Let’s take a look at some of the smaller news stories of the week.
- ShoBox – Blue chip prospect Jaron “Boots” Ennis (21-0, 19 KOs) headlines the return of the series on Friday, November 16th. I am extremely high on the 21 year old Philly fighter. Don’t miss him. His opponent will be fellow Philadelphia native Raymond Serrano (24-5-1, 10 KOs). That’s kind of disappointing given the usual standards of the series, unfortunately. Serrano has lost clean every time he has stepped up. The show will be a tripleheader and also feature a series alumni match between Samuel Teah (14-2-1, 7 KO) and Kenneth Sims Jr (13-1-1, 4 KO) as well as the return of Arnold Khegai (13-0-1, 9 KO) against Jorge Diaz (19-5-1, 10 KO).
- Chris Algieri – Former junior welterweight Chris Algieri is returning (21-3, 8 KOs) is returning to the sport on November 30th. It has been over two and a half years since he was publicly executed by a rising Errol Spence Jr live on NBC. That was the last time Algieri fought. The Long Island native doesn’t have an opponent yet for the date, but we do know that he will be returning to his home base for the fight and then it will be back down at junior welterweight. Of course, the opponent is all but guaranteed to be extremely soft too as the former Manny Pacquiao opponent looks to work off some rust.
- Alternates – Paul Butler (26-2, 14 KO) and Viktor Postol (29-2, 12 KO) have been named the alternates for the World Boxing Super Series season two tournaments at bantamweight and junior welterweight. Both are former titleholders and decent choices. Postol would have been a great entrant from the beginning, actually, as he was considered the top man in the division not too long ago. Butler and Postol will both be in action against light competition on the November 3rd WBSS card against Yoan Boyeaux (41-5, 26 KO) and Siar Ozgul (14-1, 3 KO) respectively.
- Fury Rising – There is now a third Fury in the professional fight game. 19 year old Tommy Fury, younger brother of controversial lineal heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, will be making his pro debut on the December 22nd Warrington-Frampton show under Frank Warren’s banners. Unlike his (in)famous brother and first cousin Hughie Fury, Tommy will not be a heavyweight. He will be campaigning at light heavyweight after just twelve amateur fights. It is impossible to know what for sure to expect out of the young prospect at this stage, but its safe to say he will have a lot of eyes on him from the opening bell of his career. Ricky Hatton will serve as his trainer.
- Christopher Diaz – Puerto Rican junior lightweight contender Christopher Diaz (23-1, 15 KO) will return on November 24th back home on his Caribbean island for the first time since losing his world title shot unexpectedly to talented Japanese now titleholder Masayuki Ito. While still signed to Top Rank, the major American promoter has given Diaz permission to fight on a smaller card for his comeback fight. He will be in soft as would be expected against Hungarian regional level fighter David Berna (17-5, 16 KOs).
