The most noteworthy bouts are both on the same show in Quebec, Canada. The lesser of the 2 bouts will see Canadian based Colombian Oscar Rivas (12-0, 7) facing off against former Cruiserweight title challenger Shawn Cox (17-4, 16). Cox, who has a punchers reputation, has lost 3 of his last 4 by stoppage including a second round blow out by Denis Lebedev and an opening round loss to South African Danie Venter and although he has heavy hands it's hard to see him beating Rivas. Rivas, although not a great fighter, is talented and will be trying to get his career back on track after more than a year out due to injuries.
Although Rivas/Cox is an interesting bout on paper it's a nothing bout compared to the brilliantly made match up between Cuban sensation Mike Perez (20-0, 12) and French based Cameroonian Carlos Takam (29-1, 23). Perez, fighting for the first time since his tragic bout with Russian puncher Magomed Abdusalamov, will be hoping that he doesn't have any ill effects of that bout as Takam will be coming to the bout with the intention of scoring a career best victory. This is a major opportunity for Takam who is on an 11 fight winning streak with victories over Michael Grant and Frans Botha though of course Botha and Grant are both a bit long in the tooth whilst Perez is a fighter in his prime and looking likely to, one day, challenge for a world title bout.
We'll just say well done to the matchmakers for both of these bouts as they are both genuinely exciting and should see all 4 men forced to prove something about themsevles, no matter who wins or loses.
It's not just the show in Quebec that has a genuinely interesting unbeaten prospect on the show but there is also one on a card in Florida. In this particular bout it's American based Greek Thanasis Michaloudis (7-0, 6) who will be expected to take an easy victory over Willie Chisolm (7-20, 4). Chisolm, who has only been stopped 4 times in 27 bouts, will be expected to take Michaloudis the distance though shouldn't really be able to test out the promising unbeaten man.
The Michaloudis/Chisolmbout is one of 2 Heavyweight bouts on the card with the other bout being one between Chaen Chess (3-1, 2) and Hector Hodge (1-1) in what looks like one of the least interesting Heavyweight bouts of the weekend.
Staying in the US for another moment there is a bout which sees Eugene Russell (1-0, 1) taking on fellow novice Solomon Maye (1-1, 1) in a 4 rounder in New York.
The final bout that we know about is in Mexico where the debuting Gibran Merino (0-0) takes on veteran Noe Zamora (2-6, 1) in what should be an interesting battle at the very lowest levrel