Evgeny Gradovich vs. Billy Dib
It was only 8 months ago when featherweight title holder Billy Dib entered the ring against Evgeny Gradovich. Dib was the favorite in that fight but left the ring without his title belt. Gradovich made his name with that fight while many questions were raised about Dib. Now with the featherweight title rematch only days away, the favorite, Gradovich will try to do what Dib couldn't, keep his title belt.
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| Gradovich made Dib look slow in their 1st bout |
When fans tuned into the first fight between Gradovich and Dib most of them expected Dib to win pretty easily. That is because Gradovich was a relative unknown at the time who hadn't fought anyone worth mentioning. Many people thought Dib would simply outclass Gradovich, that was until the fight started and everyone learned why Gradovich is known as the "Russian Mexican."
Gradovich pressured Dib early and often and was able to make the title holder look very uncomfortable. Gradovich constantly got inside on Dib and made good use of his power punches. One thing Gradovich will never be accused of is being a slick boxer, he hardly ever uses a jab and doesn't like to throw punches from the outside. Something else he rarely does is make use of any lateral movement, Gradovich comes straight ahead all the time. While his defense isn't spectacular it is good enough to keep him on his feet. Gradovich has a perfect record of 17-0 with 8 wins coming by the way of knockout and if he can make this rematch another phone booth fight he should be able to earn win number 18. If Dib wants to avoid being beaten by Gradovich twice he will need to do his best to make this a boxing match instead of a brawl.
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| Dib hopes to win his belt back |
In the first fight Dib was bullied into a phone booth fight that saw him pinned in the corners by the more aggressive Gradovich. In their second fight Dib needs to use his footwork to stick and move and avoid letting Gradovich set his feet and throw power punches. One reason Dib may have been goaded into a brawl is because in his two previous fights in the United States he did not look impressive and he left some fans saying he "ran to much." In an effort to prove people wrong Dib may have beaten himself.
Between Dib and Gradovich it is Dib who has the superior defense. While it isn't anywhere near the level of a Floyd Mayweather he does move around the ring well and his head movement keeps him from taking any dangerous punches. Dib's career record is 36-2 with 21 knockouts and he will need to go back to his old ways if he wants to beat Gradovich. Dib is at his best in the center of the ring where he can let his hand speed and combinations shine. Dib will need to start the fight off fast, especially with his jab, and be physical with Gradovich so the "Russian Mexican" isn't able to keep him in the corners where he can pound away at him.
This fight should start off pretty fast since both fighters know what to expect from the other. Their first fight wasn't anything special but the rematch should provide fans with a better show. It's pretty simple of Gradovich fights like he did in the first fight he will win. If the fight takes place up against the ropes and in the corners than Dib has no chance to win. Gradovich may not have the high knockout numbers but he throws vicious punches with bad intentions and could do damage to a slow Dib. However if Dib comes out and is able to flash not only his hand speed but also his foot speed he could make it a long night for Gradovich. Dib needs to stay focused on keeping this fight in the center of the ring and varying his attack as to not let Gradovich cut off the ring. However this fight plays out it is almost certain it will be more entertaining than their first fight and that is something fans can be thankful for.
PREDICTION: In their next fights after facing each other Evgeny Gradovich looked perfect while Billy Dib won a close majority decision and that seems to echo how their career are going. Gradovich is the fighter on the rise and he will be able to beat Dib for the second time. Gradovich will win this fight via unanimous decision.
Andy Ruiz Jr. vs. Tor Hamer
It's no secret that the heavyweight division is the most popular among casual boxing fans. With so many casual fans sure to tune in to watch Manny Pacquiao take on Brandon Rios it is the perfect chance for a heavyweight prospect to shine on the undercard. That prospect is Andy Ruiz Jr. who will be fighting 10 rounds for only the second time of his career. This time around Ruiz Jr. will be facing tough challenger Tor Hamer.
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| Ruiz Jr. is a slick boxer for a heavyweight |
The fighter to watch in this bout is without a doubt Ruiz Jr.. He is built in a similar physical fashion to Chris Arreola, he is heavy and sloppy. However that doesn't stop him from being one of the slickest boxers in the heavyweight division. Ruiz Jr. likes to pressure his opponents but he does it intelligently, he comes forward behind a tight guard and quick head movement. Another aspect of Ruiz Jr.'s attack is the fact that he changes it up so well. Sometimes Ruiz Jr. will come in behind a stiff jab to the chest or body but other times he comes in more fiercely with a strong left hook and right hand. As good as Ruiz Jr. has looked, it has come against lackluster opponents which leaves room for some questions of how good he can be.
So far Ruiz Jr. is a perfect fighter with a record of 20-0 with 14 knockouts but Hamer will be his toughest foe yet. Even if Ruiz Jr. will be taking a step up in competition he should remain effective because he works so well in the center of the ring or against the ropes. Ruiz Jr. has good power especially on his combinations but questions remain about his chin. However Hamer isn't the biggest puncher in the sport so Ruiz Jr.'s chin should be able to hold up.
