A light boxing schedule for this weekend. Mbilli vs Derevyanchenko and Makhmudov vs Vianello are the main events.
Saturday, August 17
Centre Videotron, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada (ESPN+)
- Christian Mbilli vs Sergiy Derevyanchenko, super middleweights, 10 rounds
- Arslanbek Makhmudov vs Guido Vianello, heavyweights, 10 rounds
- Oselys Iglesias vs TBA, super middleweights, 10 rounds
- Abdullah Mason vs TBA, lightweights, 8 rounds
- Jahi Tucker vs TBA, middleweights, 8 rounds
Yes it's the only North American televised card. It's a classic crossroads semifinal bout with Makhmudov vs Vianello with Guido needing a win or he probably will be released by Top Rank from his contract. The big Russian needs a win to stay in the Saudi sweepstakes for bigger bouts against elite opponents.
I expect Mak to win but after a loss like we saw on the Saudi card if seeds of doubt are planted in his mind he could fall apart like the proverbial Saturday morning cartoon robot again.
Also "The Mechanic" needs a win to get any relevant bouts in the future, the African is beatable with his poor defense but Sergiy is fighting a division above his best weight and is nearing 40.
PS it's a day late and a dollar short but Uzbekistan dominated the combat sports in the Olympics since the fights weren't on the live broadcasts I saw last week I have been watching canned sessions on the broadcaster websites and it's been factory of Stan fighters and wrestlers fighting for golds.
I remember boxing insiders always stated that Soviet squads were the hardest to make in the world as they left home possible medalists in many divisions due to the insane depth of the squads. After seeing these fights and matches it reinforces that sentiment.
Updating Saturday's action and Mak was stopped by Guido Vianello in the 8th round. The big Russian was never in this one but went 8 rounds due to heart and natural strength but he couldn't land anything but the occasional power cross. Vianello gets his first quality win and I would say he could be in the Saudi sweepstakes off this win. Maybe a comeback bout for Jared Anderson could be in his future and that fight will be winnable if he can land the combos he landed on the Russian giant.