Fight Preview (November 2nd)

Gennady Golovkin vs. Curtis Stevens

For fans who like knockouts HBO has what you need this Saturday night.  The main event on that night is scheduled to go 12 rounds for the middleweight title and features to very heavy handed fighters.  The fighter bringing the belt into the ring will be Gennady Golovkin and he will be facing off against tough challenger Curtis Stevens.

GGG is a brutal puncher to the head or body

Golovkin will look to continue his winning ways in a year that could finish with him being crowned the 2013 Fighter of the Year.  Golovkin has gone 3-0 this year with all fights ending in a knockout.  Despite his great year there are still some questions surrounding Golovkin, most notably how his chin will stand up against an elite puncher.

Golovkin's fighting style is pretty simple, he comes forward and applies an immense amount of pressure throughout his fights.  He punches equally well to the head and body which is one aspect of his game that makes him so dangerous.  Yet fans still haven't seen how good, or bad for that matter, Golovkin's defense can be.  He has been touched up from time to time so against an equal in the ring he could take some real punishment.  Golovkin's career record is a perfect one of 27-0 with a ridiculous 24 knockouts.  Golovkin's power has been his calling card thus far in his career and he holds one of the highest knockout percentages in the sport.  Come Saturday night the questions about Golovkin's defense should be answered and after this fight big time boxing fans will know just how bright the future will be for him.

Stevens is coming off a 1st round KO

The reason the questions about Golovkin's defense will be answered on Saturday night is because he will be facing the biggest puncher of his career in Stevens.  Stevens is coming off a brutal 1st round knockout of tough veteran Saul Roman, a win that earned him the fight against Golovkin.  Stevens has a record of 25-3 with 18 knockouts and seems to get better every time he enters the ring.

The knock against Stevens is that he hasn't fought anywhere near the talent level of Golvokin, while Golovkin has fought some top fighters.  But besides their resumes their fighting style is also much different.  Golovkin is a calculated killer who throws punches at the perfect times, while Stevens likes to let his hands go even if they aren't connecting with anything.  When Golovkin has his man hurt he calmly dispatches them, on the other hand when Stevens hurts his man he pounces on them like a wild man looking for a big knockout.

The difference in this fight could come down to the mentality of the fighters.  If Stevens buzzes Golovkin and goes in wildly for the knockout he could end up tasting the canvas himself.  For his part Golovkin might need to be slightly busier than usual so that Stevens doesn't steal rounds with his activity.  If Golovkins chin and defense aren't up to snuff this could be an absolute war with big exchanges and a few knockdowns yet if his defense is solid Stevens could be in for a tougher fight than he bargained for.

PREDICTION: Gennady Golovkin's chin will finally be tested and Stevens might buzz him early but the champion will come out the other side the winner via 10th round stoppage.

Mike Perez vs. Magomed Abdusalamov 

The other fight on HBO this Saturday night will feature two fighters most fans, even big time ones, have never heard of.  These two unknowns both had stellar amateur careers and will look to make a big statement to American fans.  The fight will be a 10 round affair in the heavyweight division and the two relatively unknown fighters are Mike Perez and Magomed Abdusalamov who just both happen to be unbeaten. 

Perez represents Cuba and Ireland

Perez is a typical Cuban fighter who does his best to hit but not get hit.  He moves extremely well for a heavyweight, especially defensively.  Perez doesn't have the typical heavyweight defensive stance with his hands held high and tight to the body, instead he keeps his hands relatively low and works behind a stiff jab out of the southpaw stance.  He is reminiscent of an athletic Wladimir Klitschko.  

Perez has a perfect career record of 19-0 with a solid 12 knockouts.  While he hasn't exactly been fighting elite fighters he has been making small strides forward taking on tougher fights each time he enters the ring.  Perez isn't a heavyweight slugger and instead fights like a much smaller, more agile man.  His defense and movement could cause a lot of problems for many heavyweight fighters and could frustrate his opponent come Saturday night.

Abdusalamov has very dangerous power

Abdusalamov is a very different fighter than Perez although they are both southpaws.  While Perez focuses on defense and movement, Abdusalamov focuses on walking his opponent down and landing heavy punches.  Abdusalamov isn't fleet of foot but he makes up for that with massive power.  He holds a perfect record of 18-0 with 18 knockouts but much like Perez he hasn't fought anyone worth noting.  Abdusalamov may not frustrate any opponents with his defense or movement but that doesn't mean he won't destroy them with massive punches.

A common phrase in the world of boxing is that "styles make fights" and that is why this fight is so interesting.  If this fight takes place in the corners and up against the ropes the stronger puncher Abdusalamov should be able to come out on top.  However if this fights takes place in the center of the ring Perez should be able to outbox the bigger, slower Abdusalamov on his way to an easy win.  This fight is very big for both men as a win would catapult them into bigger fights and earn them some American fight fans.  

PREDICTION: This fight reminds me a lot of the bout between Guillermo Rigondeaux and Nonito Donaire, one man is a slick boxer while the other is known more for his punching power.  Much like that fight I expect the slick boxer to come out on top and Mike Perez will win this fight via unanimous decision.