The boxing gods have gifted us with a weekend of incredible action. Friday and Saturday's action will be Pay Per View on the streaming service DAZN (you can buy both fights now for a cheaper bundled price) and Sunday will be streaming on ESPN+ for anyone who has that subscription. Let's get into the fights and why you should watch.
Friday 5/2/25 in Times Square, New York City on DAZN PPV:
Ryan Garcia vs Rolly Romero
11:00 PM ET/10:00 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Ryan Garcia (24-1) is still entering his prime at just 26 years old, despite already facing off against undefeated champions in Tank Davis and Devin Haney. The latter involved a lead up to the fight with Garcia going on wild Twitter rants that had many questioning his mental health. He silenced the doubters, however, with a beat down of Haney (...with the caveat that he did come in heavy, missed weight, and got popped for PEDs).
Rolando Romero (16-2) has another chance to prove he belongs, having only lost to Pitbull Cruz and Tank Davis, two all stars in the sport.
Why You Should Watch:
This interview says it all. Garcia is... entertaining on good days, problematic on bad days, but a great watch in the ring every day. He brings energy, speed, and a left hook for the ages.
Teofimo Lopez vs Arnold Barboza Jr
10:30 PM ET/9:30 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Teofimo Lopez (21-1) went from super athletic prospect into full blown star when he defeated hall of famer and former pound-for-pound king, Vasily Lomachenko (18-3) on ESPN in October, 2020. Since then Teofimo has been a massive personality as he does backflips at the end of fights, feuding constantly with his trainer and dad, retiring then unretiring and lately has attempted to embrace a heel turn by race baiting other fighters. When Teofimo has a big fight he shows up and performs like no one else can in the sport.
Why You Should Watch:
Teofimo finds himself fighting another great fighter in Arnold Barboza Jr (32-0). This is our #1 vs #2 in the 140 lb, Junior Welterweight Division. This should be a skillful but action packed fight as Teofimo continues to etch his name among boxing's greats. Adding to the intrigue is the future proposed fights between Teofimo, Garcia and Haney.
Devin Haney vs Jose Ramirez
8:15 PM ET/7:15 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Devin Haney (31-0) was seen as the heir to the Floyd "Money" Mayweather mantle. Haney had it all going for him. He is young, defensively elite, and can box the socks off his opponents. He was well on his way to earn that praise as he showed he took only big fights that were very tough matchups. He was on a historic run of Jose Linares, Joseph Diaz, George Kambosos Jr (x2), Vasiliy Lomachenko, Regis Prograis and finally Ryan Garcia. Everything changed for Haney in April of 2024 when Ryan Garcia, his rival from the amateurs, shocked the world. Haney was knocked down officially three times. Garcia won via split decision and Haney was left questioning himself. Then Ryan Garcia popped for PED use after the fight. Haney pushed for the results of the fight to be nullified and thus his sole loss was wiped off the books. The biggest issue is the public memory is still alive and well of the beating he took. This is Haney's first fight back after that whole debacle.
Why You Should Watch:
All eyes will be on Haney but this matchup is must see TV. Jose Ramirez (28-2) is a former unified lightweight champion. He is coming off a loss to Arnold Barboza Jr who we will see in the main event. Big questions remain about how Haney will respond to the beating Garcia put on him and if he has now become "chinny". If Haney wins this will set up the Garcia mega fight rematch. Ramirez, however, can play spoiler and get himself the biggest win of his career.
Saturday 5/3/25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on DAZN PPV
Canelo Alvarez vs William Scull
11:30 PM ET/10:30 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
The face of boxing, Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2), makes his Cinco de Mayo weekend return. This time, however, he is fighting outside the U.S. and Mexico for the first time ever as he collects that Saudi payday. Canelo is the king of the 168 lb, Super Middleweight Division. He lost his Undisputed status when the IBF stripped him and let William Scull (23-0) fight for the vacant belt. Let's be clear here, Canelo is the draw. He is coming towards the end of a historic career and after getting Scull out of the way he will set his sights on Terence "Bud" Crawford (41-0).
Why You Should Watch:
You are watching this for the same reason you tune in for LeBron James, Messi, Ovechkin or Tom Brady. You know they will be finished soon and you want to have participated as a fan during a golden era. Canelo's years at the absolute pinnacle of boxing are coming to an end soon. Watch now to see how a small, red headed Mexican conquered boxing. You will be entertained.
Jaime Munguia vs Bruno Surace
11:00 PM ET/10:00 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Jaime Munguia (44-2) was on superstar trajectory until recently. Even as he took his first from the face of boxing, Canelo Alvarez (62-2-2), his trajectory was still rising. He fought well even in that loss. His next fight he returned home to Tijuana for a tune up fight against Frenchmen Bruno Surace (26-0). Well Surace was picked for having marshmallows for hands but Munguia got knocked out and relegated to "Was he even actually any good?" status. So now we get the rematch against Surace to settle that debate.
