researched this fight well. Every fighter wants his first title defense to be an impressive one. He knows Algieri is a worthy opponent, but one he feels comfortable about facing.
The co-main event features young, southpaw junior middleweight sensation Demetrius Andrade as he puts his 20-0 record on the line against 25-1 Brian Rose. From Providence, RI, the 26 year-old Andrade (known as Boo Boo) is stepping up his game and putting his WBO belt on the line. In November of last year, he won the title by winning a split decision over Vanes Martirosyan in Texas. He is eyeing the winner of Canelo/Lara and this is a necessary win if he hopes to reach those heights.
From the UK. Brian “The Lion” Rose will shoot for the stars when he steps into the ring. His only loss came back in 2010 in England against a lightly-regarded Max Maxwell. He came right back and has won 11 straight since then. He is not expected to beat Boo Boo, but you never know anymore. I’ve been surprised a few times already this year.
This is an interesting card and it promises to deliver some exciting rounds of boxing.