Boxing Fulcrum

Junto Nakatani versus Angel Acosta breakdown

This is an excellent match up and potentially the best fight of the weekend. Junto Nakatani will make the first defence of his WBO Flyweight world title versus the powerful Acosta. The Puerto Rican puncher is a former world champion at Light flyweight but lost his title by getting stopped in the 12th round somewhat controversially. He couldn’t make the weight anymore afterwards and has now moved up to flyweight where he still seems to be a significant puncher.

Junto Nakatani is a tall southpaw who’s very skilled. He doesn’t have the one punch power of Acosta but overall has the better skillset.

I personally believe Nakatani will win a decision in an entertaining and competitive fight. Acosta has a chance because of his power but will be giving up both height and reach to the young Japanese fighter. If Nakatani can stop Acosta then that would be a big statement and I’d see him as a fighter that could win world titles in multiple weight classes.

Dalton Smith versus Brian Pelaez breakdown

I personally think Dalton Smith is one of the best prospects in the UK right now. He’s progressed quickly to English level and while this is a slight step down in my opinion, it’s still a good fight for his development. Pelaez is better than his record suggests and has provided a tough test for multiple prospects. I don’t think he’ll be as effective in this though as hes moving up to Super Lightweight where he’ll be undersized.

Dalton Smith should be able to break Pelaez down in four or five rounds and force a stoppage. In the end he’ll just be to big and to skilled for Pelaez who while game, just doesn’t have the tools to beat Smith.

Jose Armando Resendiz versus Marcos Hernandez breakdown

This should be a very competitive fight as Resendiz is still very raw as a fighter while Hernandez has a lot of experience and has upset prospects before. Resendiz has decent power but needs to learn how to set it up better and generally improve. Hernandez is tough and has some skills but gets beaten by the better prospects.

I think after a competitive fight Resendiz will win a decision due to landing the more eye catching punches and also being the prospect which may effect how the judges view the fight.

Jesus Alejandro Ramos versus Brian Mendoza breakdown

This is a good step up fight for Ramos who is one of the best young prospects on the planet. He’s got power and decent skills to back that up but obviously still needs to work on managing the rounds. Brian Mendoza is a decent domestic super welterweight in America.

I think this fight could be competitive at times but Ramos should be able to land the more damaging punches due to his power and win a decision. Mendoza will likely do better than people expect.

Rentaro Kimura versus Yoji Saito breakdown

This should be a good fight between fast rising prospect Kimura and domestic contender Saito. Kimura is a powerful and skilled southpaw who had a good amateur career. Saito is a tough fighter with some power but doesn’t have the skill set of Kimura.

I think this fight will be competitive but in the end Kimura will provide the clearer work and win a decision. I expect the later the fight goes the better Kimura does as well.

Ebanie Bridges versus Mailys Gangloff breakdown

This should be a fun fight as both are come forward fighters that care less about defence than offence. Bridges is the bigger puncher and has shown real grit in her career. Gangloff is tough but not quite as powerful as Bridges, also isn’t as crisp with her punches.

I think Bridges will win by knockout in the sixth round after breaking Gangloff down who doesn’t have the best defence.

Hopey Price versus Zahid Hussain breakdown

This is a decent step up for Hopey Price who is being moved very quickly. I didn’t expect Price to be moved so quickly but I think hes taking advantage of the pandemic and volunteering for harder fights to get on cards. Price is very tall for the weight and uses his height and reach well. He’s good technically and while his defence may let him down later on in his career I don’t think it’ll be an issue in this fight. Zahid Hussain isn’t a bad fighter but isn’t as technically good as Price and lacks any real power.

I think Hopey Price will land a big counter and stop Hussain in the seventh round.

Conor Benn versus Adrian Granados breakdown

This fight looks better on paper than it will in the ring in my opinion. Benn is on the rise and has looked great in his recent fights while Granados has been on a noticeable decline in recent years. Granados has had a hard career and is an old 32.

I expect Conor Benn to overwhelm Granados early due to his offensive ability and the fact that Granados has slowed enough that hes very open to getting hit.

Katie Taylor versus Jennifer Han breakdown

Katie Taylor is making a defence of her undisputed lightweight crown against former featherweight champion Jennifer Han. Katie Taylor has been on an impressive run and is clearly the more skilled fighter in this match up. Jennifer Han hasn’t fought since early 2020 and isn’t a lightweight. She’s also only had one fight since 2018 and that was a six rounder, not good preparation for the biggest fight of her career.

This fight will be fairly one sided in my opinion, Katie Taylor should win on points with no issues though could force a stoppage if she goes for it.

Jovanni Straffon versus Maxi Hughes breakdown

This is an excellent fight between two fighters on good runs of form. Maxi Hughes has revived his career and finally got the big wins he was so close to in the past. Straffon came over to the UK and stopped big punching James Tennyson in the first round.

Jovanni Straffon will come forward and apply pressure while Hughes will attempt to out-box him from the outside. I think Straffon will be able to find Hughes with his punches and it all depends on how well Hughes can take them. If he can take Straffon’s body punches then he could win a decision by out-boxing him. If he can’t then I see this fight going the same way his fight with Sam Bowen did, where he was eventually broken down and stopped.

I personally think the second option is more likely as Straffon is the first puncher Hughes has faced since he started his recent good form. Hughes will do well early on but will get broken down by Straffon’s body work and get stopped in the eight or ninth round.