BOXING ON PRIMETIME NBC TV SATURDAY
Las Vegas, NV– While the Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight that will occur in May is supposed to be the “event” that’ll put boxing back into the mainstream, Premier Boxing Champions, also known as “PBC,” might have a larger effect in the long-term. With professional prizefighting now back on network TV, boxing will be reaching a much larger audience. The question mark here is has Al Haymon been able to secure sponsors? Last Saturday’s show featured no commercials. With the high price tag of these shows he must get a return on his investment. While no one knows specifically where those returns are coming from, Mr. Haymon, a numbers cruncher with a Harvard background, knows what he’s doing.
GARCIA & PETERSON FIGHT AT 143 LBS
DANNY GARCIA (29-0, 17 KOs) VS LAMONT PETERSON (33-2-1, 17 KOs)
Odds:Garcia -300, Peterson +250
Garcia can’t make 140 anymore
Angel Garcia’s kid holds the WBC and WBA 140 lb titles. Peterson is the IBF guy. Instead of unifying the titles as history would suggest, these two will match up at 143. This is the second occasion Peterson has taken part in a non-title affair as the IBF champion in a high profile match-up. He lost against Lucas Matthysse and kept the title. But this time the IBF says if he loses they will strip him.
DANNY IN DIFFERENT STRATOSPHERE?
Garcia is the better puncher with quick hands. Lamont the better infighter. Danny looks to have the better chin, and the 143 lb. catch-weight might rejuvenate the Philly born fighter who had been struggling in his last few fights to make 140. While he doesn’t do anything extraordinary, Danny has shown resilience in tough fights. Peterson has come up short on a couple occasions. A close fight that may go 12 rounds, Garcia should earn the unanimous nod.
QUILLIN CHALLENGES FOR DUMPED WBO BELT
ANDY LEE (34-2, 24 KOs) VS PETER QUILLIN (31-0, 22 KOs)
WBO middleweight (160 lbs.) championship.
Odds: Quillin -500, Lee +430
While Quillin is the challenger to Lee’s WBO belt, he is a big favorite. However Lee has a great chance with his big right hook. Defensively is where “Irish” Andy Lee will have problems. Quillin is a good puncher, mainly a counter puncher. If Lee can’t get Peter to open up and get into exchanges he has no chance to land a knockout blow. Quillin will look to pop shot from the outside, and might win this by a late stoppage or points verdict. He will be cautious of Lee’s power. Expect a tactical contest.
-Kevin Perry