Matchroom goes global this weekend, with shows from Italy, New Zealand and the USA all being held under their banner.
The Italian arm of the operation is in action this Friday at Allianz Cloud, Milan, with continental belts, and a vacant EU title on the line on a busy bill.
Heading the card here is an Italy v Spain clash for the vacant EU Super Middleweight title.
Daniele Scardina (18-0, KO14) was born in Lombardia, but is now based in Miami Beach, Florida, and he returns to the country of his birth to take on Pamplona’s Cesar Nunez (17-2-1, KO9) over twelve rounds.
28-year-old Scardina has globe trotted throughout his career that began in September 2015, boxing in the USA, Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Italy in his fledgling career thus far.
His last three outings have all taken place in Milan, and he first picked up the vacant IBF International strap in March 2019, widely outpointing Henri Kekalainen over ten.
Defending that title just three months later, this time in a tighter points win over Alessandro Goddi, and he was last seen in October 2019, dropping Ilias Achergui in the second round before taking the win on the cards.
Now the Italian goes for a secondary European belt against 35-year-old Nunez, who has lost in decent company when he has had setbacks.
Nunez, who only has one win in his last four starts, was stopped in eight by Vincent Feigenbutz in August 2019, and then crushed inside a round by knockout artist, Edwin Berlanga, four months later.
Nunez was last out in February 2020, stopping Alejandro Mostazo in two back in Spain.
Prediction: Scardina will look to emulate the feats of the two men to stop Nunez by gaining an early victory here, but Nunez is durable in the main, and could stick around here and be competitive.
I think after initially pouring early pressure on, Scardina will have to settle for a wide points win.
Two IBF International title fights head the undercard. At Welterweight, Maxim Prodan (18-0-1, KO14), a Ukrainian based in Milan, defends his belt against Nicola Cristofori (11-2-2, KO1).
Prodan hasn’t been out since October 2019, where he edged past Wales’ Tony Dixon via split decision, but he is heavy handed.
Cristofori has been inactive since September 2019, and he lost his Italian title six months prior in a fifth round stoppage defeat to Emanuele Cavalluci.
Prodan should have too much here, and can stop Cristofori around the halfway mark.
The vacant IBF International strap is up for grabs at Featherweight, where Francesco Grandelli (14-1-1, KO2) and Davide Tassi (11-0, KO5) collide in an Italian Derby.
Grandelli has won ten on the bounce since an early career draw and loss, and he became WBC Silver champion in October 2019 with an impressive split decision win against Reece Bellotti.
He returned a year later with a routine points win over eight. Tassi is unbeaten, but hasn’t fought in anywhere near the class of Grandelli, and Francesco can take a clear win on the cards here.
At Welterweight, Tobia Giuseppe Loriga (32-8-3, KO6) defends his Italian Welterweight title over ten against Nicholas Esposito (13-0, KO5).
Lorga is experienced, but Esposito is the fresher man, and should become the new champion on the scorecards.
