Nine Must-See Fights in January

After a thrilling 2013, boxing gets off to a slow but solid start in 2014 with a limited schedule of quality bouts before truly kicking off the new year schedule.

Highlights include a Canadian super fight, showcases for several young talents, and a few main stage veterans looking to reaffirm their status after an ugly fall from grace.

Here's a look at January's nine must-see bouts:

January 18

Jean Pascal (28-2-1, 17 KOs) vs. Lucian Bute (31-1, 24 KOs)

Officially billed as a NABF light heavyweight title fight, this battle of foreign-born Canadian former world titlists may really just be a lead-in to a bigger showdown against WBC titlist and consensus champ Adonis Stevenson. Both talented former champs desperately need an impressive main stage victory after embarrassing recent losses, so expect a hard-fought battle spurred on by a loud and passionate Bell Centre audience in Montreal.

Television: HBO

Mike Perez (20-0, 12 KOs) vs. Carlos Takam (29-1, 23 KOs)

In November, hard-hitting Cuban heavyweight Perez beat heavy-handed contender Magomed Abdusalamov into a coma and made a huge impression on American fight fans. Now, Perez is once again matched against a heavy-handed foe in what will likely be a showcase bout for bigger things. Cameroon's Takam is a big puncher, but counts TKO wins over Michael Grant and Frans Botha as his only victories of note. Expect Perez to shine in a one-sided beating on the Pascal-Bute undercard, but count on officials stepping in before things get too ugly.

Television: HBO

Eleider Alvarez (13-0, 8 KOs) vs. Thomas Oosthuizen (22-0-2, 13 KOs)

Colombia's Alvarez may be the next big thing in the light heavyweight division, but he should get a solid challenge from South Africa's former super middleweight darling and 175-lb. newcomer Oosthuizen. Also on the Pascal-Bute undercard, this one will be for the WBC silver light heavyweight title.

Television: HBO

January 24

Javier Molina (14-1, 6 KOs) vs. Kendall Holt (28-6, 16 KOs)

The former junior welterweight champ, Holt has solid skills, but suffers from lapses in concentration and an inability to produce a consistent effort. Now fighting at welterweight, consider this his last chance at redemption and yet one more run at a title. The 32-year-old Holt will be facing 24-year-old prospect Molina in a solid old school vs. new blood crossroads bout.

Television: ESPN2 Friday Night Fights

January 25

Lamont Peterson (31-2-1, 16 KOs) vs. Dierry Jean (25-0, 17 KOs)

IBF junior welterweight champ Peterson was on top of the world until he was steamrolled in three rounds last May by Lucas Matthysse in a non-title bout. Still the champ, Peterson now has to pick up the pieces and face the challenge of talented, undefeated Haitian-Canadian Jean.

Television: Showtime

Jermell Charlo (22-0, 11 KOs) vs. Gabriel Rosado (21-7, 13 KOs)

If 23-year-old junior middleweight prospect Charlo is not "for real," the tough-as-nails Rosado will gladly expose him as more pretender than contender. Rosado, who has had tough luck in a temporary move to middleweight, is better suited for the 154-lb. limit and keen on getting the high-profile upset on Showtime's Peterson-Jean undercard.

Television: Showtime

Mikey Garcia (33-0, 28 KOs) vs. Juan Carlos Burgos (30-1-2, 20 KOs)

Garcia is a joy to watch, regardless of the opposition. Technically sound and precise, the kid brother of Robert Garcia is also a heavy-handed finisher with true boxing killer instincts. In his first defense of the WBO super featherweight title, Garcia will face tough and deserving former world title challenger Burgos in a bout guaranteed to bring excitement for as long as it lasts.

Television: HBO

Bryant Jennings (17-0, 9 KOs) vs. Artur Szpilka (16-0, 12 KOs)

Many feel that Jennings, and not Deontay Wilder, is America's next best bet to bring home a heavyweight title. The Philadelphia native lacks the power and size to compete with a Klitschko, but his tenacious attitude and growing ring IQ make him a threat to just about anyone else in the division. Against Poland's Szpilka, Jennings will meet a tenacious battler with a big heart and a solid punch. This bout will be on the undercard of the Garcia-Burgos main event at the the Madison Square Garden Theater in New York.

Television: HBO

January 30

Victor Ortiz (29-4-2, 22 KOs) vs. Luis Collazo (34-5, 17 KOs)

A win for Ortiz, after a 19-month absence from the ring, likely brings a major money bout later in the year. A win for the slick and cerebral Collazo probably gets him one more shot at a main stage showcase. Given Ortiz's penchant for self-destruction and Collazo's underrated skill set, anything could happen in this one.

Television: Fox Sports 1 / Fox Deportes

Source: Boxrec

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/nine-must-see-fights-january-194800289--box.html