Three Punch Combo: A Wish List of Easily Makeable Fights for 2020

Three Punch Combo: A Wish List of Easily Makeable Fights for 2020

As the calendar turns to 2020 there has been a lot of focus among those who cover the sport on the big fights that are already sealed or could soon appear on the horizon. While we all look forward to those big events, there are plenty of other terrific under-the-radar-type fights that can be easily made in 2020.

Three of my top choices are listed below. (In putting this together, I wanted to make sure that each of these fights was as makeable as possible which means that both contestants in each match are aligned with the same promotional group or are network free agents. And to be fair, I wanted to list just one potential fight from each political entity.)

Jamal James (26-1, 12 KO’s) vs. Yordenis Ugas (24-4, 11 KO’s) II

In August of 2016, welterweight Jamal James was considered one of boxing’s top up and coming young fighters. He was matched in a nationally televised contest against Yordenis Ugas who was coming off back to back defeats and had not been in the ring in two-plus years. To the surprise of many, Ugas (pictured) shook off the ring rust and out-boxed James to win a clear-cut ten round unanimous decision.

James, who is now 31, has rattled off six straight wins since that loss. It is not only that James has been winning but he has been doing so in impressive fashion. As a matter of fact, probably too impressive as the bigger name welterweights do not seem all that eager to get in the ring with him.

As for Ugas, he rattled off seven straight wins following the James victory, earning a crack at Shawn Porter’s welterweight title last year. In a tightly contested fight, Porter held on to his belt by split decision. Many felt Ugas deserved the nod.

Ugas has since defeated welterweight contender Omar Figueroa Jr. and has a date scheduled with Mike Dallas Jr. on February 1. But like James, Ugas would desire a crack at the division’s elite.

Assuming Ugas defeats Dallas (and Ugas will be a substantial favorite), running it back with James next makes a lot of sense for both men.

Both Ugas and James are aligned with PBC. Welterweight is a loaded division with many big names and the majority of those names outside of Terence Crawford are also aligned with PBC.  To get one of those big names in the ring, Ugas and James need to create more demand and the best way to do so would be to face off against each other once again in a nationally televised bout. PBC of course has an outlet deal with Fox.

The first fight was a solid professional fight. Ugas dominated but James had his moments and, as stated, James is a much better fighter today than he was three-plus years ago. The same can also be said of Ugas. With both at the top of their game and each arguably in the top ten in the division, a rematch would be very compelling as it should be more competitive than the first go-around. The stakes couldn’t be higher either with the winner all but assured of getting one of those bigger name welterweights in the ring soon after.

Alex Saucedo (29-1, 19 KO’s) vs. Raymundo Beltran (36-9-1, 22 KO’s)

As a fan, I have been salivating about this potential matchup for some time. And with both coming off recent losses in big fights, 2020 may be the year for their promoter Top Rank to put together this hardcore fan’s dream fight.

Saucedo was once considered a blue-chip prospect. However, his budding career took a major hit when he was stopped in November of 2018 by Maurice Hooker in a 140-pound world title fight. Saucedo, still only 25, is coming off a bounce-back first round knockout win against journeyman Rod Salka this past November. The time seems right for Saucedo to take a step up in competition in order to get back into title contention at 140.

Beltran, 38, is a longtime fan favorite and former lightweight champion. He is coming off a knockout loss last June to then lightweight belt holder Richard Commey. In that fight, Beltran missed weight and could not have won the belt even if he were victorious. So, if Beltran continues on in his career, a move to 140 seems logical.

There is some question as to whether or not Beltran will continue fighting, but my guess is given the right opportunity, he would jump at a chance to get back in the ring. And Saucedo may represent that opportunity.

This fight would be 100 percent guaranteed to produce fireworks. Both Saucedo and Beltran are pressure fighters by nature who like to press forward looking to unload their power shots. Defense is not a strong suit of either man and each is more than willing to eat a few shots for the opportunity to get in his own. This could resemble something like Gatti-Ward if it ever happens and I am hoping that it does in 2020.

Israil Madrimov (4-0, 4 KO’s) vs. Jack Culcay (27-4, 13 KO’s)

In my eyes, Madrimov, 24, is a unique talent in a similar mode to Vasiliy Lomachenko. While Madrimov has had only a few pro fights, his amateur experience makes him more advanced than his record indicates and puts him on the fast track in the 154-pound division.

Madrimov needs to face one battle-tested veteran who is highly ranked before he can enter world title contention. And this brings me to Jack Culcay.

Culcay, 34, once held an interim title at 154. In 2017, Culcay gave current middleweight belt holder Demetrius Andrade all he could handle in dropping a twelve round split decision. Last year, Culcay gave Sergiy Derevyanchenko a stern test in dropping a twelve round unanimous decision.

Culcay has proven he can fight at the highest of levels in this sport. He is also durable, having never been stopped in his professional career. It would be very interesting to see how Madrimov, who has openly campaigned for bigger names and a world title shot sooner rather than later, handles such a solid pro.

Putting this fight together should not be very difficult. Madrimov has fought his last three bouts on DAZN and Culcay is more or less available to fight on any platform.

Madrimov-Culcay would be an excellent crossroads fight that could vault Madrimov closer to reaching his superstar potential. DAZN certainly has the resources to make it happen and is a fight I hope we see sometime in 2020.

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