Avila Perspective, Chap. 102: Networks Rumble

A battle of the networks erupts on Saturday with multiple boxing cards shoving each other for attention.

It starts early.

Ireland’s Katie Taylor (15-0) faces Belgium’s Delfine Persoon (44-2) in a rematch on Saturday morning from London, England. DAZN will stream this high volatile rematch between fierce lightweights. The co-main features heavyweights Dillian Whyte and Alexander Povetkin. It all begins at 11 a.m.

Plenty of other sports will take place, but Saturday is the night for fighting, not basketball, baseball or soccer.

Let’s take the Taylor-Persoon rematch. Their first encounter took place at Madison Square Garden on the same card as the upset of Anthony Joshua by Andy Ruiz. Fans from the British Isles arrived in droves and expected to celebrate victories by their champions Taylor and Joshua.

It did not happen.

Instead, Joshua was knocked out by Ruiz and Taylor nearly lost her fight against Persoon. Many felt the Irish fighter did lose, but in the end, Taylor emerged the winner by majority decision.

That near-loss has irked Taylor for 14 months.

“This is a legacy-building fight for me and Delfine. We’re both in this sport to prove that we are the best,” said Taylor. “You have two fighters here that absolutely believe that they are going to win. We both think we’re going to win. That’s what makes this such a fantastic fight.”

A lot of questions will be answered when Persoon and Taylor meet again this weekend. First, Persoon has never had PED testing results by VADA released. Was she juiced when she fought Taylor the first time? Is that how she was so tireless in her pursuit for 10 furious rounds?

Also, can Taylor adjust to Persoon’s hyper-aggressive style?

Persoon does not think so.

“We will see who is the best fighter. We didn’t think (Taylor would grant a rematch). We were very surprised Katie is taking this risk. For her, it is a big risk. If she loses, it isn’t good for her career,” said Persoon adding that Taylor grabs and holds too much. “I must not give her time to hold me. Don’t give her the time.”

Heavyweights

Getting back to the Matchroom Boxing card, Whyte (27-1, 18 KOs) has a very capable foe in Povetkin (35-2-1) in this heavyweight match that serves as a litmus test.

Dillian Whyte has rebuilt his reputation and has fans clamoring for another shot at Joshua or maybe even a challenge against Tyson Fury. It’s been nearly five years since he was knocked out by Joshua.

“I’m fighting a consummate professional so I’m not bothered about Tyson Fury. I’m bothered about Povetkin. Povetkin is the most technical fighter I’ve fought. He has beaten a lot of top guys. He’s an Olympic gold medalist. He’s only lost two fights. When the bell goes it doesn’t matter if there’s 100,000 people there or 100 people. You are zoned in,” said Whyte.

Povetkin has only lost to Wladimir Klitschko by decision in 2013 and Joshua by knockout in 2018. The Russian has slowed but his experience is way up there.

“Thanks to Dillian also for taking this fight. Hopefully, it will be a great fight in the heavyweight division. I have taken responsibility to train for this fight, understanding how serious it is,” said Povetkin. “You have to take Dillian seriously. I don’t like to make predictions – but it will be fireworks.”

Light heavyweights on ESPN+

Former light heavyweight world champion Eleider Alvarez and heavy-hitting contender Joe Smith Jr. lead a Top Rank card from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas Bubble that begins at 4:30 p.m. PT on Saturday.

Alvarez (25-1, 13 KOs) is known best for his knockout win over Sergey Kovalev several years back and whenever he’s in the ring it’s not over till its over.

“I want to be champion of the world for a second time. Whether it’s by knockout or decision, I know Joe Smith comes to fight. I’m going to do the best I can to win this because I want to be champion of the world for a second time,” Alvarez said.

Smith (25-3, 20 KOs) is known as the fighter that gave boxing great Bernard Hopkins his last loss with a knockout that sent the Hall of Fame fighter through the ropes. It was a scary ending but that’s the type of power possessed by the fighter from Long Island, New York.

“Being the underdog, I always feel like I have something to prove. I don’t mind it. I like getting in there and proving the world that I belong at the top and should be a champion,” Smith said.

Another interesting bout features former middleweight titlist Rob Brant (25-2, 17 KOs) facing Vitaly Kopylenko (28-2, 16 KOs) of Ukraine. It’s Brant’s first return to the ring since losing in Osaka, Japan to Ryoto Murata a year ago. Kopylenko is also coming off a loss by decision to Steven Butler by decision. It’s sink or swim time for both.

Welterweights on FOX

Shawn “Showtime” Porter (30-3-1, 17 KOs) finally returns to the ring and faces Germany’s Sebastian Formella (22-0, 10 KOs) in a title elimination bout for the welterweight world title. The former world champion is among the first of the elite fighters to step back in the prize ring. FOX will televise the PBC card on Saturday Aug. 22, at 5 p.m. PT.

“I wanted to take on the responsibility of bringing big-time boxing back. I’m one of the first big names to come back and I’m proud to represent my team and my family by getting back in the ring sooner than later,” said Porter, 32.

Few fighters excite fight fans like Porter who’s a pit bull inside the prize ring. His fight a year ago against Errol Spence Jr. lit up the Staples Center in Los Angeles. His clash with Danny “Swift” Garcia was equally exciting. In fact, Porter rarely gives bad fights.

If you ever wondered how the great Henry Armstrong fought, just take a look at any of Porter’s fights. He’s the 21^st century Henry Armstrong.

Formella, 33, is one of the few fighters Porter has ever faced that he can look directly eye to eye. Both are short for welterweights. But the German fighter has never lost and has some decent wins on his record.

Also, on the PBC fight card will be super welterweights Nathaniel Gallimore (21-4-1, 17 KOs) meeting Sebastian Fundora (14-0-1, 9 KOs) who is one of the tallest Latino fighters I’ve ever seen at 154 pounds. It’s a very interesting pairing. Gallimore is not short but he’s giving up six inches in height to Fundora, a southpaw out of Coachella, California.

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