LightWeight

Derry Mathews will be hoping he can seize the chance to become a world champion when he takes on Richar Abril on April 18.

The experienced Liverpudlian will have home advantage when he faces the reigning WBA champion at the Echo Arena.

While Mathews gets his shot at glory, spare a thought for the Englishman who was initially lined up to take on the Cuban.

Anthony Crolla had worked himself into a position to challenge Abril, only for the January bout to have to be called off when the Mancunian was badly injured trying to prevent a burglary.

Crolla suffered a fractured skull and a broken ankle, though thankfully the 28-year-old has made a full recovery, as he confirmed via his Twitter account:

Like to say a huge thank u to @mrjohnleach who's one of the top neurosurgeons who has reviewed my brain scans today and I'm made up that

— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) March 12, 2015

there's no permanent damage from December and I'll be fine to box on. Thanks also to @mike_hayton for putting me in touch with @mrjohnleach

— anthony crolla (@ant_crolla) March 12, 2015

Now Crolla is hoping to return to action in late May, per the Daily Star, and has set his sights on facing the winner of the Abril versus Mathews bout.

While the circumstances in which the opportunity came about may be far from ideal, few can deny "Dirty" Derry does not deserve a shot at the big time.

Mathews has a 37-9-2 professional record, with 20 of his victories coming via knockout. Win, lose or draw, he often entertains.

Crolla failed to win either of their two meetings, with Mathews winning the first by stoppage in 2012 before the rematch the following year ended in a draw. 

Mathews has won the English, British and Commonwealth titles at the weight limit, plus he has enjoyed the added benefit of having a warm-up fight after Abril had to withdraw from the initial date due to a virus.

He has, though, had some bumps along the road.

Welshman Gavin Rees, a former world champion himself, stopped Mathews in the ninth round when the pair fought in 2012, one of nine defeats the 31-year-old has suffered.

It might well have been 10 losses had he not turned things around so spectacularly against Tommy Coyle last year. Struggling to impose himself through the previous nine rounds, he produced a stunning left hand in the 10th that flattened the Hull fighter, as you can see in the YouTube clip below: 

Abril’s 19-3-1 (8 KOs) record suggests Mathews will have to dig deep again to become a world champion—the Cuban may have lost three times, but all of his defeats were on the scorecards.

His most recent reverse came in 2012 against Brandon Rios, who had failed to make weight for the bout and according to many, including Kevin Iole of Yahoo! Sports, was fortunate to get the decision.

Scott Christ of Badlefthook.com claimed in the immediate aftermath that Abril had been “screwed, robbed and jobbed” by the ringside officials in Las Vegas.

The result does not seem to have affected Abril too badly. He picked up the WBA strap in his next outing, against Sharif Bogere, and has since successfully defended it once since then, against Edis Tatil in Finland.

The Ring Magazine places the 32-year-old only behind Terence Crawford, Omar Figueroa and Raymundo Beltran in their current lightweight rankings.

Mathews, though, rates him as the best of the lot, per Boxnation.com, meaning he understands the size of the task he faces in dethroning the champion: "He's the best of the world lightweight champions and he's got the amateur pedigree coming from Cuba which has produced legendary fighters."

The one thing in Mathews’ favour is he has been far more active than the champion.

Abril has fought only three times since the start of 2012. His attorney, Greg Bloom, admitted to the Sun Sentinel that finding opponents has not been an easy task:

We're between a rock and a hard place in the sense that they know how good he is so it's very hard to find fighters who want to fight him.

And TV usually shies away from it because they know he's going to go the distance and he's not particularly a knockout artist.

Other champions don't want to fight him, people are avoiding him.

Mathews has never backed down from fighting anybody.

He accepts he is the underdog yet also knows this is an opportunity he has to take at this stage in his career, per the Liverpool Echo: "I believe that I’m up against it, but I know that this is the one biggest moment of my life and I’m not going to blow it."

Sometimes, the best laid plans can go awry.

When Martin Gethin dropped Tommy Coyle with a left hand in the second round of their fight Saturday, the possibility of a much-talked-about summer bout between Coyle and fellow Hull fighter Luke Campbell looked in serious danger.

Coyle, though, showed impressive powers of recovery to make sure the clash between the two local lads remains on track.

He climbed off the canvas, survived the rest of the round and slowly began to work his way back into the fight.

The victory he so desperately wanted in order to keep his bout with Campbell alive came after the fifth had ended—albeit out of the blue.

With the bout firmly in the balance, Gethin was forced to pull out due to an ear problem, per the Express & Star.

"I was confident the fight would go my way, but then in an exchange in the third, my ears went," Gethin said.

The injury problem for the former British champion cut short an interesting spectacle.

Gethin had been cautious from the first bell yet had delivered a demonstration of his power with the knockdown in the second round.

