COMING UP
• Wednesday: Francisco Figueroa vs. Luis Rodriguez, 12 rounds, junior welterweights (9:30 p.m., ESPN2).• Friday: Jhonny Gonzalez vs. Mauricio Pastrana, 10, junior featherweights (8 p.m., Telefutura-Ch. 69).• Friday: Chris Byrd vs. Shaun George, 10, light heavyweights (9 p.m., ESPN2).• Friday: Jose Reyes vs. Noe Bolanos, 12, lightweights (11:30 p.m., Telemundo-Ch. 51).• Saturday: Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Darling Jimenez, 10, super featherweights; Eromosele Albert vs. James Kirkland, 10, middleweights; Richard Gutierrez vs. Alfredo Angulo, 10, junior-middleweights (9:45 p.m., HBO).Although not sanctioned as a title fight, the bout between Arthur Abraham and Edison Miranda on June 21 at Hard Rock Live Arena will have significant appeal.
The fight features two of the best fighters in the 160-168-pound range. As the bout approaches, it is likely to become the most highly anticipated local fight this year.
''This is a can't-miss fight,'' said Leon Margules, executive director of Warriors Boxing, which promotes Miranda and also will co-promote the fight. ``It won't be a title fight, but we will promote it as a special attraction.''
Miranda, a part-time Miami resident, and Abraham are no ring strangers. Now fighting as a super middleweight, Miranda suffered his first professional loss against Abraham in 2006 in Germany. Abraham retained his International Boxing Federation middleweight crown, a title he still holds four defenses later.
The rematch will be fought at a catch weight of 166 pounds.
''Even if he loses, Abraham still keeps his title, and Miranda is fine with that,'' Margules said. ``He just wanted another shot at him.''
In the first fight, Abraham overcame a broken jaw he sustained early in the physical bout and scored a unanimous decision. Miranda moved up to super middleweight the next year and has since won two bouts by knockout.
Tickets go on sale beginning Monday. For information, call 954-985-1155.
LOCAL ANGLE
Three Miami-based fighters will be featured on HBO's Boxing After Dark telecast Saturday night.
In addition to Yuriorkis Gamboa's anticipated HBO debut against Darling Jimenez, Eromosele Albert and Richard Gutierrez will be included in the telecast in their fights in Primm, Nevada.
Albert (21-1, 10 KOs) will face James Kirkland and Gutierrez (24-1, 14 KOs) will fight Alfredo Angulo in junior-middleweight bouts.
''This is another important step of my career,'' said Gamboa, who is 9-0 with eight knockouts since defecting from Cuba in December 2006. ``It is the goal of all fighters to fight on HBO.''
