But what a weekend that awaits as between Friday and Saturday with two of the best in the world in action and although Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin aren't facing each other for the third time, each is fighting in an interesting fight -especially in the case of Alvarez.
I've always thought Canelo Alvarez is going to be a fighter that is higher regarded currently than history may regard him.
Canelo, much like his former promoter Oscar De La Hoya, has received the benefit of let's say generous judging.
I thought he lost both Golovkin fights, Erislandy Lara could have gotten the nod against him, Austin Trout may have deserved a decision as well without a late knockdown, and the awful draw scorecard put forward in his only loss to Floyd Mayweather mark his career.
It also will not look fondly at his ducking Golovkin when GGG was in prime form, or his refusal to fight the third fight either with GGG past his prime or perhaps not at all, but outside of Golovkin, Alvarez hasn't ducked challenges.
Canelo faced all the fighters named above, leaped two weight divisions to face the feared, but flawed Sergey Kovalev, Hall of Famer Miguel Cotto, and the very solid Daniel Jacobs and now will face the top super middleweight in WBA champion and winner of the World Boxing Super Series in Callum Smith.
This fight would be really anticipated if Smith wouldn't have looked awful in his last fight against veteran John Ryder in which many (including me) thought Ryder deserved the decision.
Still, give Smith a mulligan for an off night and give Canelo credit for facing the best guy in the division (other than David Benavidez) right away.
And give the WBC credit as well, although it's likely because of their relentless sucking up to Canelo, for making this fight for their vacant title as well after stripping it from Benavidez for missing weight earlier this year.
As for Gennady Golovkin, he returns on DAZN Friday night in his first fight since his narrow escape last year against Sergiy Dereyvanchenko, against IBF mandatory challenger Kamil Szeremeta.
Golovkin, who many thought lost to Dereyvanchenko in a fight that could have been judged for either man, could use an explosive victory over Szeremeta, who seems to be a fighter that is better suited for the European level than the world level.
Golovkin claimed illness entering his fight with Dereyvanchenko and he did appear gaunt entering the ring, but fighters often make claims after unexpected outings, so we will see if GGG is slipping or truly was ill last time out.
An interesting super middleweight co-feature pairs undefeated Ali Akhmedov against Carlos Gongora in a twelve rounder.
Both fighters have stellar amateur records, but Akhmedov is the more advanced of the two and Gongora is from Ecuador, not exactly a boxing hotbed.
The final challenge bout will see John Ryder, who as noted above I thought defeated Callum Smith last year, against journeyman Mike Guy in a stay busy fight for Ryder.
Guy lost to Akhmedov last year, so Ryder has the advantage in experience and skill...
Showtime's Saturday event has been riddled with several changes in the card since it was first announced and as a result, it appeared to be a tepid slate for the premium cable network to finish its 2020.
In the main event for a minor title, former IBF bantamweight champion Emmanuel Rodriguez, who has only lost to Naoya Inoue, will face undefeated Raymart Gaballo, who was very impressive when I saw him on an FS1 card last year.
Rodriguez-Gaballo may not have the cache' of the two original fights (Nordine Oubaali-Nonito Donaire and Donaire against Rodriguez), but it should be an excellent fight.
The other fights match the top prospect in the welterweight division as Jaron "Boots" Ennis, who is rapidly becoming the most avoided fighter at 147 pounds not named Terence Crawford, faces veteran Chris Van Heerden, who took Errol Spence eight rounds before being stopped in his last loss five years ago.
The rugged Van Heerden hasn't fought anyone close to the level of Spence or Ennis in those five victories, but he may give Ennis rounds and some experience that can only be gained against veteran workhorses.
The opener will see one of the Russell family fighters in a bantamweight ten rounder with Gary Antonio Russell fighting former WBA champion Juan Carlos Payano.
The talented Russell hasn't fought any close to the level of Payano but has impressed against the limited competition.
Payano has lost three of his last four, but the competition has been top-notch with all three being either current or former champions in Naoya Inoue, Luis Nery, and Daniel Roman.
The winner could be positioned well for a title shot in 2021.
And the next fight is on pay per view for some reason, as former WBO super middleweight champion Gilberto Ramirez fights for the first time in twenty months against veteran Alfonso Lopez in Ramirez's second fight at light heavyweight.
Ramirez was guaranteed a title shot by the WBO and was also guaranteed a spot in their four fighter box-off to fill their title vacated by Canelo Alvarez, but refused the invitation to participate.
Lopez has shown power against lower-level fighters but has lost each time that the competition has toughened with losses to Kelly Pavlik in 2011 and Dyah Davis in 2012 and an inexcusable 2012 loss to 3-5-1 Justin Williams after losing to Davis.
Former middleweight champion Sergio Martinez fights for the second time in his comeback against Jussi Koivula of Finland in Spain/
Martinez stopped Jose Fandino in seven rounds in his first match back in August and looked better than I expected.
Martinez stopped Jose Fandino in seven rounds in his first match back in August and looked better than I expected.
Koivula has lost three of his last four including a brutal second-round knockout at the hands of prospect Conor Benn in June 2019.
I lead Ramon Malpica 177-167 as we near the end of the boxing challenge for 2020.
WBA and Vacant WBC Super Middleweight Titles. 12 Rds
Callum Smith vs Canelo Alvarez
Both: Alvarez Unanimous Decision
IBF Middleweight Title. 12 Rds
Gennady Golovkin vs Kamil Szeremeta
R.L; Golokin KO 6
TRS: Golovkin KO 5
Super Middleweights. 12 Rds
Ali Akhmedov vs Carlos Gongora
R.L: Akhmedov KO 10
TRS: Akhmedov Unanimous Decision
TRS: Akhmedov Unanimous Decision
Super Middleweights. 10 Rds
John Ryder vs Mike Guy
Both: Ryder Unanimous Decision
Bantamweights. 12 Rds
Emmanuel Rodriguez vs Reymart Gaballo
R.L: Gaballo KO 8
TRS: Gaballo KO 6
TRS: Gaballo KO 6
Welterweights.12 Rds
Jaron Ennis vs Chris Van Heerden
R.L: Ennis KO 5
TRS: Ennis KO 6
TRS: Ennis KO 6
Bantamweights. 10 Rds
Gary Antonio Russell vs Juan Carlos Payano
Both: Russell Unanimous Decision
Light Heavyweights. 10 Rds
Gilberto Ramirez vs Alfonso Lopez
R.L: Ramirez KO 11
TRS: Ramirez KO 8
TRS: Ramirez KO 8
Middleweights. 10 Rds
Sergio Martinez vs Jussi Koivula
R.L: Martinez Unanimous Decision
TRS: Martinez KO 4
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