Yet just as he had done against Daniel Brizuela, when he was sent to the canvas on four occasions, Coyle had found a way to win. This tweet rather summed it up perfectly: 

Watching @TommyCoyle89 is like watching a Rocky film

— luke hyland 💙 (@lukehyland87) March 8, 2015

Coyle was apologetic afterwards, telling Sky Sports in his post-fight interview, "Sorry it was a short night, but let's all look forward to the summer showdown with Luke Campbell."

He had no need to say sorry to the crowd or to the viewers watching the coverage. Whether his fights go the distance or not, Coyle always entertains. 

The 25-year-old admitted he had trouble remaining focused, per the Hull Daily Mail, because of what was on the line:

The fight against Luke, it's something I want so badly. I want it for the city, for the fans, but also for myself for my own career and my progression.

With that fight dangled in front of me, there was a lot of pressure to come through against a very good opponent in Gethin.

Half my brain was on Luke, half on Gethin. Martin is a great fighter and I am just thankful I came through and can now get that mega fight with my good friend Luke.

Unlike Coyle, Campbell had no concerns during his outing on the same card.

The 2012 Olympic gold medalist had withdrawn from the "Divide and Conquer" bill on March 7 due to the ill health of his father (h/t Daily Star) but decided to appear in his home city after consulting his family.

Levis Morales was never expected to give him too much trouble, and Campbell duly dispatched the Nicaraguan inside three rounds.

The win stretched Campbell's perfect record to 10-0.

He will have one final hurdle to clear before taking on Coyle—the Hull Daily Mail suggested he will be back in action again in April on the undercard to Lee Selby's bid to win the IBF featherweight title.           

The 27-year-old has passed every test that has been put in front of him by promoter Eddie Hearn though Coyle will comfortably be a step up from any of the opponents he has fought so far.

The pair will put their long friendship to one side when they go toe-to-toe, as Coyle stated in a tweet:

It will be an honour to share a ring with the Olympic Champ this Summer. Got my work cut out but I can't wait. 👊 pic.twitter.com/pawCKLEh1G

— Tommy Coyle (@TommyCoyle89) March 8, 2015

Both men are confident of victory, as is to be expected.

Campbell, per Chris McKenna of the Daily Star, expects a stoppage success in his favour.

"I think it will be a knockout win," Campbell said. "It will be exploit and finish. It will be no problem."

Coyle is just as confident, as he told Sky Sports.

"Luke's my pal, you all know that," Coyle said. "We're from the same city, we have been all over the world together, but he has not been in with nobody yet, and I think I'm going to knock him out, and he's my pal."

It will be an intriguing battle between the boxing skills and fast hands of Campbell against the fighting instincts and huge heart of Coyle.

The residents of Hull will have to pick a side to support. Picking a winner, however, could be a much tougher choice.

Tommy Coyle's clash with Martin Gethin tops an interesting Matchroom Sports bill at the Ice Arena in Hull, England, on Saturday.

The card, promoted as "Divide and Conquer," is as much about a fight that is set to happen in the future as one that will actually take place on the night.

Local lad Coyle (20-2, nine KOs) knows a win will move him closer to taking on fellow Hull fighter Luke Campbell—it would be a huge domestic showdown that would excite the entire city.

However, he must first get past Gethin (25-6-1, 11 KOs), an experienced campaigner who has previously won the British lightweight title.

Having initially pulled out of fighting on the undercard due to his father's ill health, per Sky Sports, Campbell will now also be in action.

The 2012 Olympic gold medalist will take on Nicaraguan Levis Morales in an eight-rounder.

https://twitter.com/KuganCassius/status/573252309913899008

When: Saturday, March 7 at 10 p.m. GMT

Where: Ice Arena, Hull, England

TV: Sky Sports

Live Stream: Sky Sports (subscription required and region restricted)

Staying Focused

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beDNkTWrQYQ

Coyle has acknowledged during fight week that it has been hard for him not to look beyond Gethin, per Matchroom Boxing: "The fight with Luke is hanging over my head, but I have to do a job on Martin for that fight to remain as big as it is. I will concentrate on Martin because he is a tough, tough opponent. He has won a British title, something I have never won before, so I have to be at my very best."

Once the first bell sounds, though, all thoughts of Campbell should disappear from his mind. Coyle has to get past a seasoned opponent who, if not taken seriously, could throw a spanner in the works.

He has not cut corners in training, judging by his recent tweet:

Training complete stats done, resting heart rate of 35 today & 5% body fat. Only thing left to do is have a tear up👊 pic.twitter.com/VqYXgThJqZ

— Tommy Coyle (@TommyCoyle89) March 3, 2015

Coyle did not waste any time in his last outing, stopping Michael Katsidis inside two rounds. The veteran Australian may be past his best, but the manner of the victory was still impressive.

The win over Katsidis was Coyle's fifth in a row since falling short against Derry Mathews in his bid to become Commonwealth champion.

Expect Fireworks

.@Martin_Gethin chatting with the @SkySportsBoxing cameras #DivideAndConquer pic.twitter.com/xv2S2x0zZw

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 4, 2015

Nothing would please Gethin more than playing the role of party pooper.

