HBO has three fights airing Saturday night, all with something to offer. Take a look at the action here.
Saturday night, HBO presents a triple-header with a pair of interesting live fights preceded by a tape delayed international title unification fight. Take a look in this fight by fight preview.
HBO BOXING AFTER DARK CORRALES vs. MACHADO
(HBO, Sat. Oct. 21, 10:00 p.m. ET)
Jezreel Corrales (24-2-2; 14 KO) vs. Alberto Machado (20-0; 9 KO)
12 rounds, Super Featherweight (130 lbs.)
This world title fight pits WBA Super champion Corrales against undefeated challenger Machado. The 26 year old Corrales won the title in early 2016 and looks to make his third defense here. It’s been a weird title run, as the title win was a 2nd round KO upset, but he cemented his status as champion with a grueling decision win in a rematch, only to barely escape with his belt in a somewhat ugly affair his last time out. He’s ranked at #3 in what is a pretty stacked division, and it’s an interesting ranking – on one hand it feels deserved, but on the other, it feels like it could all fall apart for Corrales with the wrong match-up. Puerto Rico’s Machado is probably not that match-up. He’s fought almost exclusively in Puerto Rico, and he did take something of a step up in 2016, but not to this level. He’s big for the division, and has some power, but I’m skeptical that he has a ton to offer here.
Demetrius Andrade (24-0; 16 KO) vs. Alantez Fox (23-0-1; 11 KO)
12 rounds, Middleweight (160 lbs.)
This is one of those clear A-side fights, and the A-side is Demetrius Andrade. The 2008 Olympian has been seen as a fighter worthy of the highest levels for a long time, but he’s never quite managed to both make it over that hump and stay there. He had real top level success a few years back, but has had a bit of a start and stop career as of late, with only three fights since 2014. He’s moving to HBO, and up to Middleweight from 154 pounds for this fight, with the hope that this can settle him down and help him truly realize that potential. Fox is your classic showcase opponent, undefeated but with no really significant wins, coming in off defeating an opponent who was on a 7 fight losing streak.
Ryan Burnett (17-0; 9 KO) vs. Zhanat Zhakiyanov (27-1; 18 KO)
12 rounds, Bantamweight (118 lbs.)
This fight takes place earlier in the day in Belfast – HBO will be airing it on tape delay as part of the broadcast. And while it would be obviously preferable to have it on live, I’m glad it’s being aired at all. This is a great, compelling fight – the best of the night by far, though it doesn’t feature names that will be familiar to the average HBO Boxing fan. This is a Bantamweight title unification match, as Burnett brings in the IBF belt, and Zhakiyanov the WBA title. Ring Magazine has both as top 5 fighters in the division, with Zhakiyanov a bit ahead at #3, while oddsmakers see Burnett as the favorite at -350. Burnett certainly has the momentum as he comes in off a dominant June victory over Lee Haskins – he seems to be surging, and this could be a key moment for him.
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