BOXING QUICK HIT PREDICTIONS

What up fight fam! We have ourselves a Saturday full of great fights. Here are my quick hit predictions the fights I'm most excited for. 

Shakur Stevenson vs. Aelio Mesquita

Shakur Stevenson has really impressed me with his great footwork, good hand speed, and ring IQ. He has the composure of a veteran, as he's been at the top of the sport at the Olympic level, and that is carrying over to his pro career. What is also carrying over, are some of his Olympic style, hit and score points mentality. Shakur has 3 TKO's under his belt, he hasn't shown me any elite punching power (yet), and he is stepping up in competition with a tough fighter. I'm sure Top Rank is still being careful with their matchmaking, and this is a fight he should win. That said, I think it will go the distance, and get him some valuable rounds for experience. 

Stevenson UD 

Tyson Fury vs. Sefer Seferi

The easiest fight of the night to predict. Tyson off a long layoff is being fed a fighter in a "look good" fight. Tyson has been active on social media saying he is 100% motivated, and is in great shape. It's hard to take his word on that given the long absence, and the fact that he looked a bit soft at weigh in. However, Tyson is way bigger than his opponent who has been spent his entire career at Cruiserweight. Seferi is tough, but he will be stopped by the bigger man. 

Fury TKO 8

Jermell Charlo Vs. Austin Trout : WBC Light Middleweight Championship Bout

Austin Trout has been in with the best of the best at 154, his biggest win being an upset victory over Miguel Cotto. He often does not get enough credit for his effort against Canelo Alvarez, which in my opinion was much closer than the scorecards indicated. (Even with the knockdown) Trout also has been in with Erislandy Lara and Jermell's twin brother Jermall, giving a spirited effort in both those losses. However, when Austin was in with Jarrett Hurd, he looked good in the beginning stages of the fight, and faded late. Jermell is in his prime, and riding a four fight KO streak. His confidence is sky high after derailing Erickson Lubin's rise to prominence in the division. Trout is always game, but Charlo will just have too much for him tonight, leading to a knockdown, and TKO finish. 

Charlo TKO 6

Jeff Horn vs Terence Crawford : WBO Welterweight Championship Bout

Jeff Horn pulled off a massive upset in his victory over Manny Pacquiao back in July 2017. The decision was quite polarizing, with many feeling he imposed his will on the smaller Pacquiao. His first defense against Gary Corcoran ended with a TKO victory for Jeff, but with Gary looking game landing some decent shots of his own. (I remember getting up hella early to catch this one on ESPN) Terence Crawford, is not Gary Corcoran. Terence Crawford is not a 38 year old Manny Pacquiao. He is highly skilled, with plenty of power to establish respect early in a fight. This will be Crawford's first fight at Welterweight, and it will be interesting to see if his power will come up with him, against the much bigger Horn. There was a little bit of drama at the weigh in when Horn came in half a pound over. He eventually made weight in his second attempt, and blamed scale calibration on his first miss. I see Crawford going to the body early, to see if Horn's weigh in troubles had an effect on his gas tank. Crawford is just too skilled, and will have too much for Horn. Imagine round 9 of Pacquiao - Horn, but for the entire fight. 

Crawford TKO 4

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares : WBA (Super) Featherweight Championship Bout

Santa Cruz and Mares had a war back in 2015, and I expect much of the same. Immediately at the end of their bout, there was a feeling that they would run this one back, and here we are with the rematch. Santa Cruz suffered his first loss since, but exacted revenge on Carl Frampton. Abner Mares was relatively inactive since their 2015 bout, but won his two bouts, including a split decision win against Jesus Cuellar for the WBA (Regular) Featherweight strap. Abner tried to make it rough for Santa Cruz in their first bout, and I see him doing the same in this one. It was a close decision the first time, and now that Abner has a formula to follow for victory I see him pulling this one out setting up a trilogy. 

Mares SD