The 31-year-old, per the Hull Daily Mail, is expecting a "very intense" fight, saying: "It'll be more like an ice hockey punch-up."

Gethin has the temperament and talent to make it a tough night, even if he has been beaten in three of his last four bouts.

He lost on points to British champion Mathews last May. His attempt to win the same title after it had been vacated, against Terry Flanagan, was then cut short by an ear injury.

He did get the better of Kevin McCauley last time out, though a cut above his left eye after an accidental head clash meant the contest had to be called off in the fifth.

Still, The Quiet Man from Walsall will be determined to make himself heard in Hull.

Family Matters

Campbell's presence on the card adds to the occasion—if both he and Coyle win, expect a joint interview between the pair to confirm they will meet in the ring later in 2015. Matchroom Boxing shared some of Campbell's thoughts on the potential matchup:

.@luke11campbell: Luke: everyone in the city wants to see me and Tommy fight. If you keep winning then these fights get made.

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 4, 2015

.@luke11campbell: Luke: a fight between me and Tommy could be the first time a boxing event fills a stadium in Hull.

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) March 4, 2015

The 27-year-old Campbell has been through tough personal times of late after his father was diagnosed with cancer (h/t the Daily Mail), but his family has persuaded him to fight, per Matchroom Boxing:

It took a bit of thinking over to make the decision to fight, but it is what I love to do and it is what keeps my family focused. They are excited for me to get in the ring and do what I do best.

It is one of those things I want everything to be normal, and I am getting on with what I am doing.

His 10th outing in the paid ranks should not be too troubling. Morales has an 11-1-1 record but has never fought outside of his home country.

Prediction

The main event should provide fireworks. Coyle and Gethin are aggressive fighters and will not have to look too far to find each other.

Mathews has beaten both of them, though the Liverpudlian said in the immediate aftermath to knocking out Coyle, per Sky Sports, "He bullied me today, I've got a lot of respect for him—this man will come again."

Mathews' prediction has come true. Coyle has been unbeaten since that 10th-round stoppage in July 2013.

There may be little to choose between Coyle and Gethin in the early stages, but expect the former to come on strong as the fight progresses. He will win by stoppage in either the eighth or ninth round.

Kevin Mitchell finds himself on the brink of another world-title shot after his victory over Daniel Estrada on Saturday night.

The 30-year-old forced a stoppage in the eighth round at the O2 Arena in London, securing him the WBC Silver Lightweight belt.

More importantly, though, he has moved himself to the front of the queue to take on reigning WBC champion Jorge Linares.

BOXING: Congratulations to @KevinMitchell6 on winning the WBC Lightweight eliminator by stopping Daniel Estrada at the O2 #COYI

— West Ham United (@WestHam) January 31, 2015

Estrada—who had already failed in an attempt to take the WBC belt from Omar Figueroa back in September of last year—was an opponent Mitchell admitted he simply could not afford to lose to.

The Mexican arrived in the English capital boosted not only by the presence of compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez in his corner, but also knowing he held a 2.5-inch reach advantage over his opponent.

Mitchell, though, made light of being the shorter of the two.

He used his speed to stay out of range in a punch-perfect display that Jeff Powell of the Daily Mail described as a “dazzling exhibition" of boxing.

Great performance from @KevinMitchell6 tonight! Congrats mate! 👊

— Joe Calzaghe (@JoeCalzagheCBE) January 31, 2015

Huge well done to @KevinMitchell6 tonight too! Great win that is! Now time for him to finally capture that world title.. #WorldClassOperator

— Tony Bellew (@TonyBellew) February 1, 2015

What a performance from @KevinMitchell6 - that was against a world class opponent.
Different kid when he's focused & 100% on his game.

— Dave Coldwell (@davidcoldwell) February 1, 2015

Mitchell had already put his rival down once already, in the third round, when a left hook landed with such force in the eighth that referee Ian-John Lewis stepped in to end the contest. 

Estrada—with his face badly marked up—did not complain at the timing of the stoppage. The defeat was his fourth as a professional and second when fighting outside of his homeland.

In contrast, Mitchell has now won six in a row since being beaten by Ricky Burns in 2012.

That loss is one of two the Londoner has suffered since turning pro, the other coming at the hands of Australian Michael Katsidis two years earlier.

Both defeats were in tilts for a world title, albeit had he beaten Katsidis at Upton Park, the home of his beloved West Ham Football Club, he would have been crowned interim WBO champion.

Mitchell admitted, per Nick Parkinson in the Daily Star, that personal problems had played a part in the only two blips on his record: "I blew loads of money on drink after the Katsidis fight. I took the fight against Ricky but I had been back out drinking and partying."

However, a new girlfriend and a return to trainer Tony Sims—a man he worked with so successfully during an amateur career that saw him claim the ABA Featherweight belt—has helped get him back on track. 

With life more settled outside of the ring, Mitchell has been able to focus fully on his career again.

