ESPN sets up first batch of Friday Night Fights events for 2010

Though as always, cards are subject to change, ESPN2's Friday Night Fights will kick off its first batch of fights for 2010 on January 8, and many main events are already set.

January 8: Roman Karmazin v. Dionisio Miranda

In an IBF middleweight title eliminator, former 154-pound titlist Roman Karmazin (39-3-1, 25 KO) faces powerful but chinny Dionisio Miranda (20-4-2, 18 KO). Miranda was last seen by most getting knocked out clean in two rounds by Giovanni Lorenzo on Showtime last February. Karmazin, meanwhile, was last seen by most shockingly stopped in 10 by Alex Bunema on the Jones-Trinidad undercard in January 2008. Since then he's gone 3-0, including wins over Bronco McKart and the zombie of Antwun Echols' career.

January 15: Fernando Beltran Jr. v. Tomas Villa

A minor featherweight title will be on the line when Beltran (33-3-1, 18 KO) meets Villa (21-6-4, 14 KO) in Texas. Villa was the other half of the November 2008 classic war with Rogers Mtagwa in Tucson. He's fought just once since then, beating a can in October of this year. American junior middleweight prospect Demetrius Andrade is scheduled for the undercard.

January 29: Jesse Brinkley v. Curtis Stevens

Brinkley (34-5, 22 KO) will have home court advantage in Reno against Stevens (21-2, 15 KO). Brinkley had a nice 2009, beating Reno rival Joey Gilbert and gutsy Mike Paschall. Stevens has been on a tear since losing that infamous HBO-televised stinkbomb against Andre Dirrell in 2008, winning four fights in a row, including a third round TKO of previously unbeaten Piotr Wilczewski. Welterweight prospect Raymond Serrano is scheduled for the undercard.

February 5: Joey Hernandez v. Ed Paredes

These two went to a draw in August in Miami, and the rematch headlines ESPN2's return to the city. Featured on the undercard will be Cuban super prospect Guillermo Rigondeaux, which is probably the more interesting event of the night.

February 12: Ji-Hoon Kim v. Tyrone Harris

Former Korean featherweight champ Kim (19-5, 16 KO) was last seen by most in the States stopping Koba Gogoladze in one round on an ESPN2 show in May 2008. Harris (24-5, 16 KO) shocked Gary Shaw prospect Marvin Quintero in July of this year. Russian 140-pound prospect (and one of my personal favorite prospects) Ruslan Provodnikov (14-0, 9 KO) meets Aris Ambriz (13-0, 8 KO) on the undercard.

February 19: Fernando Guerrero v. Jesus Gonzales

Another BLH favorite, Fernarndo Guerrero (16-0, 13 KO) will meet Jesus Gonzales (24-1, 13 KO) in Cleveland. Right now, Guerrero has a December 18 Shobox fight scheduled in Minnesota. Also fighting on both cards is Shawn Porter (11-0, 9 KO). In February, he's scheduled to face Damian Frias (16-2, 7 KO), who was less than impressive losing to Freddy Hernandez in October.