FRIDAY. NIGHT. pic.twitter.com/1DPPaY4ZKm
— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) February 13, 2020
A rundown of the main boxing schedule for the weekend of Feb. 14-15. Showtime, Dazn and FS1 have the weekend on lockdown of the matches that matter most.
WHAT: Ryan Garcia vs. Francisco Fonseca at Honda Center in Anaheim.
WHEN: Feb. 14
HOW TO WATCH: DAZN, 9 p.m. ET
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: He’s not by anybody outside of hardcore boxing circles, but 21-year-old contender Ryan Garcia appears to be the goods. Though he hasn’t taken any elite-level foes just yet, Francisco Fonseca is expected to be the perfect test for young “Kingry.” Garcia (19-0, 16 KOs) has picked up a few minor regional titles so far and the future is very bright for the lightweight, who should get past the tough Nicaraguan on Friday. Fonseca (25-2-2, 19 KOs) has come up short in two bids for a world title; he was knocked out by Gervonta Davis in 2017 and dropped a decision to Tevin Farmer a year later. Also on the card is former multi-divisional world champion and likely future Hall of Famer Jorge Linares (46-5, 28 KOs) against Carlos Morales (19-4-4, 8 KOs) in what should be a typical showcase fight for Linares.
WHAT: Thomas Mattice vs. Isaac Cruz Gonzalez at 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
WHEN: Feb. 14
HOW TO WATCH: Showtime, 9 p.m. ET
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: It’s a ShoBox card, which are usually always fun to watch because it’s the perfect mixture of rising prospects and young contenders looking to make a name form themselves. Headlining this latest installment is Cleveland native Thomas Mattice (15-1-1, 11 KOs) looking to make it three wins in a row after going 1-1-1 over a three-fight span. The lightweight contender will climb into the ring to take on Isaac Cruz Gonzalez (18-1-1, 14 KOs), a 21-year-old Mexico native fighting for just the second time outside of his homeland.
WHAT: Caleb Plant vs. Vincent Feigenbutz at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville
WHEN: Feb. 15
HOW TO WATCH: FS1, 8 p.m. ET
WHY YOU SHOULD CARE: Caleb Plant (19-0, 11 KOs) has made his methodical ascent up the super middleweight ladder and eventually captured the division’s IBF title. Plant beat up Jose Uzcategui last January and won the title via unanimous nod and then defended it by knocking out Mike Lee in July. Up next for “Sweethands” is Vincent Feigenbutz (31-2, 28 KOs), a hard-punching German on a 10-fight winning streak. Feigenbutz has beaten on largely European gatekeepers and he’s yet to face someone the caliber of Plant, and that’s what make this matchup so intriguing.