Sims, per Sky Sports, was full of praise for his boxer on Saturday night: “He’s a great fighter, definitely world title material, I’ve told him all along that all he’s got to do is get in shape and work hard in the gym.” 

Linares—who was born in Venezuela but is now based in Japan—is the man now in Mitchell’s sights.

The South American fighter defeated Javier Prieto in Tokyo last December to claim the belt after it had been stripped from Figueroa’s possession by the WBC.

Powell, though, reported on Sunday [h/t Mail Online] that Linares might be allowed to pick an opponent for a voluntary defence, possibly in April, rather than fight his mandatory challenger next.

Such a scenario would mean Mitchell has to be patient for his title tilt.

But, having admitted in his post-fight comments to dreaming of becoming a world champion since the age of 10, Mitchell should not worry about having to wait an extra couple of months for his opportunity.

British boxing comes back to life in 2015 on Saturday night with an intriguing battle between two fighters who know a defeat could derail their bids to win a world title. 

Local boy Kevin Mitchell (38-2, 28 KO) and Mexican Daniel Estrada (32-3-1 24 KO) will do battle for the vacant WBC silver lightweight title at the O2 Arena in London.

Both men know, however, that more is on the line than just a minor belt. A loss is a final elimination that neither can really afford.

They boast similar records and have both fallen short in previous attempts to become world champion at the weight limit.

Poor preparation proved costly for Mitchell when he met Australian Michael Katsidis back in 2010, while he found fellow Brit Ricky Burns too much to handle two years later.

Estrada, meanwhile, comes into this fight off the back of a failed bid to wrestle the WBC strap from the possession of Omar Figueroa—who has since been stripped of the title due to injury—in September of last year.

However, the 29-year-old has the added boost of legendary compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez in his corner for what promises to be an intriguing battle.

https://twitter.com/JamesHelder_/status/561182648216072192

When: Saturday, Jan. 31

Where: O2 Arena, London, England

TV: Sky Sports 1 HD (live from 8 p.m.)

Live Stream: Sky Sports (subscription required)

Tale of the Tape

Per BoxRec	Kevin Mitchell	Daniel Estrada
Record:	38-2, 28 KO	32-3-1, 24 KO
Height:	5'8"	5′10.5"
Reach:	68"	71.5"
Weight:	134 lbs	134 lbs
Age:	30	29
Stance:	Orthodox	Orthodox
Hometown:	Dagenham, England	Mexico City, Mexico
Rounds:	205	187

"The Hammer" must deliver

Mitchell made it clear at Thursday's pre-fight press conference that he understands the importance of this fight: "Time is running out. I have 40 fights, I am nearly 30—this is my last shot." 

He has already had a solid career, winning British and Commonwealth titles down at super featherweight.

Clearly, though, Mitchell yearns to be a world champion before he hangs up his gloves. To achieve that goal, he really cannot afford to lose to Estrada.

One would hope that he learned from the Katsidis defeat, one that was made even more painful as it happened to him at Upton Park, the home of his beloved West Ham Football Club.

He also needs to make sure there is no repeat of his last bout. Mitchell defeated Ghislain Maduma last May but failed to make check-in weight on the day of the fight, meaning he could not become the mandatory challenger for the IBF title, per Mike Dawes of the Daily Mail.

There's no doubting Mitchell's talent, but hopefully the penny has now dropped and he'll display the dedication and attention to detail required to get to the very top.

Backed by the best

.@EddieHearn & @jmmarquez_1 at the #CapitalPunishment presser earlier. #Jan31 pic.twitter.com/5b2paGrIvI

— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) January 29, 2015

The support Estrada has in his corner could be crucial if he is going to upset the odds in the English capital.

Marquez knows what it takes to become a world champion, and his guidance may be required as his fellow countryman bids to record his first professional win on foreign soil.

Estrada put up a valiant show in the defeat to Figueroa: He was willing to stand and trade with the champion in a bout that featured on the undercard of Kell Brook's victory over Shawn Porter in California.

Such tactics could be foolish against a slick puncher like Mitchell, though he may believe dragging his rival into a war will give him the best chance for success.

According to Matchroom Sports, Marquez insists Estrada has put in the hard work during a 10-week training camp: "He comes motivated and with this big hope to win. Every fighter’s dream is to fight for the World title. That’s why he is here in England."

Prediction

The question is: Can Mitchell cope with the added pressure of knowing his dream could be dashed with another defeat?

He has done everything required of him since losing to Burns, winning his last five outings.

Estrada, though, is a particularly dangerous opponent. He showed against Figueroa that he does not mind mixing it up. That seems to be his best chance to triumph on the road.

Mitchell does not need to be dragged into the trenches, however. His performance in beating John Murray back in 2011 shows he has the skills to cope with a pressure fighter.

He should have just enough to come out on top in the end, possibly via a late stoppage.

The top boxers in the lightweight ranks appear to have a daring new challenger to contend with in the powerful Ivan Redkach, who remains undefeated after a convincing knockout win over journeyman Yakubu Amidu on Friday night at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa in Cabazon, California.

