Issue #69 The Next Generation of Boxing
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This weekend we have a stacked card, one that is being billed as one of the greatest of all time, with 7 championship fights lined up. There have been two changes in the week leading up with two boxers falling ill. Daniel Dubois had to step aside and ?Joseph Parker will now face Martin Bakole, the number 2 boxer in the WBO rankings, and Shakur Stevenson will battle Josh Padley who's ranked number 7 by the WBO. He was scheduled to face Floyd Schofield. The broadcast kicks off at 10am CST Saturday.
Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2 - The Breakdown
By Dan Norman
In the main event we have the rematch of Artur Beterbiev (21-0-0, 20 KO’s) and Dmitry Bivol (23-1-0, 12 KO’s). Beterbiev won in a 115-113, 116-112, 114-114 decision crowning the only four-belt, undisputed champion in light heavyweight history. Bivol has been the only boxer to ever go the distance with Beterbiev so we expect another classic bout on Saturday. Bivol's team felt that they won the first bout but the judges thought otherwise.
Tale of The Tape: Bivol comes in with an age advantage being 6 years younger at 34 years of age. Both boxers fight out of the orthodox stance and have similar height and reach.
Keys to Victory for Beterbiev: Artur has to be actively aggressive early on. He cannot afford to give away rounds. Beterbiev has to do a better job of walking Bivol down and cutting the ring off. It is crucial that Artur attack the body early to take the steam out of Bivol. He needs to finish the fight strong once again as this will be another close fight.
Keys to Victory for Bivol: Dmitry has to be even better conditioned than the last fight. He had many good moments the first time around but he also had some lulls which gave Beterbiev opportunities to score. Now that Bivol has felt the power of Artur, he must stand his ground a bit more in this bout. Bivol should attack with punches in bunches and push Artur backwards and keep him off balance. Sometimes pressure fighters become less effective and can't find any rhythm when they are pushed back. Bivol has to strategically be one step ahead the entire fight and never do one thing too much. Dmitry should box and move and then put punches together to make Artur step back, breaking his forward momentum.
Our Prediction: It will be another close decision. We see Bivol winning by decision by being more versatile with his strategy and having better conditioning.
Beterbiev vs Bivol 2 - Full Fight Card
Keyshawn Davis wins by knockout
Keyshawn Davis (13-0, 9 KO’s, 1 NC) got the TKO in the 4th round, against Denys Berinchyk, at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in New York. He dropped him with a vicious hook to the body, to win the WBO lightweight title.
Davis vs. Berinchyk Fight Card Results
Arnold Barboza Jr. defeats Jack Catterall
Long Beach, CA native Arnold Barboza Jr. (32-0, 11 KO’s) won the interim WBO super lightweight title, by split decision, in a 12 round battle with Jack Catterall (30-2, 13 KO’s). The judges scored it 115-113, 115-113, 113-115.
Catterall vs Barboza Jr. Fight Card Results
Oscar Duarte wins by TKO
Oscar Duarte (29-2-1, 23 KO’s) defeats Miguel Madueno (31-4-0, 28 KO’s) by TKO in the seventh round. Duarte had to make adjustments, as he was scheduled to face Regis Prograis and Madueno was a late replacement. He adjusted well, hurting Madueno in the 4th and seemed to roll over him from there.
Duarte vs Madueno Fight Card Results
Next Weekend - Junto Nakatani vs. David Cuellar
Junto Nakatani, (29-0, 22 KOs), of Japan, faces David Cuellar, (28-0, 18 KOs), of Queretaro, Mexico, on February 24 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The WBO World Bantamweight Title is on the line.
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