This Week in Boxing.

Hey, fight fans what another great week for boxing. You may agree or you may disagree with the draw between Joel Casamayor and “Kid Diamond”, but one thing is for sure, that “Diamond” is one exciting fighter to watch. Throw in the arrival of Miguel Cotto as a full-fledged contender,

and it was a great night of boxing. Out of respect to his fans, I will mention that Tyson did headline a show, but we all know what happened so there is no point in discussing that any further. I will stop this yada, yada, yada now, as it is time to start the tour that is “This Week in Boxing.” If all of you will please turn to your right, ESPN 2’s Tuesday Night Fights series brings us the continuing comeback of “The Galaxxy Warrior” Nate Campbell, as he will swap leather with the tough and awkward Francisco Lorenzo. This is Campbell’s second fight back since losing against Australian Robbie “The Bomber” Peden for the vacant IBF 130-pound title. Lorenzo is a rough night for anyone as he throws many punches, has a solid chin, and shoots shots from all kinds of angles. We will see if “The Galaxxy Warrior” has the confidence and drive to earn another title shot down the road. The televised under-card features a nondescript contest between Backlin Medrano and Carlos Diaz. These two fighters have met once before, a fight which resulted in a draw. I do not understand why this fight is going to be televised, but oh well!

Coming up on the left hand side, Thursday night brings us the latest edition of HBO Latinos “Boxeo De Oro” boxing series promoted by Golden Boy Promotions. The main event of the evening brings us the continued climb of rising bantamweight contender Jhonny Gonzalez as he will clash with the solid Adolfo Landeros. Gonzalez is a freakishly tall bantamweight that can punch with both fists. He is a little wild at times and leaves himself open for counters. Landeros may not have a great record, but he is a decent fighter never stopped before, so we will see if Gonzalez can take him out. The televised portion of the under-card features the undefeated welterweight prospect, Demetrius “The Gladiator” Hopkins taking on the shopworn Roberto “El Viejo” Valenzuela in a ten round tilt. Valenzuela’s career began at 120-pounds, and he has lost five out of his last seven bouts, so that tells you everything. On the non-televised portion of the under-card, bantamweight prospect “Lil” Abner Mares will be taking on a nondescript opponent. Mares is exciting, but still needs a lot of work.

We continue our tour this Friday as Telefutura’s “Solo Boxeo” boxing series will feature two highly touted prospects in Steven Luevano and Jesse Gonzalez. They are both fighting TBA. I am not sure who TBA is, but he must make a lot of money, and be one bad mother to be able to fight twice on the same night. ESPN 2’s Friday Night Fights boxing show will bring us the battle of the brothers as Manny’s brother Bobby Pacquiao takes on Jose Navarro’s brother, Carlos. Neither of these pugilists compares to their brothers, but against each other, it should be an interesting scrap.

On the same night, in Italy, Stefano Zoff takes on perennial contender Leavander Johnson for the vacant IBF lightweight title. This will mark Johnson’s fourth title attempt so let us see if he can finally get over that hump. Telemundo will also feature some boxing as the always-entertaining Gilbert Reyes takes on Michael Santos in a ten round bout. The televised portion of the under-card will feature Ener Julio. ENER JULIO!?! Holy cow! This guy still fights? Anyway, he takes on Lenin Arroyo for some belt I am sure as Julio is always fighting for some belt. Oh well, maybe it is not such a good idea for Telemundo to hostfight cards.

Our final tour stop of the week is on Saturday night as live on HBO will be the rematch between Glen Johnston taking on southpaw Antonio Tarver for the Ring Magazine light heavyweight belt. The first fight was entertaining, and with Johnson’s busy style, this should be another good fight to watch. The televised portion of the under-card brings us a 160-pound contest between the always-exciting Verno Phillips, taking on the come backing Ike Quartey. Phillips is coming off a loss to titlist Kassim Ouma and aims to halt Quartey’s return to boxing. Both of these fighters like to make contact so this should be fun to watch.

There you have it fight fans. There is something for everyone this week as there is a lot of boxing on television. Make sure to tune in and watch as many fights as possible. Until next week my friends, “Ta-ta!”

Sergio Martinez can be reached at srg_mrtnz@yahoo.com