Redkach (18-0, 14 KOs) knocked Amidu (21-6-2, 19 KOs) down twice in the sixth round in stunning fashion. Amidu would finish out the round, but was unwilling to go another frame with his powerful opponent and called it quits from the stool.

Congrats to @IRedkach on his impressive victory in tonight's #ShoBox main event. pic.twitter.com/xAQqMFHyOq

— All the Smoke Fight (@ats_fight) January 10, 2015

This result was likely exactly what Redkach had in mind when he laid out his plans for 2015, per ESPN.com's Dan Rafael.

“This is my year. This is the year I’m going to break out and earn that title shot,” Redkach said prior to the bout."

A bold statement, to be sure, but Redkach's reputation isn't in question after Friday night. He also correctly predicted his route to victory.

"I am going to try to knock [Amidu] out so I can get closer to a championship fight in 2015,” he said, per Rafael. “No matter what, we are both very strong fighters and I don’t think it will go 10 rounds.”

Redkach gained control of the fight from the opening bell and hardly let up in the ensuing 18 minutes of action. Friday night featured a crowded slate of boxing on television, and this was the bout UCNLive.com's Steve Kim was looking forward to the most:

For my money, my favorite fight of the night is Redkach vs Amidu. I think that'll be a good scrap on SHOBOX... #boxing

— Steve Kim - the Thomas Sowell of Boxing (@SteveKim323) January 9, 2015

The bout was definitely lopsided, but in terms of action and pace, it did not disappoint.

Redkach used his superior speed and power to put pressure on Amidu through the first three rounds. The 28-year-old southpaw worked his angles well early on, and Amidu seemed willing to fight inside, but struggled to open up and throw combinations.

Showtime Sports noted Redkach was outworking Amidu early:

Through 2 rounds here and @IRedkach is out working the opposition. #ShoBox

— All the Smoke Fight (@ats_fight) January 10, 2015

Amidu didn't move around the ring much or force Redkach to defend early on, a baffling strategy as he refused to let his hands go. He appeared content to load up with his heavy hands and parcel out the blows, rather than throw everything together at once.

This allowed Redkach to win the majority of the early exchanges and keep the fight in the center of the ring. He didn't need to walk down Amidu and had plenty of time to line up his combinations. He recorded a particularly excellent string of blows midway through the fourth, battering Amidu's head in a devastating four-punch combo that brought a rare chorus of cheers from the sparse Morongo crowd.

Showtime Sports has the highlights from the entertaining round:

. @iredkach going to work on Amidu as things heat up here on #ShoBox http://t.co/rYBij9Ch1Z

— All the Smoke Fight (@ats_fight) January 10, 2015

Amidu drew the referee's ire with a low-blow early on in the fifth round, a rather disappointing development considering he had finally increased the pace and stemmed the tide of blows coming from Redkach. 

The Ghanian-born Amidu didn't heed the ref's warning and lost a point toward the end of the fifth after a second low blow. Redkach, to his credit, retaliated with a furious flurry of punches to end the round.

The sixth-round was disastrous for Amidu. Redkach rocked Amidu a minute into the round with a stone-handed right straight to the jaw, which immediately sent the 30-year-old journeyman to the canvas. Showtime Sports provided a look at the mayhem:

. @iredkach closes the show on #ShoBox http://t.co/MfpK9BIYBa

— All the Smoke Fight (@ats_fight) January 10, 2015

Amidu, still clearly dazed after an eight count, had nothing left. Redkach came right back and forced his wobbly opponent into the ropes, unloading with a wild barrage of punches, capped by a vicious right hook, that sent Amidu right back to the canvas.

Somewhat surprisingly, the referee didn't stop the fight, and Amidu mitigated the suffering to close out the round, per Kim:

Amidu hits the deck twice in the sixth, barely is able to continue and then actually battles back vs Redkach a bit #boxing

— Steve Kim - the Thomas Sowell of Boxing (@SteveKim323) January 10, 2015

Amidu would rightly call it quits during the brief intermission, handing Redkach a well-deserved knockout victory.

RingTV.com's Douglass Fischer noted Redkach benefited from good training during the bout:

Robert Garcia is a good fit for Redkach. Robert's got him punching hard with both hands. Gave good advice between rounds #boxing @SHOsports

— Douglass Fischer (@dougiefischer) January 10, 2015

Redkach must work quickly to take advantage of his obvious talent. He's already closing in on 30 years of age and needs to ensure that his next few bouts feature opponents of steadily increasing quality. He has the talent and drive to make good on his gifts in the squared circle; all he needs is the right opportunity.

As for Amidu, his career is in a major slump that will be difficult to overcome. He's 1-4-1 in his last six bouts and fought just one opponent in 2014. The lack of action will make it difficult to schedule beatable opponents, and he could finish out his career as cannon fodder for ascendant pros like Redkach if he isn't careful.

