Josh Taylor vs Ryan Martin
-This is another matchup in the World Boxing Super Series which has become one of the best tournaments to happen in boxing in a long time. Both guys are undefeated although Taylor has fought and beat the better competition even though he has about 8 less fights.
Taylor is a special talent. A guy who can punch but also is extremely quick and athletic and makes moves at times that look like Vasyl Lomachenko. I am really high on him and I believe he will also beat Regis Prograis who he will fight in the tournament next if he gets through this fight. And that is not a knock on Prograis who I also think is a very good young fighter.
Martin is a boxer/puncher whose best win was in his last fight against Breidis Prescott. Prescott is way past the days when he was a feared puncher who knocked out Amir Khan and this win does not say much. Martin is going from fighting a past his prime contender to one of the most talented fighters in boxing today. In comparison Tarylor’s last fight was an impressive unanimous decision win against former champ and once beaten Victor Postol.
Prediction
Martin is a good fighter but Taylor is on another level. There are not many 140 pounders in the world I would pick to beat Taylor at this point. I am not sure if Martin will get stopped though. If he does get stopped it will be from an accumulation, not a one punch KO.
Taylor by wide Unanimous Decision
Nonito Donaire vs Ryan Burnett
WBA Bantamweight Title
-This is also a part of the WBSS tournament and is a very interesting fight. Burnett has an impressive resume but has not looked overly impressive in his biggest wins. Lacks one punch power and seems to just grind out victories but does not seem to do anything special. But, he has become a unified champion and that says something.
Donaire is a big name but whose best days are behind him although he did give a spirited effort in a decision loss to Carl Frampton last year. He is also going from 126 pounds back to 118 pounds and with his punching power this could be a big advantage.
I am very tempted to pick Donaire here, mostly because of the size advantage, the power and the vulnerability of Burnett. I think he does have a punchers chance with his big left hook, which Burnett seems open for. The only reason I am not picking the upset here though is the weight. It seems that going back down to 118 would be an advantage for Donaire but I am not buying it. We have plenty of examples of older fighters who make one last move down in weight for a big fight and it always seems to drain them and they fight flat. Oscar De La Hoya against Pacquaio comes to mind as does Roy Jones jr versus Antonio Tarver in the rematch.
Prediction
Unless Donaire can land a huge shot I expect him to get outworked here and lose a decision. I do not see Burnett stopping him
Burnett by Decision
Saturday November 3 Facebook Live 9 pm Et
Seanie Monaghan vs Sullivan Barrera
-This is a fight that pits a tough grinder who is a big ticket seller in NY in Monaghan against a legit top 10 light heavy with a big time amateur background in Barrera. Monaghan may be able to win at a higher level but it seems whoever is picking his step up fights either doesn’t like him or doesn’t know what he is doing. His first one was against Olympian Marcus Browne who dominated Monaghan and stopped him very early. Now they have Barrera, another guy with a skill set that seems to be a nightmare for the New Yorker. If you are going to step a guy like Monaghan up it needs to be against a slower guy who was not a big time amateur. That is not Barrera. I just hope Monaghan got paid against Browne and is getting paid against Barrera.
Prediction
Barrera by KO
One more fight this weekend is on ESPN+ between Miguel Berchelt vs Micky Roman.
No comments:
Post a Comment