Inside Fights reviews the boxing schedule every month, and the staff recommends one fight that stands out above the rest. Read on for a list of fights to keep your eye on in February.
Feb 5
Glen Johnson vs. Yusaf Mack – ESPN2
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Adolpho Landeros – ESPN2
Freddy Hernandez vs. Michael Clark – Showtime
Feb 6
Edwin Valero vs. Antonio DeMarco – Showtime
Brandon Rios vs. Jorge Luis Teron – Fox Sports Net
Tomasz Adamek vs. Jason Estrada
Likar Ramos vs. Jorge Solis
Feb 12
Ji-Hoon Kim vs. Tyrone Harris – ESPN2
Feb 13
Nonito Donaire vs. Gerson Guerrero – Top Rank PPV
Eric Morel vs. Gerry Penelosa – Top Rank PPV
Fernando Montiel vs. Ciso Morales – Top Rank PPV
Mario Santiago vs. Bernebe Concepcion – Top Rank PPV
Feb 19
Shawn Porter vs. Russell Porter – ESPN2
William Gonzalez vs. Jose Vasquez – Telemundo
Clarence Adams vs. Edel Ruiz – Telemundo
Feb 20
Giovani Segura vs. Cesar Canchila – Fox Sports Net
Elio Rojas vs. Guty Espadas Jr
Vivian Harris vs. Lucas Matthysse
Feb 25
Victor Ortiz vs. Hector Alatorre – Fox Sports Net
Feb 26
Antonio Escalante vs. Miguel Roman – ESPN2
Feb 27
Henry Bruseles vs. Mike Jones – Fox Sports Net
Kendall Holt vs. Kaizer Mabuza – Fox Sports Net
Marvin Sonsona vs. Wilfredo Vazquez – Integrated Sports PPV
Chris Henry vs. Hugo Hernan Garay – Integrated Sports PPV
Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Orlando Cruz
Staff Picks: Fight To Watch
Corey’s Pick: Antonio DeMarco vs. Edwin Valero
Feb 6 on Showtime
Antonio DeMarco vs. Edwin Valero is without question the best fight this month. It’s a classic matador vs. bull matchup, with an especially wild bull in Valero and a matador still trying to hone his skills in DeMarco. That is, DeMarco’s still a brawler at heart, which should keep this fight from becoming a chess match for too long. Neither man has been knocked out, yet you can’t help but get the feeling that someone is getting laid out in this one. Boxing fans have been hearing about the almost-mythical Valero for about four years now, so the aura he has carried with him is very much on the line. It’s time to see if he sinks or swims when matched tough.
Paul’s Pick: Glen Johnson vs. Yusaf Mack
Feb 5 on ESPN2
This IBF Light Heavyweight Title Eliminator on ESPN2 Friday Night Fights will come down to the young bomber vs. the old warhorse and it can’t help but be a thriller. Mack has the power and hunger, Johnson has the experience and durability. This one takes boxing back to a time when battle-hardened veterans regularly took on eager and dangerous contenders before getting a shot at the world title. Johnson-Mack has Fight of the Year candidate written all over it. And, maybe best of all, it’s on free TV.
Trent’s Pick: Edwin Valero vs. Antonio DeMarco
Feb 6 on Showtime
There are a lot of decent fights in February but none with a high profile. HBO is off for the month and there will only be one presentation of Showtime Championship Boxing. While the Feb 13 Top Rank PPV has the best card, I’m going to go with Valero-DeMarco. Edwin Valero deserves to be seen at least once, and Feb 6 is as good a time as any in a slow month. Valero has never had one of his 26 fights go the distance but DeMarco is by no means looking for a moral victory. Tune in to Showtime on Feb 6 to see what all the hype is about.
