Following a weekend where major bouts like Devin Haney vs. Ryan Garcia and Canelo Alvarez`s fight didn`t quite live up to the hype, boxing enthusiasts won`t have to wait long for more potentially high-quality action. Exciting matchups are scheduled to take place across various global locations, including California, Florida, England, Africa, and Japan.
Here`s a breakdown and ranking of the most significant fights happening this weekend:
1. Anthony Cacace vs. Leigh Wood – Junior Lightweight
Leigh Wood had previously expressed a desire to conclude his career with a world title fight at the City Ground, the home stadium of Nottingham Forest Football Club. Neither of these aspirations will materialize this Saturday for the 36-year-old.
Nevertheless, this junior lightweight contest holds considerable significance. Wood, holding a record of 28-3 with 17 KOs, will compete in front of his hometown supporters in Nottingham, at the indoor arena famously used by Carl Froch during his successful super middleweight career.
Anthony Cacace (23-1, 8 KOs), from Belfast, Northern Ireland, decided to vacate the IBF world title he won against Joe Cordina in May 2024 specifically to make this fight happen. Although no recognized world titles are at stake, this bout features two of the top fighters in the junior lightweight division.
Wood was previously ranked No. 1 at featherweight before relinquishing his WBA belt after a seventh-round stoppage victory over Josh Warrington in October 2023. However, Wood`s career trajectory has been stagnant since then, while Cacace has seen his career reach new heights, notably with his surprising stoppage win over Cordina in Saudi Arabia.
Cacace, also 36, has been more active, having also secured a unanimous decision win against Warrington last September. He possesses significant advantages in height and reach. As ESPN`s No. 2 ranked junior lightweight heading into this fight, he has strong reasons for confidence. Yet, the potential for Wood to overcome his long layoff, perform strongly in his debut at 130 pounds, and be inspired by his home crowd for another dramatic moment in his career remains a compelling possibility. Wood`s career has been marked by unexpected turnarounds.
The winner of this encounter would be a logical next opponent for the victor of Saturday`s WBO title fight between Emanuel Navarrete and Charly Suarez.
2. Emanuel Navarrete vs. Charly Suarez – WBO Junior Lightweight Title
Emanuel Navarrete, a three-division world champion, delivered a stunning performance in his last outing, overwhelming Oscar Valdez with a body shot in their December rematch. When fighting in that form, the Mexican boxer is undeniably a must-watch attraction.
Navarrete (39-2-1, 32 KOs) will defend his WBO junior lightweight championship against Charly Suarez (18-0, 10 KOs) from the Philippines in San Diego this Saturday. A strong performance could solidify his position at the pinnacle of the 130-pound division. Navarrete was clinical against Valdez, scoring three knockdowns before the fight was stopped. Another impressive display might persuade him to consider another attempt in the lightweight division. Navarrete previously lost a split decision to Denys Berinchyk for the WBO lightweight belt in May 2024, but he could be motivated to pursue more financially rewarding bouts at lightweight if he defeats Suarez. Alternatively, a unification title fight against WBC champion O`Shaquie Foster is also a possibility for Navarrete if he chooses to remain at 130 pounds.
| Fighter | Betting odds |
|---|---|
| Emanuel Navarrete | -500 |
| Charly Suarez | +350 |
3. Erickson Lubin vs. Ardreal Holmes Jr. – IBF Junior Middleweight Eliminator
This matchup features two southpaw fighters who are both in desperate need of a win in this IBF junior middleweight title eliminator.
Lubin (26-2, 18 KOs), hailing from Orlando, Florida, possesses more experience but is coming off a lengthy period of inactivity, having not competed since September 2023 when he won a unanimous decision against Jesus Ramos. A hand injury caused this delay. Holmes (17-0, 6 KOs), from Flint, Michigan, has less experience but carries momentum from securing three victories in 2024.
Lubin is capable of exciting performances and was involved in a memorable fight with Sebastian Fundora three years ago. The winner of Saturday`s bout in Kissimmee, Florida, will advance to face champion Bakhram Murtazaliev.
4. Fernando Martinez vs. Kazuto Ioka – Junior Bantamweight Rematch
Following their intense battle last July, Fernando Martinez and Kazuto Ioka are set to face each other again this Sunday in Tokyo, and another action-packed fight is anticipated. Martinez (17-0, 9 KOs) secured a unanimous decision victory in their previous unification title fight in Japan, largely due to outlanding Ioka.
The extent to which that grueling fight affected the 36-year-old Ioka will likely determine his ability to gain revenge and capture a world title in a third weight division.
Ioka (31-3-1, 16 KOs), from Japan, began his professional career 16 years ago. He will need to summon his past form to keep pace with the 33-year-old WBA champion from Argentina.
This rematch was originally scheduled for December but was postponed after Martinez withdrew due to illness. However, it promises to be well worth the wait.
5. Souleymane Cissokho vs. Egidijus Kavaliauskas – WBC Welterweight Eliminator
Equatorial Guinea, the location for Saturday`s fight, is situated 2,000 miles from Senegal, Souleymane Cissokho`s birthplace. Despite the distance, the fight is likely to feel like a homecoming for him. He will fulfill a long-held ambition of boxing in Africa when he meets Egidijus Kavaliauskas (24-2-1, 19 KOs) in a WBC welterweight title eliminator in Malabo, the capital city.
Cissokho (17-0, 9 KOs), who is due for a title opportunity, is based in Paris but trains in California with Virgil Hunter. A victory would secure him that highly anticipated shot and significant time in the spotlight.
An injury caused a delay to this bout, and Cissokho`s 18-month absence from the ring is a potential concern, especially as he faces a dangerous puncher in the California-based Lithuanian, Kavaliauskas.
However, Kavaliauskas has been stopped on the two occasions he has stepped up to elite competition (against Vergil Ortiz in 2021 and Terence Crawford in 2019). This appears to be a golden opportunity for a tactically astute boxer like Cissokho to secure a major fight later in the year.