by Cliff Rold

Pick It: TBRB #10 Adam Kownacki vs. Chris Arreola (Saturday, Fox, 8 PM EST)

It’s not a loaded boxing weekend but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Kownacki (19-0, 15 KO) is starting to look like a contender and is making for fun fights while he does it.

While Arreola (38-5-1, 33 KO) never quite posted the wins that justified his place in the sanctioning body ratings over the years, he has often made for fun in the ring. Arreola is trying to make one more run and this is his last best chance. That is the recipe for an interesting heavyweight main event. Light heavyweight Marcus Browne will also be in action against faded former champion Jean Pascal.

Additional Shows to Watch For

Thursday – UFC Fight Pass (8:30 PM EST): Khytrov vs. Pham

Middleweight Ievgen Khytrov (18-2, 15 KO) has heavy hands but a lack of head movement that has stunted his growth in the paid ranks. At 30, he can’t afford another setback. Gabriel Pham (11-1, 5 KO) has won five in a row and would love to make it six.

Friday – DAZN (2 PM EST): Fowler vs. Rose

Middleweight action from the UK will be available to subscribers. Anthony Fowler (9-1, 8 KO) lost a prospect clash his last out and needs to avoid losing two in a row. Former Jr. middleweight title challenger Brian Rose (31-5, 8 KO) has won two in a row and could provide a solid veteran test.

Friday – UFC Fight Pass (10 PM EST): Wahlstrom vs. Jeffrey

Eva Wahlstrom (22-1-1, 3 KO) fell short in her attempt to win a title in a second weight class when she lost a decision to Katie Taylor last year. She returns to 130 lbs. to attempt her fifth defense of the WBC belt she’s held since 2015. Ronica Jeffrey (17-1, 1 KO) has a shot to end the reign is her first major title shot.

Friday – Telemundo (11:35 PM EST): Alamo vs. Briceno

The summer season on Telemundo wraps up with this week with a Jr. welterweight main event. Puerto Rico’s Yomar Alamo (16-0, 12 KO) shows promise at a time when the island is looking for fistic stars. He will face Mexico’s Salvador Briceno (15-4, 9 KO) as he looks to inch closer to contention.

Saturday – ESPN+ (3 PM EST): Conlan vs. Ruiz

Michael Conlan (11-0, 6 KO) makes his debut in his hometown of Belfast as he works towards contention at featherweight. Opponent Diego Ruiz (21-2, 10 KO) has won ten in a row but he’s not being brought in to make it eleven. Can Ruiz upset the apple cart?    

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.