Everyone encounters rivals in life, whether you want to admit it or not.
They might emerge at work as you strive for that next promotion, in the gym when you notice the person next to you increasing their speed on the treadmill, or even with your neighbor in a competition to take out the trash first on a Monday night.
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Boxing is no different.
This weekend’s matches are driven by rivalries, each unique in its own way. Ryan Garcia is engaged in a personal rivalry with himself as he seeks to reach his full potential. Meanwhile, Josh Warrington faces off against Leigh Wood, who knocked him out nearly 900 days ago. Additionally, Franchón Crews-Dezurn is pitted against the woman she’s always been compared to: “GWOAT” Claressa Shields.
1. Garcia Faces a Crucial Test Against Barrios
This might be a pivotal moment for Ryan Garcia.
It certainly should be—assuming we believe he won’t keep receiving opportunities regardless of how his career unfolds.
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Saturday’s WBC welterweight title fight against Mario Barrios is Garcia’s most significant chance yet to win a world title. Barrios has had two recent draws against Abel Ramos and Manny Pacquiao.
However, Garcia’s recent performance hasn’t been stellar. At 27 years old, he struggled in his last fight against Rolly Romero and returned unremarkably post his drug test suspension that turned a win over Devin Haney into a no contest.
Nonetheless, Garcia has immense potential. He’s well positioned going into this bout, and it would be surprising if he doesn’t leave with the WBC welterweight title.
2. Wood and Warrington Face Possible Retirement
The tension between Leigh Wood and Josh Warrington is palpable, leaving little doubt that it’s genuine; if not, both must deserve accolades for their acting skills.
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Having spent time around Wood in recent years, it’s clear that Warrington has been a recurring mention, even after Wood’s seventh-round TKO against him in 2023.
Now, at a combined age of 72 with their best world-title chances behind them, Wood and Warrington need each other, and so do their fans.
With the additional dynamic of the Nottingham Forest versus Leeds United football rivalry, the fight in Nottingham on Saturday promises excitement inside and outside the ring.
The loser may consider retirement, and potentially, so might the victor.
3. Shields and Crews-Dezurn Reunite After a Decade
Claressa Shields is set to face off against Franchón Cruz-Dezurn in Detroit, a decade after they both turned pro in a match that Shields won.
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A lot has changed in their careers over these ten years. Shields remains unbeaten and is regarded near the pinnacle of the women’s pound-for-pound rankings. This Sunday marks her first bout since signing an $8 million deal.
Cruz-Dezurn had a successful comeback after losing to Savannah Marshall, but now faces her toughest challenge at age 38. She is determined to prove she can compete with Shields, but it won’t be easy against such a seasoned opponent.
4. Anticipated Clash: Ishmael Davis vs. Bilal Fawaz
The British and Commonwealth super welterweight titles will be contested on the Wood vs. Warrington undercard, featuring a dynamic matchup between Ishmael Davis and Bilal Fawaz.
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Davis has had a busy slate, recovering from recent defeats with victories in subsequent months. Having just claimed the British and Commonwealth titles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, he’ll now defend against the spirited Fawaz.
Fawaz’s life story is truly inspiring. Trafficked to the UK as a child and forced into labor, he later found refuge in the boxing world, a decision that transformed his life. He’s now fighting not just for a title, but a future.
5. Dave Allen’s Return
After four months since his last fight at Sheffield Arena, where he lost to Arslanbek Makhmudov, Dave Allen is back in action this weekend, likely facing 12-10 Frenchman Karim Berredjem on the undercard in Nottingham.
Staying true to his persona, Allen is approachable and candid, even regarding the caliber of his opponent, as he noted in a recent YouTube video:
“Someone said to me the other day, ‘He is f***ing terrible, him’. I said, ‘He’s not bad; he’s not a world-beater, but neither am I.’ A comeback fight for Tyson Fury is different from mine. I’m grateful for anyone who buys a ticket to watch me box.”
