Pick It: TBRB #3 Demetrius Andrade vs. #8 Liam Williams (Saturday, DAZN, 3:00 PM EST)

33-year old WBO middleweight titlist Demetrius Andrade (29-0, 18 KO) is still waiting for a real breakthrough opponent nearly thirteen years into his career. Inactivity, promotional issues, and inconsistent entertainment value have worked against him but Saturday is a chance to make a statement before time gets past him.

Fighting under the same streaming umbrella as Gennady Golovkin, a big night for Andrade could escalate those asking why what should logically be the most makeable unification bout at middleweight isn’t seemingly high on anyone’s list. The 28-year old Williams (23-2-1, 18 KO) has won seven straight and has a big opportunity of his own. Can he bust through and emerge as a force in a weight class stuck in a bit of stalemate?          

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday - Turchi vs. Bregeon (DAZN, 1:30 PM EST)   

Italian cruiserweight action has become an afternoon staple on DAZN for the curious. 27-year old Fabio Turchi (18-1, 13 KO) looks to make it two straight after suffering a narrow first defeat. 27-year old Dylan Bregeon (11-0-1, 3 KO) will battle to stay out of the loss column. 

Friday - Vazquez vs. Hernandez (ESPN+, 9:00 PM EST)

34-year old former lightweight titlist Miguel Vazquez (42-10, 16 KO) continues to toil. In this Jr. welterweight affair, Vazquez will attempt to follow up on ‘losing’ what might have been the worst decision of 2020 against Lewis Ritson. 26-year old Isai Hernandez (10-1-1, 7 KO) is smaller and less experienced but this is about as good a spotlight opportunity as he could ask for.

Saturday - Dignum vs. Sirotkin  (ESPN+, 2:00 PM EST)

Interesting matinee action in the middleweight division headlines this one. 29-year old Danny Dignum (13-0, 7 KO) is matched tough here. 36-year old Andrew Sirotkin (19-1, 7 KO) has won four straight since a lone stoppage loss to tough contender John Ryder. 

Saturday - #8 Harrison vs. Perrella (Fox, 8:00 PM EST)

Last time 30-year old Jr. middleweight Tony Harrison (28-3, 21 KO) was in the ring, he lost his title belt to Jermell Charlo in an exceptional rematch. It’s been over a year and Harrison resumes his career at a moment where his weight class remains one of the sport’s most intriguing. Would he like to see a rubber match with Charlo? If he does, Harrison has to win here. Bryant Perrella (17-3, 14 KO) is coming off a stoppage loss and should make Harrison look good but Harrison’s chin can be vulnerable so there is at least an air of danger. This division delivers often so it’s worth a look.  

Saturday - #3 Prograis vs. Redkach (PPV, 8:00 PM EST)

If one is in it for the boxing side of things, the latest Paul brothers pay-per-view celebrity boxing outing will feature one of the best Jr. welterweights in the world. 32-year old Regis Prograis (25-1, 21 KO) came up just short in the WBSS final against Josh Taylor and looms as the biggest threat to the all-belts-on-the-line between Taylor and Jose Ramirez. 35-year old Ivan Redkach (23-5-1, 18 KO) is in deep here. This show will also feature blue-chip prospect Lorenzo Simpson and an oddity in former cruiserweight titlist Steve Cunningham against MMA veteran Frank Mir.

Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the International Boxing Research Organization, and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.  He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com