For us the most notable Heavyweight bout of the weekend sees former Lithuanian amateur standout Paulius Kasiulevicius (0-0) make his professional debut as he takes on Adel Badawy (also 0-0). The 24 year old Kasiulevicius may not have been a major achiever on the international stage as an amateur but his domestic achievements were impressive and some are tipping him as a seriously hot prospect.
On the same card as Kasiuleviciu's debut there will also be a bout for the fun to watch, though technically limited Tom Little (3-1) who takes on Ladislav Kovarik (10-15, 5). Little is best known for competing in "Prizefighter" where he lost to Tom Dallas and despite that loss he should have more than enough for the Czech Republic's Kovarik.
Just a few miles from that card is another Heavyweight clash as the debuting Charlie Smith (0-0) takes on Bulgarian youngster Kristian Kirilov (2-4-1). Smith will be expected to pick up a victory to kick start his career as he takes on a fighter who brings a 5 fight winless streak with him.
Although we feel the debut of Kasiulevicius is the most notable Heavyweight bout of the night we've certainly no complaints if others feel that that honour belongs to a rematch in Panama between the experienced Luis Andres Pineda (22-10-1, 18) and former world title challenger Carl Davis Drumond (29-3, 23). In terms of "name value", "back history" and even "experience" this is the stand out fight though things aren't actually that simple.
Pineda enters this bout aged 39 and coming in on the back of a 6th round KO loss to Luis Ortiz back in June 2011 whilst Drumond, himself 38 years old, is 3-3 in his last 6 with all 3 wins coming against weak opponents. In all honesty this bout made more sense when the two men fought for the first time back in 2008, when Drumond won a competitive decision, though now makes very little sense.
In the US Daniel Pasciolla (0-0) makes his professional debut as he takes on the unbeaten Dante Selby (0-0-1). Selby, who's only previous contest came back in April, will be in hard here against a man some in the US are tipping to make a name for himself. Although Pasciolla is pretty unknown on the national stage as an amateur he is viewed as a talent and could well be one to keep an eye on.
One of the most evenly matched bouts of the day takes place in Canada as the hard hitting Dillon Carman (5-1, 4) faces Sylvera Louis (4-2, 1). Although on paper Carman looks like a clear favourite Louis is a genuine banana skin and he was very unlucky not to take the scalp of Colombian Oscar Rivas last time out. Potentially a tricky ask for Carman who enters this bout on the back of 3 stoppage victories.
With Carman v Louis looking like the most competitive bout of the day it's only fair to go straight to the least competitive looking bout of the day as Germany sees Fatih Yildiz (10-0, 5) taking on Juri Zizer (0-8). This bout of perfect winning record v perfect losing record really does look like a total mismatch on paper. Although Yildiz is racing towards his 41st birthday Zizer is himself 35 and it's hard to care about either the winner or loser.
Staying in Europe, though moving across to France we get a 5 round bout between local fighter Alban Galonnier (2-4-1, 2) and Lithuanian Rolandas Cesna (3-11). After fitting in 8 fights last year (and going 3-5) this will be the first bout of the year for Cesna who has been brought to France to lose to Galonnier who looks the part at 6'6" but lacks the talent to back up his size. Unbeaten in 2 fights Galonnier is in the form of his life, but is unlikely to actually go far in the sport.
Although we are aware that Ergun Mersin (9-0, 7), Mario Heredia (6-1, 5) and Raymond Ochieng (24-17-3, 19) will all be in action we are, as yet unaware of their opponents. Of those 3 men it's fair to say that Ochieng, who will be fighting in his native Kenya, is the one with the least upside. Not only does he have 17 losses but he's lost 5 of his last 6 and is now 36 years old.
Mersin, from Switzerland, arguably has the most upside with him being very young (22) and collecting international experience. His bout, scheduled to take place in Bosnia And Herzegovina, will see him fighting in a 4th country in just 10 bouts.
Mexican Heredia may have a loss on his record but the 20 year old is still a developing fighter and one who has already put his loss (a stoppage to Wilfrido Leal) behind him. With plenty of amateur fights behind him and several fights in the WSB (World Series Boxing) he's someone who does hold a lot of promise though certainly needs to be matched softly whilst he irons out some pretty clear faults with his game.