This weekend brings a packed boxing schedule with talent from around the globe. Fans can expect highlight matchups including Emanuel Navarrete vs. Charly Suarez in San Diego for the WBO junior lightweight title, and Erickson Lubin vs. Ardreal Holmes Jr. in Florida for a key IBF junior middleweight eliminator. The action spans venues in England, Japan, and Africa, making this one of the most internationally diverse fight weekends of 2025.
Major bouts to watch include Anthony Cacace facing Leigh Wood in Nottingham, a rematch between Fernando Martinez and Kazuto Ioka in Tokyo, and Souleymane Cissokho’s welterweight clash with Egidijus Kavaliauskas in Africa. Below we break down every can’t-miss fight, storylines, and what’s at stake for every fighter.
Cacace vs. Wood: Junior Lightweight Showdown in Nottingham
Anthony Cacace and Leigh Wood enter the ring at the Nottingham Arena on Saturday for a junior lightweight battle that could reshape the division’s title picture. Both men hold recent wins over respected names and carry veteran experience.
Leigh Wood, fighting before his hometown fans, formerly ranked No. 1 at featherweight, is coming off a layoff but remains a dangerous contender. He relinquished his WBA belt after stopping Josh Warrington in 2023 and now aims to reignite his career at 130 pounds against an opponent with real momentum.
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Anthony Cacace surprised many with his stoppage win over Joe Cordina in Saudi Arabia and chose to vacate his IBF title for this fight. He owns both a height and reach advantage and recently defeated Warrington as well. Though both are 36, Cacace’s recent activity may prove decisive.
This fight is significant without a world title on the line. The winner is expected to be in line for a future title shot, potentially against whoever prevails in Navarrete-Suarez the same weekend.
Navarrete vs. Suarez: WBO Junior Lightweight Title Fight in San Diego
Emanuel Navarrete puts his WBO junior lightweight belt on the line against unbeaten Charly Suarez in San Diego. Navarrete, a proud champion from Mexico, is coming off a dominating win over Oscar Valdez, a fight that added to his reputation for unrelenting power and stamina.
Navarrete has won world titles in three different weight divisions. His destructive liver shot against Valdez, followed by three knockdowns, underlined how dangerous he is at 130 pounds. Now, Suarez brings 18 straight wins from the Philippines hoping to pull off the upset and capture his first world crown.
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Suarez is highly skilled with impressive amateur credentials, but has yet to face anyone at Navarrete’s level. If Navarrete wins and stays at junior lightweight, big unification possibilities await, especially a possible fight with WBC king O’Shaquie Foster.
There are strong rumors Navarrete may aim for world title glory at lightweight again. He narrowly lost to Denys Berinchyk in May 2024. For now, though, his mind is set on defending his WBO belt and showing why he is considered a must-watch every time he steps in the ring.
Lubin vs. Holmes: IBF Junior Middleweight Title Eliminator in Florida
The junior middleweight division heats up with Erickson Lubin facing undefeated Ardreal Holmes Jr. in Kissimmee, Florida. This is an official IBF eliminator with the winner set to become mandatory challenger for Bakhram Murtazaliev’s world title.
Lubin, from Orlando, is the more seasoned professional, having fought some of the division’s best. Despite injuries and a long layoff since his victory over Jesus Ramos in September 2023, Lubin’s powerful southpaw style can trouble any opponent at 154 pounds. Fans still remember his all-action clash with Sebastian Fundora.
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Holmes, from Flint, Michigan, is less experienced but active, collecting three wins so far in 2024. He brings momentum and a hunger to break through on the big stage. Both men are lefties, which should make for an intriguing tactical battle.
The stakes are high: a win positions either man for a world title shot, and a loss could stall their careers just as the junior middleweight division is on the brink of major shakeups.
This bout is set for Saturday evening on PROBOX TV, offering plenty of drama and a potential highlight for American fight fans this weekend.
Martinez vs. Ioka: Junior Bantamweight Rematch in Tokyo
Fernando Martinez returns to Japan for a rematch with veteran Kazuto Ioka this Sunday in Tokyo, a fight that promises action after their intense first meeting last July. That contest saw Martinez outland Ioka and take a unanimous decision in an exhausting, relentless brawl.
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Ioka, a legend of Japanese boxing, has been a pro for 16 years and is seeking to become world champion in a third weight class. He lost to Martinez last summer but looks for revenge and a last run at world-level glory. Ioka’s ability to rally and adapt has defined his career, but age will test whether he can handle Martinez’s unyielding style a second time.
Martinez, still unbeaten as a pro, is a relentless volume puncher from Argentina. His engine and pressure wore down Ioka in their unification bout, and he’ll hope to replicate that against a possibly weathered 36-year-old challenger.
Their first match was delayed from December after Martinez pulled out ill. Both men now have had plenty of recovery time, meaning fans should expect no excuses and a meeting at peak performance.
Cissokho vs. Kavaliauskas: WBC Welterweight Eliminator in Africa
Souleymane Cissokho travels to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, for a much-anticipated match against the heavy-handed Egidijus Kavaliauskas. This is a WBC welterweight title eliminator and a historic event, as Cissokho fights on African soil just 2,000 miles from his homeland of Senegal.
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Cissokho, who trains in California with Virgil Hunter, had his title hopes put on hold with injury and a long layoff, but remains undefeated. Based in Paris, he is eager to finally have a showcase fight that could earn him his long-awaited world title opportunity.
Kavaliauskas is based in California but represents Lithuania and has been stopped only when moving to the very highest level, losing to world champions Terence Crawford and Vergil Ortiz. He brings real danger with his punch but has struggled against elite boxers in the past.
Cissokho’s height, reach, and technical skill edge make him the favorite, especially given Kavaliauskas’ setbacks when fighting at this level. The fight sets up a possible welterweight title bout for the winner later this year.
Key Takeaways for Fight Fans This Weekend
This weekend delivers a wide spectrum of high-stakes fights across boxing’s most competitive weight classes and global cities. There are unbeaten contenders facing dangerous vets, title eliminators with world championship implications, and rematches that promise drama.
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Whether you watch for the skills of Navarrete, the storylines around Cacace and Wood, or up-and-comers like Holmes and Cissokho, every fight carries significant consequences for how each division shakes out in the second half of 2025.
Keep an eye on potential next opponents, including possible unifications at 130 pounds or new title challengers emerging at 154 and 147. Big surprises always lurk on fight night, especially when experienced pros face hungry, unbeaten challengers.
Stay tuned for updates as results come in – these fights could shape boxing’s champions and narratives for months to come.
