Boxing Fulcrum

Felix Verdejo versus Masayoshi Nakatani breakdown

This should be a very competitive fight and one that will show people whether Verdejo is ready for a world title shot or not. Nakatani is tall for a lightweight and has a very good jab which Verdejo will need to get past. I think Verdejo has more power and may be slightly more creative offensively. Verdejo has been knocked out before but hes looked improved since then.

I think Felix Verdejo will find a way to get past Nakatani’s jab and get his own offense off which will lead him to a ten round decision win. Ismael Salas is a great trainer and will have a game plan for Verdejo to get past the jab.

Shakur Stevenson versus Toka Kahn Clary breakdown

This is a solid fight for Stevenson at 130 and should help him get adjusted to the new weight division. Clary is a good fighter who is a step below the world champions and contenders at world level.

I think Stevenson will win a decision by out boxing Clary over ten rounds due to his superior technical skills. Clary will be competitive to an extent but I don’t think he has the skill set to upset a fighter of Stevenson’s caliber especially as Stevenson is expected to be a big star of American boxing in the future.

Jesse Rodriguez versus Saul Juarez breakdown

This is another fairly simple breakdown as while Juarez is a decent name he’s never been a true world level fighter and loses when he steps up in competition as shown by his 12 losses.

I think Jesse Rodriguez will win by decision or late stoppage due to his hand speed and youth. He seems like a future world champion and I expect him to look good in this fight.

Edgar Berlanga versus Ulises Sierra breakdown

This should be another easy fight for Berlanga who really needs to be stepped up against a durable opponent soon. Sierra went the distance in his only defeat but looked like he could get stopped multiple times in that fight. He also doesn’t look like hes come in the best shape for this fight.

I think Berlanga will keep his gimmick going and win by knockout in the first round due to his power and Sierra not being in shape.

Robeisy Ramirez versus Brandon Valdes breakdown

I think this is a good step up for Ramirez but also one he’ll pass. Valds has only lost once in a competitive fight and is young at 22 so isn’t past his prime.

I think Robeisy Ramirez should be able to use the skills from his extensive amateur background to win a decision after eight rounds.

Kieron Conway versus Macaulay McGowan breakdown

This is a solid enough fight but one where Conway’s technical skills should shine through. In recent fights hes been putting together his punches well and shown he has more power than his record suggests. McGowan is coming off what you can only call a beating from a top amateur from Kazakhstan where he didn’t win a second of the fight and shelled up to survive from the opening round. He’s very tough and doesn’t have an ounce of quit in him but coming in at short notice for this fight he may end up being a level or two below Conway.

I think Conway wins a decision or late stoppage due to his better technical skills and recent form which has shown him become a contender in the domestic super welterweight scene. Hopefully McGowan gets more opportunities whether he loses or wins as hes a character and entertaining which is what as a fan I want to see, after all boxing is about entertainment.

Martin Bakole versus Sergey Kuzmin breakdown

This is the best fight on the card and could go either way. I do give Bakole the slight edge due to his recent results and youth however Kuzmin was good amateur who just hasn’t quite taken to the pro’s yet.

I think Martin Bakole will likely be able to win a decision here due to his youth and having home advantage.

Hughie Fury versus Mariusz Wach breakdown

This is a decent fight for Hughie Fury at this stage of his career however not one I want to see on a PPV. Hughie Fury isn’t exactly an exciting fighter and Wach is 40 and past his prime so this could be a very tedious fight. Wach is fairly durable so I don’t see Fury stopping him which means we have to watch ten rounds of Hughie jabbing which is enough to make you gouge your eyes out.

I think Hughie Fury will be able to win a decision because of his jab though it could be a bit more competitive than the bookies suggest.

Lawrence Okolie versus Nikodem Jezewski breakdown

This is a decent fight between two rising Cruiserweight contenders however I expect the actual fight to be horrible to watch. Lawrence Okolie has one of the worst styles to watch in boxing even if it is effective. Nikodem is a solid fighter but probably doesn’t have the tools to deal with Okolies awkward style.

I think Lawrence Okolie will hug his way to a decision or perhaps a late stoppage if Jezewski gets frustrated. I don’t understand why Okolie is allowed to get away with holding constantly but thats the British board of control for you. I’m hoping Jezewski can win as hes the first fighter I’ve ever interviewed and is a good man.

Anthony Joshua versus Kubrat Pulev breakdown

While on paper this looks like it could be a reasonably good fight I think it will be decidedly one sided for a number of reasons.

The first reason is simply that Pulev has looked awful in his last few fights and at the age of 39 is clearly past his prime and just holding on for one last big payday which credit to him hes been able to get. He went life and death with Bogdan Dinu who is in no way a top heavyweight and would likely get stopped in short fashion by most of the top 50 fighters in the heavyweight division.

The second reason is that Joshua is in his prime and is clearly maturing as a fighter so shouldn’t struggle versus an old washed up opponent from the previous era at heavyweight. Pulev is also stylistically made for him as hes not going to move around the ring slipping shots and also doesn’t have the hand speed that Ruiz has.

I think that Joshua will get the stoppage between rounds four and eight as he’ll realize Pulev is there for the taking and hopefully won’t box like he did in the second Ruiz fight. I would be incredibly shocked if Pulev won though it would be quite satisfying as it would be karma for the PPV being £25.