This weekend will be the biggest in boxing and we explore your many options during this supposed final Mayweather fight weekend.
Friday, September 11th 2015
PREMIER BOXING CHAMPIONS: SPENCE VS. VAN HEERDEN
Errol Spence, the 25-year-old southpaw has scored four consecutive knockouts entering his September 11 showdown against South African veteran Chris van Heerden (23-1-1, 12 KOs) at Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto.Most recently, Spence made quick work of two previously once-beaten opponents, stopping Samuel Vargas in the fourth round in April, then dispatching Phil Lo Greco in the third in June. Van Heerden, who once served as a chief sparring partner for Miguel Cotto, is on a roll himself, having won nine straight fights, most recently defeating Ramon Ayala in May by fourth-round knockout.Van Heerden, who like Spence is a left-hander, has never been knocked out, with his lone defeat coming by split decision to Nikola Stevanovic in May 2010. Of course, neither Vargas nor Lo Greco had been KOd prior to facing Spence, who has been taken the distance just once in his last eight bouts.
Watch tonight live on Spike TV 9pm ET / 9pm PT
THE MetroPCS FRIDAY NIGHT KNOCKOUT on truTV
Back in Las Vegas, Top Rank is adding to the fanfare with two great matchups also live on free TV. Top 10 contenders, Oscar Valdez and Jesse Hard Work Hart take on Chris The Hitman Avalos and Aaron Pryor, respectively, headline the Fall season debut of The MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout on truTV kicking off the Mexican Independence Day weekend at The Chelsea inside The Cosmopolitan Casino & Hotel.The telecast will open with Hart defending his North American Boxing Organization (NABO) and United States Boxing Association (USBA) Super Middleweight Championship titles against contender Pryor, followed by the Featherweight battle between Valdez and Avalos. Both bouts are scheduled for 10 rounds.
Catch the action tonight on truTV 10pm/ET / 10pm PTSaturday, September 12th 2015
Saturday, September 12th, 2015
HIGH STAKES: FLOYD MAYWEATHER VS. ANDRE BERTO
Floyd Mayweather and Andre Berto face off for HIGH STAKES: Mayweather vs. Berto on Saturday live on SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. E/5 p.m. PT) from the MGM Grand Garden Arena.In what is expected to be the final fight of his illustrious 19-year career, boxing superstar and pound-for-pound king Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) will put his undefeated record and WBC and WBA Welterweight World Championships on the line when he faces power-punching, two-time welterweight world champion Berto (30-3, 23 KOs).
Although it feels as if this fight lives in the shadow of the Mayweather vs. Pacquaio popular culture disappointment, it is still major that after avoiding losses for 19 years that Andre Berto is given the chance to dethrone boxing royalty.
Weve been here so many times, said Mayweather last Wednesday at the final press conference. I know talking doesnt win fights. I know trainers dont win fights. It comes down to the two competitors. Im always prepared, physically and mentally. We have a remarkable game plan. I want to thank everyone that has covered this event and my career over 19 years. Whether it was a good story or a bad story, you guys wrote about me and kept me relevant. Thats how I was able to do record breaking numbers.
Berto, who has faced the daunting task of working through the doubters saying he shouldnt receive this opportunity, also had a message for the media.
Its funny, when it comes to the media and critics, said Berto, theyre not in that gym working and knowing the feeling of being a fighter. They dont know the miles we run and the sacrifices that we have to make to become a world champion or come up to this level of fight. Floyd is sharp of course, but I have certain tools that I believe will make it a real difficult Saturday night. Were going for the knockout. You definitely dont want to miss it.
Watch the end of an era live on SHOWTIME PPV (8 p.m. E/5 p.m. PT)
