Boxing on TV this weekend: Liam Davies, Anthony Yarde, Hasim Rahman Jr, Jaime Munguia all in action
- Seb Sternik
- 19 November 2022
Planet Sport takes a closer look at a busy weekend of boxing which includes a big title fight for Liam Davies, the return of Anthony Yarde and the highly-rated Jaime Munguia.
Two super bantamweight titles will be on the line when Davies takes on Ionut Baluta in Telford.
Yarde will also feature on the show as he takes on Stefani Koykov in his first fight in over 11 months. Here, we take a closer look at this weekend's big bouts.
Liam Davies vs Ionut Baluta
Davies will main event Frank Warren's latest Queensberry Promotions show when he marks a step up in his promising career against Ionut Baluta.
The vacant European Super Bantamweight championship will be on the line, as well as Baluta's WBC International Super Bantamweight belt.
The fight will take place at Telford's International Centre - the same venue which saw Davies pick up a unanimous decision win over Marc Leach in his last outing.
Looking ahead to this latest challenge, Davies told the Shropshire Star: "I'm now having my hardest fights back-to-back.
"There's plenty of people that don't think I can do it, and they thought the same for the last one, but that only motivates me and makes me want to do it even more to prove people wrong."
Davies is still unbeaten in his 12 professional outings, winning five of them by knockout.
Baluta, who is representing Romania, is an experienced campaigner with 18 fights on his record - including 15 wins.
The 28-year-old suffered a majority decision defeat to Michael Conlan back in April 2021, but has since bounced back with a unanimous decision victory over Brad Foster last May.
Where to watch: BT Sport
Eithan James vs Keanen Wainwright
Eithan James was initially scheduled to take on Connor Parker for the WBO European super lightweight title.
However, with the 27-year-old forced to pull out due to illness, Keanen Wainwright was brought in as a replacement.
The man known as 'Wolf' boasts a record of eight victories, five by knockout and just one defeat.
Wainwright has been in action twice this year, knocking out Sean Davis and stopping Matar Sambou.
James, on the other hand, is a promising talent from Northampton who has won all of his nine professional bouts.
While he won't get a chance to challenge for the WBO European crown, James remains focused on the job at hand.
He told the Northampton Chronicle: "It has happened before with late pull-outs, so it is nothing new and we are used to it.
"He (Wainwright) is a southpaw, he's small, the same style as Connor Parker, so it will be the same result, a win for me."
Where to watch: BT Sport
Anthony Yarde vs Stefani Koykov
Britain's Anthony Yarde is expected to finally square off with unified light-heavyweight champion Artur Beterbiev in 2023, but only if he comes away unscathed against Stefani Koykov.
The 31-year-old was set to fight Beterbiev earlier this year before the WBO, WBC and IBF champion was hit with an injury.
Yarde was last in action against Lyndon Arthur last December and needed to get back in the ring before his potential world title clash with Beterbiev.
However, the Brit will have to remain wary of Koykov who has won 14 of his 15 fights - 12 of those by knockout.
Yarde has got an impressive record of his own, boasting 22 wins from 24 fights, 21 of them coming by way of knockout.
Where to watch: BT Sport
Greg Hardy vs Hasim Rahman Jr
Over in the United States, Hasim Rahman Jr will take on former UFC fighter and NFL Pro Bowl defensive end Greg Hardy.
Rahman Jr, who is the son of former WBC heavyweight champion Hasim 'The Rock' Rahman, was originally scheduled to fight MMA legend Vitor Belfort. However, the 45-year-old Brazilian pulled out with Covid earlier in the week.
Hardy is 94 pounds heavier than his opponent and has one professional fight under his belt.
Rahman, on the other hand, has the experience edge with a professional record of 12-1. The 31-year-old last fought in April when he was knocked out by James McKenzie Morrison.
The American was scheduled to take on YouTuber Jake Paul in the summer, thought the fight was ultimately called off.
His latest bout is part of DAZN's Misfits Boxing series, with the show set to get underway at around 1am UK time.
Where to watch: DAZN
Jaime Munguia vs Gonzalo Gaston Coria
Arguably the biggest fight of the weekend for the boxing purists will see Mexico's Jaime Munguia take on Argentine Gonzalo Gaston Coria.
Munguia has been box-office this year, producing two knockout wins this year over D'Mitrius Ballard and Jimmy Kelly.
The 26-year-old has won all of his 40 professional fights, with 32 of them coming before the final bell.
Fans of Mungiua have been itching to see the Mexican in a high-profile contest, and a victory over Coria this weekend would certainly put him in contention for a world title opportunity.
Speaking of the Argentine, the 25-year-old has won 21 of his 26 bouts, winning eight by way of knockout.
He has won three straight bouts, picking up a split decision over Emiliano Exequiel Pucheta in his last outing.
Where to watch: DAZN
Photo Credit: Queensberry Promotions