Why You Should Watch:
Munguia is a very fun fighter, despite losing two fights in a row. He is all offense and literally no defense. That makes for good TV. If he is able to avenge his loss against Surace then Munguia gets his name back in the middle of the Super Middleweight Division and could make some fun fights.
Badou Jack vs Ryan Rozicki
9:00 PM ET/8:00 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Badou Jack (28-3-3) has one of the coolest names in boxing. Ryan Rozicki (20-1-1) looks like the bad guy in a 2020 Sylvester Stallone movie. Jack has been a fighter we have talked about for years. He is just that one fight from putting it together and becoming elite. Only problem is that it never really happens. Rozicki is a Canadian goon who fights like its 1905 but people think he could win himself a title in the near future.
Why You Should Watch:
This one is a toss up. I could see it turning into a blood and guts brawl where one fighter is forced to dig deeper than they have ever before to win. It could also be a boring, ugly, no punch fest where they are clenching and holding the majority of the fight. I am an optimist so I am hoping that Rozicki acts like a bookie that Jack owes money to.
Martin Bakole vs Efe Ajagba
8:30 PM ET/7:30 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Efe Ajagba (20-1) takes on Martin Bakole (21-2) in a battle for the IBF heavyweight championship. Both men enter as 31 year old title contenders who feel there is still time to make a run at the big names in the division.
Why You Should Watch:
On August 24, 2018, at The Armory in Minneapolis, MN, Curtis Harper entered the ring to face off against Efe Ajagba. As the bell rang, Harper immediately turned around and left the ring, walking back up the tunnel, and out of sight. It was one of the most shocking and hilarious moments of my boxing-viewing life. Do I expect that to happen in this fight (or ever again)? No. Is Ajagba still the fear-inducing behemoth I saw that fateful night? No. Will this fight be fun to watch as two slightly underachieving, yet highly ranked contenders battle for a shot at a future world title bout? Absolutely.
Sunday 5/3/25 in Las Vegas, Nevada on ESPN+
Naoya Inoue vs Ramon Cardenas
12:30 AM ET/11:30 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Naoye Inoue, AKA The Monster, is must-see TV for any boxing enthusiast. He is one of the few fighters up for debate as the pound for pound king, and his resume says it all:
- 29-0 with 26 KOs
- Champion in four weight classes, including light flyweight (108 lbs), super flyweight (115 lbs), bantamweight (118 lbs), and super bantamweight (122 lbs)
- Undisputed champion in two weight classes
His opponent, Ramon Cardenas, brings his 26-1 record to T-Mobile Arena in hopes of shocking the boxing world. Cardenas is coming off a victory by unanimous decision in February, defeating the previously undefeated Bryan Acosta in a super bantamweight clash in Ramon's hometown of San Antonio, Texas. He boasts 14 knockout wins, but is more strategic than he is heavy hitting.
Why You Should Watch:
The Japanese Monster returns to the U.S. for the first time in nearly four years. As a boxing fan, and specifically a Naoye Inoue fan, it feels as though it's been longer. There may not be a more enjoyable boxer to watch than Inoue, but tuning in at 6:00 am on Tuesdays to watch his fights in Japan just doesn't have the same feel to it, as has been the case for his last seven bouts. That changes Sunday in Las Vegas.
The 32 year old Inoue possesses rare power for a lighter fighter, making his speed and power combination a sight to behold. He is a technician with pinpoint accuracy, and like a heavyweight, can end any fight in one shot.
Given his history and age, who knows when Inoue will be back to fight in the States, if ever, so this may be one of the last opportunities to see him in prime time. Don't miss it.
Rafael Espinoza vs Edward Vazquez
11:00 PM ET/10:00 PM CST
Who's Fighting:
Last time we saw Rafael Espinoza (26-0) he was playing spoiler against Robseiy Ramirez in their WBO Featherweight tilt in December 2024. Espinoza is a unique fighter at the 126 lb, Featherweight division because he is a towering 6'1 ft tall. He is a giant in the division and is your classic Mexican fighter. The dude is absolutely vicious. His left hook to the body is killer. Edward Vazquez (17-2) has a tall (see what I did there) order against Espinoza. He is best known for his loss against Raymond Ford. Vazquez has slow feet and relies on coming forward and pressuring his opponent.
Why You Should Watch:
Typically the little guys like the 126 lb'ers don't get much love but I am here to change that. Espinoza is the type of guy who deserves to be watched. He has all the skills and he pairs that with the Mexican fighting style. He wants to thoroughly break you down and make you quit. He is a patient, aggressive fighter. Vazquez's style plays into Espinoza's style and should make for a fight that is full of fireworks.