The standout bout of the day is in Germany where the unbeaten Bulgaria Kubrat Pulev (17-0, 9) takes on former 2-time world title challenger Tony Thompson (38-3, 26). The fight, an IBF International title fight and IBF world title eliminator will see the winner lined up to fight the winner of the upcoming Wladimir Klischko-Alexander Povetkin bout.
We do favour Pulev though we know that Thompson is a potential upset for near enough and Heavyweight fighter. One thing is for sure though, who ever wins is the genuine #1 contender and has rightfully earned a title fight the old fashioned way, by fighting for it not shouting for it. We're looking at you David Haye!
The Pulev-Thompson bout is one of two Heavyweight clashes in Europe with the other seeing Ukrainian novice Yuriy Voynilenko (2-0, 2) in action at home. Voynilenko will be facing off against the experienced but limited Edgars Kalnars (22-24, 13) in a notable step up from his competition so far. This bout isn't anything exciting and we do expect a victory for the Ukrainian.
The rest of the Heavyweight action takes place across the Atlantic with the most notable bout taking place in Califnornia as former US Olympian Dominic Breazeale (5-0, 5) faces off against the more experienced Lenroy Thomas (16-2, 8). This is a big step up for Breazeale but one he should be capable of making with his amateur background, thunderous power and the fact Thomas has been out of the ring for almost 3 years. Clever match making by Golden Boy Promotions but it's clever in the right way.
Breazeale isn't the only fighter from the Olympic's in action as fellow Olympian Ytalo Perea (4-0, 3) is also in action. Perea, a devout hooker in the ring, will be looking for his fifth professional victoy in as many bouts as he faces Avery Gibson (2-2-2, 1) who has yet to be stopped in his 6 fight career.
Pera and Breazeale are two of four promising unbeaten prospects in action in the US with Alexis Santos (10-0, 9) taking on Donnie Davis (8-26, 6) in New Hampshire and Mark Rideout (3-0) facing a yet to be named opponent in New Jersey. Although we really can't say much about Rideout's bout we do feel that Santos will record his 10th stoppage victory.
The remaining US bouts both take place in Oklahoma as Darren DeLaune (1-0, 1) faces the debuting Tim Bronson (0-0) and Ben Harris (0-0) also debuts, though against a yet to be named opponent. It's difficult for us to comment on either of these matches unfortunately but with DeLaune having spent 14 months out of the ring since fighting the sole round of his career we wouldn't really be shocked at anything happening.
The remaining bout of the day takes place in Brazil as Marcelo Luiz Nascimento (16-4, 14) faces a yet to be named opponent. Best known losing to Tyson Fury back in 2011, Nascimento has lost 3 of his last 4 and is winless in almost 18 months.