Friday Night Lights-
Sam Eggington vs Abass Baraou (EBU Super Welterweight)
The first fight of the weekends sees a return to British boxing (finally). After a few, long, weeks the United Kingdom sees Friday night lights in the form of a European title fight at Super Welterweight.
Sam Eggington comes off the back of a killer technical knockout of Southern prospect Joe Pigford.
This was just under a year ago so a fair amount of time off but with so many rounds In the bag Eggington was keen to only take fights worth his while.
He’s looking make a huge splash as a surprising underdog in this fight even saying “I genuinely don’t get how I’m the underdog,”
“I know he’s knocked some people out but if I fought the same people I’d have the same record.”
Despite the keen attitude from Eggington he takes on a machine looking to correct the course of his career in Abass Baraou.
Baraou has struggled to gain any traction since a split decision loss to Jack Culcay in 2020, fighting just 5 times since and not managing to interest any of the big players at Super Welterweight.
The German has expressed his frustration at this situation “I was trying to get back to my level as quick as possible and then everything dragged out,” Baraou (14-1, 9 knockouts) told The Ring. “COVID was in between, and other different issues, but I was always working in the gym and improving.
Still only 30 years old with 42 bouts to his name Eggington will look to make a upset and return to World Championship level.
Baraou on the other hand will look turn his misfortunes around and gain the attention of the big dogs at 154.
Vegas Baby !-
The next cards sees a return to one of the capitals of boxing to roll the dice on another two World Title fights.
Lopez vs Reiya Abe (IBF Featherweight)
The main event of Saturday evening in Vegas sees two smaller weight titan nations take battle in the form of Mexico vs Japan.
Luis Alberto Lopez comes into the ring after a string of successful ventures abroad and a more than impressive resume including, Josh Warrington, Isaac Lowe, Michael Conlan and Joet Gonzalez.
That’s just in his previous 6 fights.
He will also see battle as the champion defending his belt for the third time in just under a year.
He won’t find much comfort in looking across the ring at his opponent in Reiya Abe who has a impressive record himself.
Abe’s hit list consists of Kiko Martinez, Jinki Maeda and a plethora of young Japanese talent.
The Featherweight division will have large implications after this fight and the Nick Ball vs Rey Vargas bout next Friday.
Add that on top of WBA title on the line on the Undercard, this fight looks tasty and means a lot for the divisions future.
Otabek Kholatov vs Raymond Ford (WBA Featherweight)
Speak of the devil and he shall appear. This time in the case of a beautiful Featherweight Title bout. As mentioned above this one for the vacant WBA Featherweight title after Leigh-Wood vacated and seemingly moving up to Super Featherweight.
Lets start with the relative unknown entity in this fight, Otabek Kholatov, The Kazakhstan born brawler has fought here there and everywhere to make a name for himself.
His most recent hight profile fight coming in the form of a demolition KO of Tommy Ward in Newcastle.
On the opposite side to Kholatov is the highly touted Raymond Ford.
The two time Golden Gloves champion has stellar 14-0-1 record including a TKO win over recent British title holder Reece Belloti.
His career hasn’t been all smooth sailing in the pro game with bad judging following him like a bad smell.
A draw to Aaron Perez which should have seen Ford declared winner and on the opposite side a win over Vazquez which should have been a loss.
Even Eddie Hearn, Fords Promoter, said it was a awful decision “I thought [Vazquez] won. I did. It’s difficult to represent someone and then go in there and say, ‘You lost.’ But there’s no point in lying.”
Both come into this fight with a lot to prove and with the Featherweight division moving fast, a title would be worth its weight in gold when it comes to negotiation power.
Puerto Rico Perfection-
The final card of the weekends preview sees a move down to South America and travel to Puerto Rico.
Amanda Serrano vs Nina Meinke
The main support in this card sees female pioneer Amanda Serrano return to the ring for a 50th time and take on Nina Meinke.
Serrano will take special pride in fighting in her home country this time out, after not fighting in Puerto Rico since 2021.
She’s even giving back to the community in conjunction with Jake Pauls charity Boxing Bullies to create the first ever Serrano Sisters boxing gym.
She aims to take one step closer to her goal of 50 wins before retirement.
Serrano will have her work cut out for her with Nina Meinke clearing out German women’s boxing.
Meinke forced her way into contention for the titles with a busy 2023 fighting three times and winning them all.
The nicknamed “Brave” will look to upset the homecoming for Serrano and backtrack any retirement plans.
One to watch-
It wouldn’t be a Serrano card without the mention of manager and boxer Jake Paul.
Paul faces his third actual professional boxer this weekend in the form of Ryan Bourland.
The internet sensation turned pro boxer has come under fire from fans and haters alike because of the inactivity of Bourland, who hasn’t fought since 2022, and has only a singular fight since 2018.
In fairness to Jake, Bourland is 17-2-0 in his career and wouldn’t be checked twice on the early record of a lot of fighters these days but recent footage of Bourlands preparation hasn’t helped Jakes cause.
But it is another fight in a promise to stay active in 2024.
Lets just hope for a step up in opposition for Jakes next fight.
