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Where to Watch: Canelo vs. Kovalev and Other Big Fights

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Where to Watch: Canelo vs. Kovalev and Other Big Fights
As great as all the boxing was last weekend, the first weekend in November looks even better.

Canelo Alvarez and Sergey Kolavev are two of the biggest stars in the sport. How could you not get up for that big showdown between middlewieght and light heavyweight champions?

Miguel Berchelt is set to make the sixth defense of this WBC junior lightweight title. Hasn’t this fighter quietly put together one of the better runs in the sport over the last few years?

And who doesn’t love Irish lightweight star Katie Taylor?

Here’s where to watch the best fights in the sport this weekend, including when the fight you want to see comes on, how to watch it and the notable undercard action to expect, too.

Friday, Nov. 1, 2019

What: Xavier Martinez (14-0, 10 KOs) vs Jessie Cris Rosales (22-3-1, 10 KOs)

Where: Sam's Town Hotel & Gambling Hall in Las Vegas

When: 10:30 pm ET

How: Showtime

Why: You watch Shobox cards for the same two reasons everybody else does: because it’s a chance for you to catch future world champions before they hit the big time and because there’s really nothing else on TV anyway.

Other Notable Bouts: Richardson Hitchins vs Kevin Johnson, welterweights, 8 rounds; Mark Anthony Hernandez vs Kevin Newman II, super middleweights, 8 rounds; Rolando Romero vs TBA, lightweights, 6 rounds

Saturday, November 2, 2019

What: Katie Taylor (14-0, 6 KOs) vs Christina Linardatou (12-1, 6 KOs)

Where: Manchester Arena in Machester, England

When: 2 pm ET

How: DAZN

Why: If women’s boxing is to become as popular as the women’s division is in the UFC, it needs big stars to do big things. Ireland’s Katie Taylor is one of boxing’s best hopes in that regard. She’s already incredibly popular overseas and might be on her way to doing the same thing stateside. Of equal importance, she’s super skilled and looks like she’s on her way to being to boxing what Rhonda Rousey was to the UFC.

Other Notable Bouts: Anthony Crolla vs TBA, lightweights, 10 rounds; Joshua Buatsi vs Blake Caparello, light heavyweights, 12 rounds

                                                                                          ***

What: Canelo Alvarez (52-1-2, 35 KOs) vs Sergey Kovalev (34-3-1, 29 KOs)

Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada

When: 9 pm ET

How: DAZN

Canelo vs. Kovalev is richly anticipated, because some folks think Canelo is trying to cross a bridge too far.

Why: It’s pretty rare to see the middleweight champion of the world move up two weight classes to challenge at titleholder at 175 but that’s what’s happening here. Alvarez is a throwback fighter in that he’s always looking for bigger and better challenges. He really should be commended more for it. Kovalev is an underdog, but he’s as dangerous as underdogs get. Canelo-Kovalev is the biggest fight of the weekend and one of the best main events of the entire year.

Other Notable Bouts: Ryan Garcia vs Romero Duno, lightweights, 12 rounds; Seniesa Estrada vs Marlen Esparza, flyweights, 10 rounds; Blair Cobbs vs Carlos Ortiz, welterweights, 10 rounds

                                                                                                   ***

What: Miguel Berchelt (36-1, 32 KOs) vs Jason Sosa (23-3-4, 16 Kos)

Where: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, California

When: 10:30 pm ET

How: ESPN

Why: Berchelt has quietly put a solid run together over the last few years at 130 pounds and is one of the most exciting fighters in all of boxing. In facing Sosa, the Mexican is going for his seventh sixth title defense and is facing a former world champion. If you don’t have DAZN for some reason, this is obviously the fight to watch on Saturday night.

Other Notable Bouts: Jerwin Ancajas vs Jonathan Rodriguez, super flyweights, 12 rounds; Javier Molina vs Hiroki Okada, junior welterweights, 10 rounds; Alex Saucedo vs Rod Salka, junior welterweights, 8 rounds

                                                                                                        ***

What: Brian Castano (15-0-1, 11 KOs) vs Wale Omotoso (28-4, 22 KOs)

Where: MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland

When: 10:30 pm ET

How: FS1

Why: Castano is an undefeated prospect on the verge of maybe competing for a world title. He proved he’s good enough to do that when he fought former titleholder Erislandy Lara to a draw last time out. Omotoso is 2-2 in his last four fights but he’s coming off a stunning stoppage of Curtis Stevens. Still, with Canelo-Kovalev on at the same time and a solid backup option on old-school cable TV in Berchelt-Sosa on ESPN, I’m not really sure why you would watch this card live on Saturday unless you just really happen to be in love the PBC.

Other Notable Bouts: Javier Fortuna vs Jesus Cuellar, super featherweights, 10 rounds

Kelsey McCarson covers boxing for NY Fights, The Sweet Science, Gambling.com and Bookies.com. He also hosts a YouTube show about boxing with his wife, Rachel McCarson, called "Real Talk with Kelsey and Rachel".