Box Office: Fight Picks – Nontshinga, Anderson, Falcao, Pradabsri
With a stacked weekend of boxing, I’ve picked out 4 must see fights. With Nontshinga, Anderson, Falcao, and Pradabsri all in action, this isn’t one to miss!
Panya Pradabsri (Petchmanee CP Freshmart) v Norihito Tanaka
Panya Pradabsri, better known as Petchmanee CP Freshmart makes his 4th defence of his WBC minimumweight title on Wednesday in a rematch against Norihito Tanka, in Rayong, Thailand.
Freshmart beat long time champion Chayaphon Moonsri (or Wanheng Menayothin if you’d rather call him that) in November 2020. A monumental upset that shook the boxing world at the time. Moonsri held a ridiculous 54-0 unbeaten record at the time, and had previously spoke of his desire to retire unbeaten.
Pradabsri defended twice more against Danai Ngiabphukhiaw and then once again against Chayaphon Moonsri, before his last bout in August against Tanaka. Although there was no real contention surrounding the bout, the rematch has now been made.
Tanaka will look to become the oldest champion in Japanese history at 38 years of age. You’d also think that this is his last opportunity at world level, having been a nearly man his whole career.
The winner of this bout must fight WBC Interim champion Yudai Shigeoka, or risk being stripped of the title.
With minimumweight truly flying at the moment with fighters like Oscar Collazo, Knockout CP Freshmart, The Shigeoka brothers, Erick Rosa and Daniel Valladares. Wednesday’s bout will set up the division nicely.
The fight will be available for free on the ‘True4u’ YouTube channel and the card is due to begin at 6.00pm Indo China time.
Vincenzo Gualtieri vs Esquiva Falcao
Vincenzo Gualtieri will face Esquiva Falcao for the vacant IBF Middleweight title in Wuppertal, Germany on Saturday.
After the IBF ordered former champion Gennadiy Golovkin to defend against Falcao earlier this year, the 41 year old decided to vacate the title.
Gualtieri being next in line for the title was ordered, and Agon Sports won the purse bids, to stage the fight in his home town of Wuppertal.
Gualtieri hasn’t fought outside of Germany in his 21 fight career, winning the German title in 2020. The key period of his career was that which saw him win and defend an IBF Inter Continental title, boosting his ranking in that sanctioning body. This put him firmly in line for his title shot.
Falacao was an excellent amateur, winning a silver medal at middleweight in the 2012 Olympic games in London, as well as a bronze at the world championships in Baku in 2011.
The southpaw turned pro in 2014 with Top Rank and Bob Arum, and has amassed a perfect record of 30-0 with 22KOs to become mandatory for the IBF title.
With middleweight wide open at this point, the winner of this bout could face Janibek Alimkhanuly in a unification bout. This fight would be easy to make should Falcao win, as both have deals with Top Rank.
With other champions Jermall Charlo and Erislandy Lara busy with Canelo and Danny Garcia, a unification bout between Janibek and Saturdays winner would be perfect.
Jared Anderson vs Charles Martin
America’s next hope for a heavyweight championship headlines his first show on Saturday night, in his hometown of Toledo, Ohio, against former IBF Heavyweight champion Charles Martin.
Anderson has impressed massively in his career so far, with a perfect 14-0 14KOs record, taking gradual step ups at every opportunity. Charles Martin, being a former world champions, as well as being in the ring with world level contenders Luis Ortiz, Anthony Joshua, and Adam Kownacki, is the latest step up.
Martin won the IBF title in 2016 against Vyacheslav Glazkov beating by TKO due to a freak injury. He lost his belt in his first defence against Anthony Joshua. Recently Martin has had an up and down war with Cuban Luis Ortiz, and a KO win over Devin Vargas.
Although not the match up that was promised in the form of Zhan Kossibutsky, the Martin fight is a great acid test for Anderson at this stage.
With the heavyweight belts being held by men in their mid 30s, the division is in on the verge of a new era, and Anderson will hope that a win on Saturday will propel him into the discussion for the next great heavyweight, alongside other prospects Bakhodir Jalalov, Moses Itauma, and Richard Torrez.
Sivenathi Nontshinga vs Regie Suganob
Sivenathi Nontshinga will make the first defence on his IBF Light Flyweight in East London, South Africa on Sunday. In an anticipated bout between two top 10 light flyweights.
Nonthsinga will have a dream homecoming this weekend, fulfilling his dream of defending a world title in his home city of East London. He won the title last September in a fight of the year contender against Hector Flores Calixto in Mexico. He took the split decision over Flores, with a 2nd round knockdown crucial for the South African.
Nontshinga has been moved very quickly throughout his career so far winning his first world title in his 11th fight at only 24 years of age.
Suganob has had a relatively obscure career, never leaving his homeland of the Philippines, he has amassed a great record of 13 wins with 0 defeats, and has come through tough tests against Jerome Baloro, Andika D’Golden Boy, and Mark Vicelles to propel himself into the top 10.
The winner of Sundays bout puts themselves in prime position to challenge for the true status of divisional number 1, with potential fights against WBO champion Jonathon Gonzlaez, and WBA/WBC/Ring champion, and pound for pound great Kenshiro Teraji ll potential options, and with Nontshinga’s backing from matchroom he should be able to get the fights he needs.
Also read: Canelo Signs 3-Fight Deal With The PBC, Where Does DAZN Go From Here?
Also read: SPOTLIGHT ON BEATRIZ FERREIRA- “The Beast” in her 3rd pro outing Saturday night!
