Saturday is a big day for boxing fans with three world title fights on Showtime. Here is a look at all the action.
This Saturday, May 19, Showtime presents another one of their full days of boxing, with three world title fights across multiple locations. Things begin with a free YouTube and Facebook stream of Selby vs. Warrington at 5:00 p.m. ET, then move over to Showtime at 10:05 p.m. ET for the 2 fight Stevenson vs. Jack card. Bloody Elbow will have live coverage. Here are the fights:
ADONIS STEVENSON (29-1; 24 KOs) vs. BADOU JACK (22-1-2; 13 KOs)
Adonis Stevenson won the WBC Light Heavyweight title, and in turn the Lineal title, back in 2013, knocking out Chad Dawson in spectacular, exciting fashion. The 5 years since have been significantly less impressive, with 8 title defenses against carefully selected opponents. There was a time that people craved a Stevenson vs. Kovalev superfight, but that time has passed. Now they just want him to face a legitimate opponent. And here, for the first time in a long time, they get their wish. Jack is a former Super Middleweight champion who moved up last year and is 1-0 at Light Heavyweight. He certainly has his flaws, but he’s a skilled fighter who will actually test Stevenson. There’s a definite possibility Stevenson’s reign comes to an end here. This is a definite fight to watch.
GARY RUSSELL JR. (28-1; 17 KOs) vs. JOSEPH DIAZ (26-0; 14 KOs)
This is for Russell’s WBC Featherweight title. Russell’s lone career loss came against Vasyl Lomachenko in 2014, and he’s a perfect 4-0 since, including winning the WBC crown. Russell is a highly skilled technical fighter who does things right, but there has felt like a little bit of excitement missing from him lately, maybe more from a matchmaking standpoint than anything else. He’s been fighting pretty consistently just once a year as of late, and this continues that pattern. JoJo Diaz is his mandatory and should be a solid opponent. The undefeated Diaz piled up the wins primarily against action fighters, but has skills as well. This is his biggest test, but it’s a fair time for him to take it.
LEE SELBY (26-1; 9 KOs) vs. JOSH WARRINGTON (26-0; 6 KOs)
Another Featherweight title fight here, this time featuring IBF champ Selby. Selby lost his 5th pro fight, but is undefeated since. He won this title in a 2015 fight with Evgeny Gradovich, and is yet to defend it against one of the division’s true top fighters. Interesting note: Selby has only fought once outside the UK – this fight is in Leeds, England. Warrington is a decent enough challenger. He sits in the bottom end of the Ring top 10. He holds some decent wins over Patrick Hyland and Kiko Martinez. Warrington definitely isn’t a big name, and won’t bring the needed level to the IBF belt should he win here, but he’s a good match for Selby.
Join us for the Selby vs. Warrington live stream at 5:00 p.m., then the two fight card on Showtime starting at 10:05 p.m.