With the new year comes a look at some of the top new fighters on the boxing scene, and Friday night shouldn't disappoint boxing fans looking for a taste of the pugilists looking to dominate headlines in the sport in the coming years.

There is a bevy splashed across the TV landscape on Friday, but fans of the sweet science would be remiss if they missed out on a potentially entertaining scrap between Ivan Redkach (17-0, 13 KOs) and Yakubu Amidu (21-5-2, 19 KOs) on Jan. 9. at the Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, in Cabazon, California.

Redkach is a hot prospect looking to make a name for himself in the hot California desert, but Amidu's solid standing in the world of boxing makes him a dangerous opponent for this young brawler to overlook. Nevertheless, here's to those working their way up in the world.

On the undercard, middleweight Ievgen Khytrov (7-0, 7 KOs) will take on Maurice Louishome (8-0-1, 4 KOs) and promising 22-year-old Patrick Day (9-0-1, 5 KOs) squares off against Alantez Fox (13-0-1, 4 KOs).

Here is a look at the viewing info for the fight, followed by a quick preview of the main event.

Ivan Redkach vs. Yakubu Amidu Fight Info

Date: Friday, Jan. 9

Time (ET): 11 p.m.

Location: Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California

TV: Showtime

Live Stream: Showtime Anytime (subscription required)

Redkach-Amidu Preview

Redkach is 28 years old and looking to make the leap from rising star to full-blown contender. ESPN.com's Dan Rafael named him one of the top 20 prospects of 2013 and gave an assessment of his strengths in the ring:

A southpaw, Redkach has been devastating as a pro. He's gifted offensively, attacks the body and has a relentless style. He should be ready for meaningful fights in 2014, which he will kick off Jan. 17 against Canada's Tony Luis. Redkach was limited to three fights in 2013, winning two by early KO (the other ended in a no-decision because of an accidental head-butt).

The Ukrainian puncher certainly had himself a year to build upon in 2014, even if the fight calendar was a bit empty.

He dominated Tony Luis in a 10-round unanimous-decision victory on Jan. 17, knocking Luis down in the first and controlling the bout throughout. The Los Angeles-based fighter then went on to hand Sergey Gulyakevich just the third loss of his 11-year pro career in June in another win by unanimous decision.

Redkach doesn't fight often, but when he steps into the squared circle, he makes it look easy with an aggressive style and pretty combinations. He also has plenty of experience despite what's on his professional ledger; Redkach participated in over 300 amateur fights before turning pro.

Redkach is on the doorstep of the lightweight division's upper tier, but he's going to have to bust down the entryway at some point considering he fought just twice last year and is inching toward his 30s. Of course, it's quite possible forces outside the ring have slowed the boxer's ascent, per his own account.

"That’s what I wished,” Redkach said through his translator Edward Grigoryan, via RingTV.com's Anson Wainwright. “It was (a) management issue. Now I am with Al Haymon, probably everything will go faster.”

One might find it difficult to move quickly in the ring against Amidu, a determined brawler who knows how to dig into an opponent and turn events into a slugfest.

The 30-year-old with the alias "Black Mamba"—unclear who earned it first, him or Mr. Kobe Bryant—is more than just cannon fodder for potentially elite fighters, although his recent results might suggest otherwise.

Amidu is 1-3-1 over his last five bouts, dating back to Jan. 2012. The one win was a TKO victory over the lowly Rynell Griffin, who was 7-18-2 heading into that bout. Amidu's most recent contest was a split-decision loss to Chris Rudd in ESPN's 2014 Boxcino lightweight tournament quarterfinals back in February.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l61hMFjVWRE

That result was a bit wonky, as the four judges were split evenly after the scheduled six rounds, forcing the two boxers to go back for a seventh round, which went in Rudd's favor, per BoxRec.com.

It's possible the sting of the loss has completely dissipated at this point, but 11 months is quite the layoff for any fighter serious about staying in the game and avoiding complete anonymity. This isn't necessarily his own fault, however. Amidu was schedule to fight 29-year-old Anthony Peterson in a junior welterweight bout in December.

Rafael reported in December that Amidu pulled out of the fight, but RingTV.com's Francisco Salazar provided a different take on the matter in January:

"Amidu was scheduled to fight Anthony Peterson on Dec. 20 in Shelton, Washington. According to Bobby Hitz, Amidu was replaced by Hector Velazquez at the request of Barry Hunter, who trains Peterson. "

UCNLive.com's Steve Kim gave his take, which does seem to bolster Amidu's reputation a bit:

So hold on, Anthony Peterson and his camp basically ducked Yakubu Amidu?!?! yeah, they've been Haymonized, alright #boxing

— Steve Kim - the Thomas Sowell of Boxing (@SteveKim323) December 17, 2014

Amidu doesn't rely much on speed, which should help in this case, but if he comes out flat or lacks sharpness Redkach should punish him. After all, the ascendant pro has bigger bouts in mind.

"I am going to concentrate on my upcoming fight Jan. 9, but I’ve always been thinking and dreaming of a fight with Jorge Linares," said Redkach, via Wainwright.

