Cruiserweight and Heavyweight thread.

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Dawejko and Shaw might be possibilities. Shaw was supposed to fight Franklin last summer - only for the latter to pull out due to a COVID diagnosis. At the time, that fight was supposed to be rescheduled for a later date - only for Franklin to turn his attention to calling out Dillian Whyte in vain. Shaw went on to stop Dawejko in the meantime.

I don't think Ajagba is a likely opponent. Although I might give the edge to Anderson there's no doubting the power that Efe has in that right hand of his...so he is not the safest choice.

 

40 year-old Devin Vargas (22-7-0) is scheduled to fight in Albany, NY on July 22nd. Vargas last fought in November, 2020 when he was stopped (quite brutally) by Zhang Zhilei after several rounds.

His opponent is Kimbo Bethel Boykin (11-2-1). Boykin last fought in the fall of 2018 when he controversially lost a split decision to Joel Caudle. Boykin resides in Albany, NY - so apparently he is the A-side here despite his inactivity and being nearly-unknown among boxing fans. Boykin turned Pro in 2009, so he is likely no spring chicken, himself.

It's kind of a curious fight for Vargas. Over the past few years, he's been a sort of gatekeeper to test up-and-coming prospects (e.g. Zhilei, Junior Fa, Niall Kennedy) or has served as a "rebound opponent" (e.g. Andy Ruiz after his loss to Joseph Parker) - but neither would seem to apply here.

US HW prospect Fernily Feliz Jr (3-0, 3 KOs) will also be on this card fighting a yet-to-be named opponent. It seems that Feliz Jr is no longer working with Jason Estrada and his father - which is a bit disappointing, IMO, as I think that pair would likely be quite useful in helping an up-and-coming HW prospect.

 

Good point about Iago - he's been a fixture on "Fox PBC" cards for several years along with Arreola and Breazeale.

That being the case I'm leaning towards Jerry Forrest - with Johnnie Rice, Joey Dawejko or Stephan Shaw being longshot possibilities.

 

Dawejko's bout is on a card at the Parx Casino. I'm pretty sure that means it's being put together by Joe Hand (he of 1st round KO loss to Joe Joyce fame) Promotions. So I suspect it's not particularly big money for Dawejko and I imagine it wouldn't be too hard for Top Rank to come to some sort of arrangement with JHP to free-up Joey to fight Anderson.

I think Stephan Shaw would be the opponent I would most like to see. Shaw has struggled to get good fights and he sort of reminds me of a young Pulev.

 

Rice or Forrest would be a nice build up fight for Anderson

 

Any idea who Wardley is fighting? He's scheduled to fight on the chisora undercard the week after next

 

Jarell Miller will be back on July 23.

The opponent has not yet been named.

 

I love journeyman heavies. Who remembers Marion Wilson? Never stopped nor dropped If I recall.

 

Definitely will be another cab driver, but at least he's staying active unlike most of the division.

 

I believe his opponent will be pretty tough to drop, his weight.

 

Inactive heavyweights (not fought in 2022):

Gassiev
Wilder
Parker
Hrgovic
Helenius
Takam
Ajagba
Sirenko
Chaney
Rice
H. Fury
Kabayel (one soft opponent)

Kownacki hasn't fought this year, but is at least scheduled now.

 

Olympic Silver Medalist HW Richard Torrez Jr (1-0) will have his 2nd professional fight against Roberto Zavala Jr. on the July 15 Top Rank card featuring Barboza vs. Zarrilla The 5' 11" Zavla Jr is 2-1-1 with his loss (UD) and draw coming in his last two fights.

 

Anybody else sensing a Dychko vs. Miller fight will be made in the not-too-distant future? It would seem to serve both of them well enough.

 

I think Miller would be best served just going on a year long journeyman of the month tour while he sheds pounds and rust.