Brandon Rios vs. Mike Alvarado
The first time Brandon Rios and Mike Alvarado stepped into the ring to fight each other was October 13th, 2012. That was the undercard fight of a Nonito Donaire main event, but it definately stole the show. No boxing fan who witnessed that fight will ever forget it. The fight is already talked about as one of the greatest slugfests of all time, and will forever link the two men as Rios-Alvarado, much like the names Gatti-Ward and Corrales-Castillo are synonymous with each other. The first fight was a 10 round non title fight, but to watch each fighter it seemed more like a world championship bout. This time around the fight will be a 12 round title fight, so the fireworks should be explosive.
Rios won their first fight by 7th round TKO when referee Pat Russel jumped in to stop the fight with Alvarado taking severe punishment up against the ropes. Many viewers thought the stoppage was premature, and for this type of fighter maybe it was. This time around Rios hopes the fight goes the same way. Rios is a true warrior, he loves to land power punches, and take just as many. He seems to enjoy the punishment, when he really gets beat up in a round he usually walks to the corner with a huge smile on his face. For Rios boxing is as much about testing his own will and his opponents will then getting the victory. But getting the victory is something Rios has always done. His record is 31-0-1 with 23 knockouts, although he does own a very controversial split decision victory over Richard Abril. Rios wants another slugfest and he wants to prove that the first stoppage wasn't a fluke. He is going to come up throwing vicious punches at a high volume, and hopes the fight takes place in a phone booth much like their first bout. For his part, Alvarado is saying things will be different.
Of the two fighters Alvarado is the better boxer, but that doesn't mean he isn't involved in his fair share of slugfests. This time around Alvarado will make use of his boxing skills rather than stand and trade with Rios. If he can box and move much like Arturo Gatti did in his second fight with Micky Ward, he could cruise to an easy victory. But Alvarado's boxing skills might not even be at the level of Gatti's who was also more of a slugger. Alvarado may start the fight sticking and moving, but that probably won't last long, and a phone booth fight should soon ensue. His record is 33-1 also with 23 knockouts. It seems almost impossible for this fight not to be amazing.
In their first fight Alvarado landed some heavy, heavy power punches on Rios, but none of them seemed to phase him. That was even more shocking considering this was Rios' first fight at junior welterweight. If the second fight resembles the first, Rios should win again by knockout or stoppage. But if Alvarado can stay true to his gameplan and box instead of slug he could pull of the decision victory. But boxing against a fighter who loves to slug and constantly brings pressure is easier said then done. Big time boxing fans should be in for another legendary fight, that cannot be missed.
PREDICTION: Brandon Rios once again stops Alvarado in a great slugfest. This time in the 10th round.
Breidis Prescott vs. Terence Crawford
It seems that HBO really wanted to make March 30th a night of the power punchers. The undercard will be Breidis Prescott taking on late fill-in Terence Crawford. While both fighters are dangerous punchers, it is Prescott who is much more experienced, even though he is only four years older then Crawford.
Prescott is very well known by boxing fans, even though his biggest win came in the U.K. not the U.S.A. That win was a huge 1st round knockout of Amir Khan who was seen as a future pound for pound king at the time. That was until Prescott tested, and destroyed his chin. For those who have not seen it, check it out, Khan legs look like a newborn baby cow unable to stay balanced... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shUqYIkMXu0. Prescott has also been in the ring with Mike Alvarado, Richard Abril, Miguel Vazquez, and Paul McCloskey, so he has a ton of experience against good tough fighters. His fighting style is unique, he throws good combinations and has very quick hands. He is also a very lankey fighter with long arms that enable him to throw punches from awkward angles. His record is 26-4 with 20 knockouts, and one of his losses was a knockout against Alvarado. But Prescott's opponent has not fought any name fighters, and should be in over his head on Saturday night.
This fight will be the biggest of Crawford's young career. If he were to beat Prescott he would have a legit opponent on his resume, and if he looks impressive could have more fights on HBO. But just because he hasn't fought any top flight opponents doesn't mean he can be taking lightly. He is extremely athletic, and has a ton of power. But he seems to rely on that athleticism a little too much and his boxing skills are not uber sharp. His record is 19-0 with a powerful 15 knockouts. But this will be Crawford's first 10 round fight, while Prescott has been 10 rounders for a long time.
If the fight goes deep Prescott has a huge advantage. But with two powerful punchers like this, it is doubtful the fight goes that long. Both men are very athletic so neither has an advantage in that department. In fact these two men are very similar in all categories, exceprience. Prescott has so much more experience that it is hard to not envision him winning.
PREDICTION: Breidis Prescott gets a stoppage in the 10th round.
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