Pick It: TBRB #4 Devin Haney vs. #9 Joseph Diaz (Saturday, DAZN, 8:00 PM EST)

23-year old lightweight beltholder Devin Haney (26-0, 15 KO) is an eye-catching talent. His last fight with Jorge Linares provided evidence he’s still a developing talent as well. Linares hurt him and made him work for it late.

To Haney’s credit, he made it through his first gut check. Can another experienced veteran give him the sort of test that brings Haney further along or derail Haney altogether? 29-year old former Jr. lightweight titlist Joseph Diaz (32-1-1, 15 KO) is no stepping stone and Diaz looked comfortable at lightweight in his last outing. Can he get inside often enough to win? This is a fight that will tell us much about both men. Women’s welterweight champion Jessica McCaskill, promising heavyweight Filip Hrgovic, and exciting Jr. welterweight Montana Love will also be in action.        

Additional Shows to Watch For

Friday - Lejarraga vs. Flatley (DAZN, 1:30 PM EST)

It’s Jr. middleweight action live from Spain. 29-year old Kerman Lejarraga (33-2, 25 KO) has won five in a row since a first round loss to David Avanesyan. 27-year old Jack Flatley (17-1, 4 KO) has won two in a row since suffering his first loss, via decision, to Harry Scarff.

Friday - #10 (130) Lopez vs. Lowe (ESPN+, 3:00 PM EST)

Featherweight fans will want to give this one a look. 28-year old Luis Alberto Lopez (23-2, 12 KO) and 27-year old Issac Lowe (21-0-3, 6 KO) square off in an IBF eliminator. That means a possible shot at newly minted titlist Kiko Martinez. Former flyweight titlist Charlie Edwards will also be in action. 

Saturday - #10 Arthur vs. Yarde (FITE, 2:00 PM EST)

A UK rivalry at light heavyweight enters chapter two. 30-year old Lyndon Arthur (19-0, 13 KO) won a split over 30-year old former title challenger Anthony Yarde (21-2, 20 KO) one year ago. Can Arthur do it again? A minor WBO belt is on the line and Arthur is the organization’s current leading contender. It gives the fight stakes heading into WBO titlist Joe Smith’s defense next month against Callum Johnson. 

Saturday - Collard vs. Sosa (FITE, 9:00 PM EST)

28-year old middleweight Clay Collard (9-4-3, 4 KO) developed a fun following in 2020 with a highly active winning streak during the low COVID months. Collard has lost two in a row heading into this fight with Mexico’s 24-year old Damian Sosa (18-1, 10 KO). Sosa’s only loss came by decision in 2019.

Sunday - #6 Cruz vs. #8 Davis (Showtime PPV, 8:00 PM EST)

DAZN looks to have a slightly more competitive main event this weekend but Showtime’s pay-per-view arm is putting on a very nice card top to bottom. 27-year old former two-time Jr. lightweight titlist Gervonta Davis (25-0, 24 KO) faces off against a solid lightweight contender in 23-year old Isaac Cruz (22-1-1, 15 KO). This fight can’t help but be explosive based on the styles at play. Also on the card, we have middleweight contender Sergiy Derevyanchenko (13-3, 10 KO) versus Carlos Adames (20-1, 16 KO) and towering Jr. middleweight Sebastian Fundora (17-0-1, 12 KO) versus Sergio Garcia (33-0, 14 KO). Both should be interesting, competitive affairs as should a featherweight clash between Eduardo Ramirez and Miguel Marriaga.

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