Mark your calendar – June preview featuring Wilder, Billam-Smith v Riakporhe 2, Tank Davis and Estrada-Rodriguez

A MEMORABLE May noticed Canelo Alvarez and Vasiliy Lomachenko remind everybody they’re removed from completed, Naoya Inoue conduct one other symphony of destruction, Lauren Price dazzle in her first world title win, Lawrence Okolie get his mojo again, Jack Catterall acquire redemption and Oleksandr Usyk create heavyweight historical past.

June begins off with a veteran promoter seeking to educate his younger rival a lesson and finishes with an ageing champion seeking to injury the status of certainly one of boxing’s gifted new stars.

Boxing News takes a have a look at what’s in retailer for June and picks out one of the best on supply from the subsequent 30 days. And remember to download the Boxing News app and receive ringwalk reminders for when all the big fights are about to begin. 

Date: Saturday, June 1

Venue: Kingdom Arena, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Event: Queensberry vs. Matchroom 5 v 5

June begins with a 5-combat card the place bragging rights are at stake for Frank Warren and Eddie Hearn. The actual winners, nevertheless, are the followers, with every combat containing its personal intriguing storyline and profession ramifications. Deontay Wilder vs. Zhilei Zhang; Filip Hrgovic vs. Daniel Dubois; Hamzah Sheeraz vs. Austin Williams; Raymond Ford vs. Nick Ball; Craig Richards vs. Willy Hutchinson. A listing of fights that previously would have been written down only for enjoyable. Now, it’s a actuality.

Is it price watching? Absolutely. Every combat is price switching off your telephone for.

Date: Saturday, June 15

Venue: Selhurst Park, London

Event: Chris Billam-Smith vs. Richard Riakporhe 2

British boxing’s love affair with soccer stadiums continues on a busy evening for the game. First up is a rematch between the UK’s two finest cruiserweights who fought in a ten-spherical non-title combat 5 years in the past. That evening, Riakporhe acquired the nod. This time, Billam-Smith walks into enemy territory as WBO champion, seeking to remind everybody why he’s the primary man at 200 lbs within the UK.

Is it price watching? A British rivalry, a soccer stadium, a world title… and the cruiserweights not often fail to ship. What’s to not love? Look out for one more cruiser scrap on the undercard between Isaac Chamberlain and Jack Massey for the vacant European title.

Date: Saturday, June 15

Venue: Coliseo Juan Aubin Cruz Abreu, Puerto Rico

Event: Subriel Matias vs. Liam Paro

IBF tremendous-light-weight champion Subriel Matias will get a Puerto Rican homecoming within the second defence of his title in opposition to Australia’s Paro. The former is constructing a status as one of the crucial fearsome males within the sport. His challenger is unbeaten in 24 contests and picked up the most important win of his profession in December in opposition to Montana Love.

Is it price watching? If you’re keen on large punchers, then sure. All 20 of Matias’s opponents have retired, stopped or been knocked out. Paro is a worthy challenger, although, and able to profitable.

Date: Saturday, June 15

Venue: MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas

Event: Gervonta Davis vs. Frank Martin

One of the most important attracts within the sport, Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, will make his return 14 months after his win over Ryan Garcia. That marked a defining second within the profession of Baltimore’s Davis however outdoors points have stopped any momentum. He places his WBA 135lb title in opposition to the Detroit-born Martin, who was as soon as tipped for nice issues.

Is it price watching? Davis is field workplace, and his absence prompts questions that want answering. The co-fundamental occasion between David Benavidez and Oleksandr Gvozdyk can be price your time.

Date: Saturday, June 22

Venue: Resorts World Arena, Birmingham

Event: Tyler Denny vs. Felix Cash

Two of Britain’s finest middleweights headline a Matchroom card the place Ben Shalom might be hoping his man Denny can put one over on Eddie Hearn and his fighter Cash. Should Denny succeed it won’t solely be a profitable first defence of his European title however proceed a really feel-good story of a fighter who, in 2018 and 2019, misplaced to Reece Cartwright and Linus Udofia, respectively, when any concept of headlining an enormous UK present might have appeared unrealistic.

Is it price watching? Yes. The fundamental occasion options contrasting characters, and for Cash, this can be a should-win. Once tipped for giant issues, his profession has been hit by harm, inactivity, and private points. Look out for a possible thriller between Lewis Crocker and Conah Walker on the undercard.

Will Denny (far left) retain his European title? Will Rodriguez (far proper) take down Estrada?

Date: Saturday, June 29

Venue: Footprint Centre, Phoenix

Event: Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez

Rodriguez is carving out a profession for himself that in the future may go into the historical past books. The Texan has already crushed Carlos Cuadras, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai and Sunny Edwards. Now, he bids to reclaim the WBC tremendous flyweight title he vacated in opposition to the below-appreciated Estrada. He, Chocolatito Gonzalez, Cuadras and Rungvisai have all been boxing royalty on the smaller weight lessons however Rodriguez might eclipse each certainly one of them.

Is it price watching? It is a should-watch. Rodriguez seems to be like a generational expertise who may turn into an all-time nice. Underestimate Estrada at your peril, although. Look out for the return of Sunny Edwards on the undercard in opposition to Adrian Curiel.

Also in June…

Xander Zayas vs. Patrick Teixeira (June 8), Abass Barou vs. Macaulay McGowan (June 14), Lyndon Arthur vs. Liam Cameron (June 21), Quaise Khademi vs. Ryan Farrag (June 21), Rafael Espinoza vs. Sergio Chirino Sanchez (June 21), Pierce O’Leary vs. Darragh Foley (June 28), Lamont Roach vs Feargal McCrory (June 28), Teofimo Lopez vs. Steve Claggett (June 29).