Last year delivered big time for combat sports and this year seems to up the ante with a great start to 2018 in both boxing and MMA.
Boxing, contrary to the feeling of many, proved that its not dying but thriving, and that it’s no longer just your grandfather’s sport on ABC’s Wide World of Sports.
In the first two months of the new year, fans will be treated to be some of the sport’s best as current and former champions will be facing off in what promises to be exciting, hard hitting action.
ERROL SPENCE VS LAMONT PETERSON – FULL KICK OFF PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO
ERROL SPENCE VS LAMONT PETERSON – FULL KICK OFF PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO in this Errol spence vs Lamont Peterson video, the full Spence vs Peterson press conference video for the spence vs Peterson fight Twitter/Instagram: @fighthubtv @heyitsmarcosv For more Boxing and MMA videos log onto http://www.fighthubtv.com Like us: http://on.fb.me/xWRC1f follow us: http://bit.ly/wACkIv Boxing videos!
January sets things off with undefeated IBF and WBC Female Super Middleweight Champion, Claressa Shields, as she defends her titles against Tori Nelson (17-0-3) on January 12th. The 2x Olympic Gold Medalist has become a star in her short pro career and she isn’t afraid to lead the charge for women’s boxing.
The following Saturday, the new IBF welterweight champion, Errol Spence, Jr., defends his crown against former veteran champion, Lamont Peterson, at the Kings County Mecca for boxing, the Barclays Center. The fight is a true test for the young Spence, who has been called the future of the division by many, including Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and if things continue to progress for the former Olympian, fans expect to see him enter the ring late this year against current welterweight champion and boxing juggernaut, Keith “One Time” Thurman.
Peterson is a veteran, two-weight class world champion that has beaten stars like Amir Khan and lost a controversial decision to Danny Garcia back in 2015. Peterson had the WBA (Regular) welterweight belt and vacated it to put himself in a position to take Spence’s title. With Thurman currently holding both the WBC World Welterweight and WBA Super World Welterweight titles, these fighters look to rise up the ranks of the division and potentially dethrone Thurman, who is currently recovering from elbow surgery.
A week later, Lucas Matthysse takes on Tewa Kiram on January 27th at the Los Angeles Forum for the vacant WBA (Regular) welterweight title, the money division is continuing to swell with opportunity in 2018.
Adrien Broner vs. Mikey Garcia: Full Fight | SHOWTIME CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
On July 29, 2017, three-division world champion Mikey Garcia kept his undefeated record intact with a dominant 12-round performance against Adrien Broner. Garcia returns to the ring against unbeaten IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion Sergey Lipinets on Saturday Feb. 10 on SHOWTIME.
February brings fans Mikey Garcia, who had one of the best years this side of Terence Crawford’s undisputed champion status with his huge wins last year. After returning to the sport in 2016 after a split with former promoter Top Rank to knockout Elio Rojas, Garcia dominated 2017 first by destroying feared knockout artist Dejan Zlaticanin in three rounds. The KO was a candidate for knockout of the year and when Garcia challenged himself by facing Adrien Broner at light welterweight, a step up in weight for Garcia, his dominance over the former champion was not only impressive but statement worthy.
On February 10th, Garcia will challenge Sergey Lipinets for his IBF light welterweight title, a division full of vacant’s where he is the only champion, before deciding to defend his WBC lightweight title after or advance further into the welterweight division, which many are hoping for.
Last but far from least, Danny Garcia returns to the ring after losing his undefeated status against Keith Thurman last March. His first test is no easy task as he faces former champion, Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios. More famous for his losses to Manny Pacquiao, Timothy Bradley, and Mike Alvarado than his wins, Rios is looking to make a statement against Garcia who was derailed and seeking vengeance. For Garcia, it will further test his resolve after a loss and prove if he is the guy that he and the world have thought he is his whole career.
What a great way to start the new year.
