IT MAY be an eight-two minute round fight but a huge worldwide audience will watch and see if Mike Tyson can turn back time against Jake Paul.
Their main event at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas has thrown boxing into the mainstream for the wrong reasons. The one saving grace, however, is an undercard which could stand alone without a circus attached to it.
Boxing News takes a look at what we can look forward to on Saturday night.
Katie Taylor vs. Amanda Serrano 2
Like any sequel it’s sometimes best to go and watch the original first. On April 30, 2022 inside the iconic Madison Square Garden Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano engaged in 10 rounds of boxing never to be forgotten. BN described it as, ‘The most significant fight in the history of women’s boxing’. It turned out to be something unforgettable and will be talked about for decades to come.
The rematch has been on the horizon ever since Taylor won by split-decision much to the annoyance of Serrano and her team. Since the first fight Taylor has thought three times and Serrano four.
Second time around it feels impossible not to predict another thriller and in the end it might, once again, come down to survival and heart.
Could we see another fight of the year between Taylor (L) and Serrano (R)? (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)
Mario Barrios vs. Abel Ramos
Having fallen short against Gervonta Davis and Keith Thurman between October 2021 and February 2022 Mario Barrios will walk to the ring on Saturday night as the WBC welterweight champion.
It’s an exciting time in the career of ‘El Azteca’ but he must prove he is a worthy title holder against Abel Ramos, a first defence which could be fun while it lasts.
Barrios will want unification bouts in 2025 but first needs to win emphatically in front of a Netflix audience.
Barrios (R) was elevated to WBC champion after Terence Crawford vacated the title. (Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images for Netflix © 2024)
Shadasia Green vs. Melinda Watpool
Another fighter looking to prove their worth on the world scene is Shadasia Green. Boxing powerhouse Claressa Shields once saw Green as part of a ‘Four Queens’ group alongside herself, Savannah Marshall and Franchon Crews-Dezurn at super-middleweight. It was the latter who would deny Green her first world title 11 months ago.
Green is back this time to claim the vacant WBO 168lbs strap and it’s a golden opportunity for the 35-year-old. In her way is former Canadian amateur champion and unbeaten Melinda Watpool. The ‘Rocky’ fan added a strength and conditioning coach for her preparations but a Hollywood ending may be unlikely in her first world title tilt.
Watpool (L) and Green (R) will contest the vacant WBO Female super-middleweight title. (Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)
Bruce Carrington vs. Dana Coolwell
Such an event feels like a perfect stage for Bruce ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington to demonstrate why he is so highly thought of.
The unbeaten lightweight is a potential threat to the hierarchy at 135lbs and will no doubt look to steal a part of the show on Saturday night. Coolwell can place himself amongst the best of Australian boxing should he cause the upset but his American debut is against a special talent that not only talks a good game but backs it up an eye-catching fashion.
Coolwell may be in too deep against ‘Shu Shu’ Carrington (R).(Photo by Ed Mulholland/Getty Images)