DIAZ & PAULIE IN “LOSER QUITS” BOXING MATCH?
New York, NY– Boxing returns to HBO this Saturday after a two-month absence from the sport with a triple-header on Boxing After Dark. In the main event, Houston native Juan Diaz (34-2, 17 KOs) faces Brooklyn’s Paulie Malignaggi (26-2, 5 KOs) in a 12 round bout to be hosted at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas in front of an expected sold out crowd.
ONCE PROMISING “BABY BULL” LACKING HORNS OF LATE
Diaz (1-2 in his last 3 fights) is coming off a devastating knockout loss to the great Juan Manuel Marquez. Going into this bout, the question is how much did that beating take out of him. Former IBF 140 lb. guy Paulie Malignaggi will be the man standing in front of him looking to get the answer.
PAULIE CAN’T PUNCH MUCH…IF AT ALL
With a very low knockout percentage, most believe Paulie doesn’t have the pop in his shots to seriously damage a tough kid like Diaz. However, against Miguel Cotto, Malignaggi showed he can take it better than he can give it by absorbing violent shots from the heavy punching Puerto Rican. In that fight Paulie displayed tremendous heart and courage going the distance proving that he is no push over and may be tougher then his record suggests.
BOTH HAVE FOUGHT THE BEST AROUND
Having fought world-class opposition, there are only four losses between these two men. Three out of the four fighters who haven beaten them are considered pound for pound elite. Look for a great effort from both combatants in this make or break type situation. Malignaggi has the edge with speed and better defensive boxing skill, but the relentless and non-stop punching flurries of Diaz should prevail and earn him a stoppage around the 9th in a highly entertaining affair.
GHOST ON TRACK FOR FOUR DIVISION TITLE RUN?
The co main event will feature an IBF title go between super featherweights (130 lbs.) champ Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 15 KOs) and Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KOs). Guerrero’s an exciting knockout artist looking to get his second championship in a second weight class, while the champion Klassen desires to score his sixth consecutive knockout and win. Look for an explosive war in this one. Giving Guerrero a slight edge, I see this the Ghost prevailing via TKO 6.
JACOBS IN HBO OPENER
The opening bout showcases another rising star Danny Jacobs (17-0, 15 KOs), best known for fighting twice in a week and making the huge jump from being featured on ESPN ‘Friday Night Fights’ to HBO PPV, will face Contender Season I star Ishe Smith (21-3, 9 KOs), in a ten round televised opener. The importance of this fight and similar controlled aggressive styles should lead to a ten round decision for Jacobs.
John Signorella
Note: John joins the RingTalk.com team after years of he and I talking boxing and music, as JC is a professional drummer.