This should be a hard-fought contest, but Redkach is clearly the main draw here and for good reason. Amidu is a stepping stone—a status that can bring the best out of some fighters if they do indeed feel slighted—and Redkach is primed to make a big leap on Friday.

It’s safe to say that challenger Raymundo Beltran (26-6-1, 17 KO) is going to have his hands full Saturday in Omaha, Nebraska. 

It’s one thing going up against the undefeated WBO lightweight champion Terence Crawford (24-0, 17 KO) and all his athleticism and speed, but it’s another thing entirely to do it in front of Crawford’s hometown fans. There is a lot that Beltran will have to overcome if he wants to take home the title of lightweight champion.

Here is a look at all the essential information for the fight:

When: Saturday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m. ET

Where: CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska

TV: HBO

Live Stream: BoxNation (subscription required and region restricted)  

Odds: Terence Crawford -625, Raymundo Beltran +400, via Odds Shark as of Friday morning at 11 a.m. ET

As mentioned, the crowd is going to be something of a factor. Crawford’s first title defense came in Omaha against Yuriorkis Gamboa, and the energy from the crowd helped Crawford overcome a slow start and take control of the fight from the fourth round until he stopped Gamboa in the ninth.

Crawford knocked Gamboa down on multiple occasions, much to the crowd’s delight, and unleashed a clinic of athleticism, speed and impressive footwork to announce to the boxing world that he was a dominant force in the lightweight division.

That relentless attack style is going to be an issue for Beltran for a number of reasons. For one, Crawford boasts a formidable reach at 70 inches (per Boxrec) that will allow him to keep Beltran at a distance and block any critical offenses.

While the reach advantage will help on the defensive side of things, Crawford’s technical skills and overall footwork are more impressive than Beltran’s. Crawford will look to unleash his signature and speedy jab to control the flow of the match, and that aggressiveness is exactly what the crowd will want to see. 

Don’t overlook Beltran, though, because he is a bruising fighter who can absorb a number of punches (which he will need to do against Crawford) and then counter with powerful blows of his own.

The issue for Beltran is more that Crawford is the better technical boxer, and this one could go the distance because of Beltran’s ability to absorb blows.

That means Crawford’s overall skill advantage will ultimately determine the judges' verdict.

Guy Docetoni of Heavy.com outlined a plan of attack for Crawford against the powerful Beltran, which focused on establishing himself early (which would certainly provide some momentum in front of a raucous crowd):

Crawford should try to come out strong and make a statement early in the fight, as Beltran usually takes a couple of rounds to warm up. Throughout the fight he should work his jab, doubling and tripling it up to keep Beltran outside and disrupt his rhythm. He must keep his distance at all times and be careful not to be drawn into the brawler’s fight.

Beltran is an excellent counter-puncher. So when getting off first, Crawford should be quick to use his foot-speed and upper body movement to avoid counters.

Another factor in this fight is the fact that they both share a common opponent in a battle for the WBO lightweight title.

Beltran got the first shot at Scotland’s Ricky Burns overseas and virtually dominated the proceedings. He broke Burns' jaw, knocked him down in the eighth round and left little doubt who the winner of the fight should have been. The problem is, the judges seized on that little doubt and awarded Burns with a controversial draw.

The fact that it was in Burns’ home country made the outcome all the more questionable.

Beltran noted that the title should be his, via Lem Satterfield of RingTV.com:

It should be mine but it’s not. I’m more focused on the fight that’s in front of me right now, so what happened in the past is in the past and they didn’t give me the [WBO] belt. 

That’s already in the past, so, right now, it’s about what’s going to happen on Saturday night. So I’m more focused on that night. But I’m focused on getting what truly belongs to me, and to really get it, and that’s the belt.

As for Crawford’s fight against Burns, he took control in the fourth round and manhandled Burns. While Beltran was the clear winner in his bout, Crawford left zero doubt in dominating fashion and was given the victory in a unanimous decision.

From there, Crawford became a boxing star in the making and will likely move up from his current weight class with a win over Beltran.

While Beltran is more than capable of dealing with Crawford’s aggressiveness and then countering with attacks of his own, the champ's technical skill advantage and the energy from the home crowd will be too much in the end.

Crawford is just the better and more athletic boxer who will look to establish dominance early and ride it from there to another victory.

That beautiful zero in the loss column for Crawford won’t change Saturday.

Prediction: Crawford in a unanimous decision.

 

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The man who has put Omaha boxing back on the map will again treat his hometown crowd to his extraordinary talents. WBO lightweight champion Terence "Bud" Crawford (24-0, 17 KO) will defend his title against rugged contender Raymundo "Sugar" Beltran (29-6-1, 17 KO) on Saturday night at the CenturyLink Center.

Steve Kim of UCN Live expects nearly 15,000 fans will come to support Crawford in his hometown.

