Been a scorching second since I dropped a “Views” piece right here, and I figured it is time to change that. Boxing is as soon as once more in full swing, with many struggle playing cards for no less than the following 9 weeks, which supplies even this slub one thing to banter about. 2023 for struggle followers has been an excellent one to this point, with what appears like weekly Battle of the 12 months conversations week after week. For these new right here, normally, I used these as a soapbox to supply a Yelp overview of the game. Boxing opinions, y’all–this one REALLY touched nerves this week. This time round, it is all good, and this is why. March is right here. Who’s preventing?

March has a slate value watching, and it begins this weekend with Brandon Figueroa (23-1-1, 18 KOs) taking over Mark Magsayo (24-1, 16 KOs) this Saturday in Ontario, California, on Showtime. The cardboard places two tremendous featherweights in a traditional crossroads struggle to see who will seize the interim WBC Tremendous Featherweight strap. For Magsayo, it is an opportunity to regain the title daddy gained from Gary Russell Jr in 2022. Figueroa has a chance to turn into a two-division titlist, and going into this one is the slight favourite. (Click on this positive piece on Brandon by Abe Gonzalez,  now doing nice work at Big Fight Weekend, as an appetizer earlier than you tune in.)

Each saved it civil within the buildup however count on motion as soon as the bell sounds.

“I am not a giant talker, however there’s going to be a knockdown on this struggle. We’re able to take benefit,” Magsayo mentioned at Thursday’s closing presser.

Two former champs seeking to bounce again within the Cali warmth 🥵#FigueroaMagsayo is SATURDAY on @Showtime @BrandonLeeFig @markmagsayo_MMM pic.twitter.com/0RO8mlUMfn

— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) March 2, 2023

Extra boxing opinions: The tip of the month has a big-time anticipated match-up between David Benavidez and Caleb Plant on pay-per-view. Simply the Battle of the month between the highest within the Tremendous Middleweight division. In a banner yr already for soundbites and quotes, Plant utilizing davidbenavidez.com as a web site to promote merch main as much as the struggle is elite troll recreation brilliance and one thing he is been planning for some time now.

“That is one thing that has been within the making. I purchased that area again in 2018 as a result of I knew someday we would be preventing. It is only a card I saved in my again pocket, and I bought different playing cards in my again pocket as effectively,” Plant defined to Sean Zittel for Fighthype.com.

Whereas the Battle happens on the twenty fifth of this month, we have now the remainder to see what Plant will pull out of his “again pocket.” If shopping for the area identify was the start, one can solely think about what subsequent Plant will pull out.

One other contest on my radar that very same day is the return of Lawrence Okolie as he defends his WBO Cruiserweight title in opposition to David Mild. Okolie (18-0, 14 KOs) could have his first Battle with new coach SugarHil Steward in over a yr. Mild (20-0, 12 KOs) bought right here the obligatory manner and defeated Brandon Glanton by a cut up determination in December to take action. to see what occurs with the winner of this Battle in who they may problem subsequent in a skinny division.

Take the newly topped WBC champion in Badou Jack (28-3-3, 17 KOs) off that record, as he has a compulsory next-up in opposition to Noel Gevor Mikaelyan (26-2, 11 KOs). Mikaelyan, for these unaware, is promoted by Don King and resides in Miami, Florida. What a scorching potato the belt would have been ongoing from Ilunga Makabu (promoted by Don King) to Jack at present and presumably again to a King-promoted fighter once more in Mikaelyan, ought to he face and defeat Jack.

Let the fantasy reserving start.

Jake Paul Misplaced, What’s Subsequent?

Jake Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) misplaced to Tommy Fury (9-0, 4 KOs) by cut up determination Sunday, and for everybody saying he wasn’t an actual boxer, you missed the aftermath proving that he was. Between COVID in coaching camp, and questioning the scorecards in-ring post-fight, he looks like a pure. I did not should be gained over, however Paul’s motivational message in defeat is one I’ve learn on Fb:

“Do not choose me by my wins, choose me by my losses. Congrats to Tommy, his crew and his household. Thanks to everybody that tuned in. Saudi Arabia thanks as effectively. I can be again,” Paul said on social media following the loss.

I am fairly certain I’ve learn that from pals going via a difficult relationship or time however shedding a comparatively boring struggle behind the ambiance and backdrop of a flowery “WBC Cares” banquet in Saudi Arabia is not this. Paul mentioned they’d run it again as there’s a rematch clause. Given the time it has taken for this Battle to materialize since Jake Paul turned professional, we’ll see if that goes via. If Fury does not go for the 2nd Battle, Paul can be OK with whoever is in line subsequent. Both manner, the frontman of Most Priceless Promotions can be again, and we’ll all be ready.

Closing Observations/Boxing Opinions

–New IBF junior welterweight champion Subriel Matias–try the Gayle Falkenthal report on his win over Jeremias Ponce–can be an issue to whoever is on the other aspect of him.

I wrote final yr about his arrival, and his presence is one to be revered. Will it result in a unification struggle with Regis Prograis? Spark up the hopium that it does, however a fan requested the WBC champ Prograis about it, and he was not impressed.

It’s ranges to this https://t.co/WE9Qhtjzym

— Rougarou (@RPrograis) February 26, 2023

–Up to now, the front-runner for Knockout of the 12 months should be Liam Smith sending Chris Eubank Jr. into one other dimension in January. It was a shot nobody noticed coming and confirmed within the fourth-round stoppage.

–As I discussed, there have been loads of good fights to this point. My Battle of the yr chief heading into March is Artur Beterbiev vs. Anthony Yarde. It is too early to see if that holds up and the way this yr seems; it should not. Some already will disagree with that choose.

—Creed III is out in theatres, and whereas I am going to go away the location overview to Captain David Phillips right here, I count on this movie to be good. The way in which Creed 2 ended, it could not be any worse.

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