Bute vs Pascal, ShoBox, more: Boxing schedule for Jan. 17-18, 2014

Friday, January 17

HBO / Indigo PPV (CAN), 10:00 pm EST, Ivan Redkach vs Tony Luis, John Thompson vs Frank Galarza. The first ShoBox of 2014 is a promising one, as Redkach-Luis has good action potential, and Thompson is an intriguing prospect as well. Hopefully we can get back to ShoBox being shows like this more often than Mayweather Promotions showcases for guys who honestly don't seem to have real upside. BLH will have live coverage.

Direct TV (ARG), 10:00 pm EST, Marcelino Nicolas Lopez vs TBA.

TyC Sports (ARG), 10:00 pm EST, Javier Maciel vs Adonisio Francisco Reges, Isidro Ranoni Prieto vs Fabio Garrido.

Saturday, January 18

HBO / Indigo PPV (CAN), 10:15 pm EST, Lucian Bute vs Jean Pascal, Mike Perez vs Carlos Takam. The first really major card of 2014 is finally here, as the likely biggest fight in Canadian boxing history is upon us. Pascal (28-2-1, 17 KO) fought in September against George Blades to stay in shape, as this fight was originally scheduled for May before Bute (31-1, 24 KO) postponed. Bute hasn't fought since November 2012 in an iffy win over Denis Grachev, six months after Carl Froch smoked him. The co-feature was originally going to be Eleider Alvarez vs Thomas Oosthuizen, but Oosthuizen pulled out to the surprise of few, and is now a heavyweight bout between Mike Perez and veteran Carlos Takam. BLH will have live coverage.

TyC Sports (ARG), 10:00 pm EST, Monica Silvina Acosta vs Ana Laura Esteche.