So what's the over/under on the attendance for Crawford-Beltran this weekend? I'll guestimate 14,500 #boxing

— Steve Kim - the Thomas Sowell of Boxing (@SteveKim323) November 25, 2014

This will be Crawford's second defense of the title he won from Ricky Burns in March. He stopped Yuriorkis Gamboa in June to successfully defend the strap in a thrilling bout that also took place in the CenturyLink Center.

Beltran will be getting his second crack at the WBO title. He too faced Burns in Sept. 2013 but had to settle for a draw in a controversial decision.

Beltran is hoping to come away with more favorable results this time. The bout will be televised live on HBO as part of the Boxing After Dark series. IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich will also be defending his title against Jayson Velez on the card.

When: Saturday, Nov. 29 at 10 p.m. ET

Where: CenturyLink Center in Omaha, Nebraska

TV: HBO

Live Stream: Box Nation (subscription required and region restricted)

The Book on Crawford

If you've seen Crawford fight, there's almost no denying the fact that he brings something special to the table. His quickness, competitiveness, in-ring IQ and punching power make for an intriguing and effective combination.

Crawford is the rare, pure boxer who will put butts in seats because of his action-packed style. He's exploded on the scene over the last 18 months and taken the lightweight division by storm.

There's nothing left for him to accomplish at 135 pounds, and that's why it's time for a new challenge. Per Lem Satterfield of The Ring, Crawford is ready for bigger things. The Nebraskan said: “This is my last fight at 135 and then I’m moving up. I’ve been at this weight since I was 17, so that’s 10 years. I just feel like it’s in my best interest to move up. But right now, I’m focused on my next fight against Beltran.”

Taking a look at the biggest names at 135 pounds reveals why Crawford has to move up if he's to maximize his earning potential and elevate his game.

WBA champion Richar Abril is skilled, but his style is less than appealing. The Money Team's Mickey Bey would be a partially attractive opponent, though Crawford would be a big favorite in a potential fight. However, Bey is signed to Showtime, which would complicate matters.

Perhaps the most intriguing opponent would be WBC champion Omar Figueroa. He's an all-action fighter with a fairly decent following. Crawford would probably take him apart with his speed and boxing skills, but the bout would generate some interest.

The same potential impediment for a bout with Bey is present here. Figueroa is signed to Golden Boy Promotions. While the cold war between Top Rank/HBO and GBP/Showtime seems to be lifting, we still can't assume these types of fights will be made.

At 5'8", the 27-year-old with a 70-inch reach has the physical tools to make the move. In fact, he already defeated Breidis Prescott at 140 pounds back in March 2013.

Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and a host of others started their careers near or at the 130-pound mark and ascended divisions. Mayweather made his 140-pound debut in 2004 when he was 27 years old against DeMarcus Corley. Money later made his welterweight debut the following year against Sharmba Mitchell.

It's too early to compare Crawford to Mayweather, but the two could be taking similar paths.

Looking for Justice

Let's face it: Beltran beat Burns last year. Despite dropping the tough former champion in his native Scotland—and breaking his jaw—Beltran was robbed of a win and the world title he deserved.

Crawford knows his opponent on Saturday wasn't given a fair shake against Burns, but don't expect him to feel too sorry for him. Per Nat Gottlieb of HBO.com, Crawford said: "Beltran feels I have something—a world title belt—which belongs to him. He thought he beat Ricky Burns and I thought Beltran won too. But he didn't and I did."

Without question, Beltran has a tougher assignment on Saturday than he had against Burns. After all, Crawford easily outboxed Burns to win the title. Also, stylistically, Crawford will presumably present more issues because of his speed, length and power.

Beltran seems to be prepared for the challenge, and he cites the robbery in Scotland as a source of his preparedness and confidence. Per Gottlieb, he said: "Crawford is talented, has skill, but I have the ability to adapt and will be ready for what he brings. The situation against Burns made me stronger. I felt the love of the crowd and all of their respect that night."

No matter what happens on Saturday in Omaha, Beltran isn't likely to feel the love from the pro-Crawford contingent at the CenturyLink Center. We'll see if he can gain their respect.

Prediction

Crawford is at an exciting point in his career. He's fighting at an elite level and he's doing it regularly. This will be his third fight in 2014. Should he win, he'd be a candidate for Fighter of the Year.

In my opinion, you may as well pencil him in as a solid contender for that honor. Crawford's speed, jab, ambidextrous approach and power will be too much for Beltran. Sugar has never faced a fighter with Crawford's physical tools.

To augment those physical gifts, Crawford is also smart in the ring. He's great at adjusting mid-fight.

In his last bout, he was hurt and troubled by Gamboa's speed and power early. He switched to southpaw in the middle rounds and took over the fight. Gamboa could no longer find the range, and Crawford ultimately stopped him in the ninth after flooring him four times.

Beltran may not go down four times on Saturday, but he will be stopped. Crawford is on his way up the pound-for-pound list, and he'll use a mid-round stoppage win over Beltran as a steppingstone. 

Follow Brian Mazique on Twitter. I dig boxing and MMA.