Here is boxing writer Keith Idec’s inside look at the sport:
FEATURED FIGHT: Vyacheslav Glazkov vs. Charles Martin. They’ll box Saturday night at Barclays Center for the IBF heavyweight title Tyson Fury relinquished after upsetting Wladimir Klitschko on Nov. 28 in Dusseldorf, Germany. Glazkov (21-0-1, 13 KOs), who’s promoted by Totowa-based Main Events, is a skilled former Olympian, but too often doesn’t do enough to win fights convincingly. His unanimous decision against Steve Cunningham (28-7-1, 13 KOs), majority decision over Derric Rossy (30-11, 14 KOs) and draw with Malik Scott (38-2-1, 13 KOs) were controversial outcomes. Martin (22-0-1, 20 KOs) must be aggressive and press for a knockout, even though Glazkov is the most accomplished opponent of his three-year pro career. Showtime will televise the Glazkov-Martin match as the opener of a 10 p.m. doubleheader that’ll feature WBC heavyweight champ Deontay Wilder (35-0, 34 KOs) against Artur Szpilka (20-1, 15 KOs) in the main event.
LOCAL LOOK: Lightweight contender Jonathan Maicelo will return to the ring Jan. 22 in Philadelphia. Maicelo (22-2, 12 KOs), who trains in Hackensack and resides in North Bergen, is scheduled to face Samuel Amoako (21-5, 15 KOs) in a non-televised, eight-round bout at the Pennsylvania Sheet Metal Workers Union Hall.
THE FINAL BELL: Manny Pacquiao implied to rappler.com, a Filipino news outlet, on Monday that his promoter, Bob Arum, insisted that he fight Timothy Bradley a third time April 9 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Pacquiao obviously can fight whomever he wants, but the Filipino superstar should at least stand by what ultimately is his decision. Pretending as though he really wanted a more challenging fight against Terence Crawford, only to get stuck making at least $20 million to box a guy the vast majority of fight fans feel he has easily defeated twice is dishonest.
