5 things this weekend in boxing: A not-so-‘Swift’ exit and a York Hall middleweight blockbuster

It’s not always stadium fights and pay-per-view stars that keep boxing’s heart beating.

Well-matched toss-ups between domestic rivals can get the blood pumping more than these multi-million dollar events, and we have a handful of them across the globe this weekend.

From east London’s historic York Hall to a Brooklyn farewell — along with a busy night for the famed “TBA” in Islamabad — let’s take a look at the weekend’s boxing action.

1. Danny Garcia’s not so ‘Swift’ exit in Brooklyn

Danny Garcia (37-4, 21 KOs) waves goodbye to boxing this weekend, from inside an arena that has shaped his legacy.

The 37-year-old has practically kept a second ZIP code in Brooklyn, fighting nearly a quarter of his career under the Barclays lights. He christened the place back in March 2012, defending his light welterweight crown against Erik Morales and introducing the freshly-built arena to what would soon become its favorite houseguest.

On Saturday night he’s pitted against Queens’ Daniel Gonzalez (22-4-1, 7 KOs), headlining an exhausting card that features no fewer than 28 fighters across 10 weight classes!

Garcia may have to stay patient during a long goodbye, but with the likes of Gabe Rosado and Chris Colbert on the undercard, there could be some fun in store, streamed live on Millions.co for a $39.99 price tag — probably the cost of two beers from inside the Barclays.

2. Conway vs. Liddard heads to east London’s York Hall

Kieron Conway (23-3-1, 7 KOs) puts his British and Commonwealth middleweight straps on the line against George Liddard (12-0, 7 KOs) on a Friday afternoon show that’s already underway as you read this. Liddard is the unbeaten golden boy who’s been talking like he’s allergic to defeat. On paper, it’s as close to perfect matchmaking as the sport ever manages — which is to say, nobody’s quite sure who’s going to cop it first.

Conway’s been on a quiet five-fight heater since getting schooled by Austin “Ammo” Williams in 2022, looking like a man determined to prove experience still counts for something in a world obsessed with shiny new prospects. Enter Liddard — shiny new prospect.

And where else but east London’s York Hall?

The air smells like sweat and nostalgia, the crowd is three pints deep on arrival from work, and every creak of the old floorboards sounds like history groaning in approval. If this one disappoints, I’ll eat my press pass — and maybe one of Bethnal Green’s famous beigels for dessert.

3. MVP host all-Mexican world title fight at light flyweight

After nearly two years parked on the sidelines, Yesica Nery Plata is finally dusting off the gloves and heading back to business — or, more accurately, back to the beach.

On Saturday night, under the South Padre Island sun, she’ll try to snatch her old WBC light flyweight titles from Lourdes Juarez on top of a Most Valuable Prospect show.

Nery Plata (30-2, 3 KOs) hasn’t lost since 2017. She upset Kim Clavel in January 2023 to unify the WBA and WBC belts, then spent the rest of the year handing Sarah Bormann her first loss for good measure. Then? Nothing. Radio silence. The WBC got twitchy, Juarez (38-4, 5 KOs) got a call, and the belt got a new home.

Juarez isn’t exactly a placeholder, either. She ruled at super flyweight for what felt like forever before dropping two on the trot to Asley Gonzalez Macias in 2022-23 — both courtesy of razor-thin judges calls. Still, she’s savvy, durable, and more than happy to test Plata’s reflexes after that long layoff.

On paper, it’s a rough re-entry for Nery Plata — but if she and fellow MVP signing Clavel can both get through their next fights, there’s a rematch just waiting to happen. And let’s be honest: If you’re going to stage a revenge story, you might as well do it somewhere with palm trees.

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4. It’s semi-final time at the WBC Boxing Grand Prix

We’re down to the Sweet Sixteen at the WBC Boxing Grand Prix.

After 128 fighters — across four weight divisions — started out in pursuit of the inaugural José Sulaimán Trophy, eight semifinals at featherweight, super lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight head to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend in an array of competitive six-rounders.

As is with all new ventures in sport, and boxing in particular, who knows how much value and esteem will be placed on the eventual winners of this inaugural tournament.

The WBC and Mauricio Sulaimán’s appraisal will no doubt be at odds with the other sanctioning bodies, but with Riyadh Season and Turki Alalshikh standing in their corner, they may be able to strong-arm their winners into big opportunities.

5. A marathon attempt for ‘TBA’ on TrillerTV+

On a card from Islamabad, Pakistan, that is due to take place on Saturday (streaming live on TrillerTV+), 10 out of a mammoth 17 fights have the fabled “TBA” listed as an opponent.

Now, we’re not suggesting we would do any better in managing the operations and matchmaking of this “Clash of Nations: Islamabad Showdown” card, but if you have a ticket to the event inside the currently unknown venue, then it might be a good idea to take your gloves and gumshield in case of a last-minute call-up.

Hassan Manzoor (6-1, 5 KOs) vs. Julius Thomas Kisarawe (38-12-1, 22 KOs) at bantamweight is the only contest listed as a 10-rounder so should, in theory, headline the event, reigniting that age-old rivalry between fighters from Pakistan and Tanzania (ahem).

All jokes aside, these weird and wonderful events can often serve up some memorable spectacles — just not always for the right reasons.

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