Boxing’s June Highlights
June is consistently one of the busiest months on the global sports calendar. Between the NBA Finals, the Stanley Cup, and various other international events, it is easy to get distracted. However, for fight fans, there is plenty of action to keep an eye on, including potential contenders for the Fight of the Year. Here is a breakdown of the top five boxing matches scheduled for June.
5. Jack Massey vs. Cheavon Clarke (June 6)
This 50-50 cruiserweight clash takes place in Bournemouth, England. Jack Massey (23-3, 13 KOs) is looking to bounce back from high-profile losses to elite fighters like Joseph Parker and Jai Opetaia. A win here could position him for a future rematch with Chris Billam-Smith. However, his opponent, Cheavon Clarke (11-2, 8 KOs), is coming off a momentum-building stoppage win and is looking to prove his own championship potential.
4. Antonio Vargas vs. Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez (June 13)
Whenever Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez enters the ring, it is a must-watch event. Moving up to the bantamweight division, the 26-year-old unified champion (23-0, 16 KOs) will challenge Antonio Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) for the WBA title in Glendale, Arizona. While Vargas has shown toughness, he will face a massive challenge against one of the most explosive fighters in the sport today.
3. Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro (June 24)
Lewis Crocker (22-0, 11 KOs) has found it difficult to land big-name opponents in the welterweight division. Consequently, he is heading to Australia to defend his IBF title against Liam Paro (27-1, 16 KOs). Though Crocker enters the bout as the underdog while fighting on foreign soil, both men possess significant power, making this a highly competitive matchup.
2. Arturo Cardenas vs. Jordan Martinez 2 (June 13)
After a controversial split draw in February, Arturo Cardenas (17-0-2, 9 KOs) and Jordan Martinez (16-0-1, 15 KOs) are running it back. Many observers believed Martinez won the first encounter, leading to immediate interest in this rematch. Held on the undercard of the Vargas-Rodriguez event in Arizona, this super bantamweight clash promises to be just as balanced and intense as their initial meeting.
1. Xander Zayas vs. Jaron Ennis (June 27)
The headline event of the month is an unexpected and thrilling super welterweight showdown in Brooklyn. Both undefeated fighters are putting their perfect records on the line in a matchup of two of boxing's brightest young stars.
«A superstar will be born on June 27,» as both Zayas and Ennis look to cement their status at the top of the 154-pound division. Zayas brings his WBO and WBA hardware to the table, while Ennis (35-0, 31 KOs) looks to prove that he is the dominant force in this weight class following a successful transition from welterweight.