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| Does Hamer have enough to pull off the upset? |
Since Hamer doesn't have one punch knockout power he will need to try to bully and outbox Ruiz Jr. It's funny that Ruiz Jr. looks so out of shape but fights like a smaller man, throwing good, fast combinations while Hamer always enters the ring on top shape but has slower hands and usually throws single punches. Hamer seems to need everything set up perfectly to his liking before he unleashes a combination. He likes to come in behind a jab but his jab isn't overly impressive and in this fight he will need to throw more combinations more often than he usually does.
Hamer is a solid fighter but at 30 years old he is more of a stepping stone than a legitimate heavyweight contender. His career record is 21-2 with 14 knockouts but like Ruiz Jr., his list of opponents isn't impressing anyone. His highest profile fight came against Vyacheslav Glazkov in 2012 and Glazkov stopped him in the 4th round. That fight showed Hamer has an alright chin but he can get rattled badly even if he doesn't hit the deck. Against Ruiz Jr. he will need to work the body early and often and try to break down Ruiz Jr. over the course of the fight.
If Ruiz Jr. wants to gain more attention both in the United States and his native Mexico he will need to look impressive on this big PPV event. A masterful performance or exciting knockout from Ruiz Jr. will go along way in attracted more fans and more opportunities to fight on television. Hopefully a confident Hamer steps in the ring looking to win and not just act as a launch pad for a young prospect. Hamer needs to be busier than usual if he wants to upset Ruiz Jr. and gain some attention for himself.
PREDICTION: This should be a solid heavyweight fight, especially for Andy Ruiz Jr.. Hamer has only been knocked out once in his career but this fight should make number two. Ruiz Jr. will look great in his 4th fight of 2013 and end this one by the way of 6th round knockout.
Zou Shiming vs. Juan Toscano
It seems like you can't have a fight in Macau, China unless former Olympic Gold Medalist and Chinese superstar Zou Shiming is involved. In his third professional bout he will be taking on Mexican flyweight Juan Toscano in a 6 round affair. Unlike fellow Olympian Vasyl Lomachenko whose first fight as a pro was a 10 rounder, Shiming is taking things slowly.
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| Shiming needs to step up if he wants U.S. fans |
Shiming is already 32 years old and if he ever wants to win a world title he needs to move past these 6 round fights and start facing tougher challengers in 10 round bouts. Shiming is 2-0 so far in his career but hasn't not either fighter out and doesn't look like he has much power. He fights in a very similar fashion to Manny Pacquiao and Sergio Martinez in that he keeps his hand low, sticks his head out, and moves in and out very quickly. Shiming has a good jab but his real talent shines through when he flashes his blazing hand speed with good combinations. Right now Shiming is being put in front of fighters who his promoter, Bob Arum, thinks he can beat and look good against. While Shiming has won his first two pro fights he hasn't exactly dazzled and has left many fans wondering if he can ever fight for a title, let alone win one.
His opponent for this fight, Toscano is just being used to make Shiming look good. Toscano needs to realize that he is being used to showcase another fighter and use it as motivation. Toscano is 4-0 but only has 1 knockout which is another reason he will be fighting Shiming. If Toscano had real one punch knockout ability you can bet Arum wouldn't have put him in the ring with Shiming. Shiming's last opponent, Jesus Ortega was only ably to win one round but he did it by bein agressive and Toscano should take a page out of that playbook. He needs to pounce on Shiming from the opening bell and test his chin early. Shiming can be hit and doesn't seem to handle it amazingly so Tosano's best shot at the win is by early knockout.
This is simply a showcase for Shiming. Thus far in his young professional career he hasn't looked great or all that exciting and that needs to change quickly. Arum will have no problem selling out arenas in China when Shiming fights, but if the promoter wants to make him an international star, Shiming needs to start looking better, and a few knockouts wouldn't hurt either.
PREDICTION: Zou Shiming is going to win this fight fairly easily. Toscano may win one or two rounds early but that will be all. Shiming won't score the knockout but he will once again win with a unanimous decision.
Felix Verdejo vs. Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan
Another 6 round fight that will be televised on the undercard is also a showcase fight. It will be a 6 rounder in the junior lightweight division and unlike Zou Shiming who hasn't look overly impressive the fighter being showcased in this fight always impresses, Felix Verdejo. He will be taking on little known Taiwanese boxer Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan.
Verdejo was a very good amateur fighter going to the Olympics in 2012. Verdejo does everything well, he has solid defense, and moves well both in and out and laterally. Verdejo is also highly skilled offensively showing fast hands and blazing combinations. One of the things that has made Verdejo so exciting so far is his power, his record is 8-0 and 6 of those wins have come from the knockout.
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| Verdejo is an elite talent |
Verdejo has fought 7 times this year so he isn't being brought along slowly. While his competition level is weak as expected at this point in his career he always look impressive just as he should. If Verdejo keeps this pace up he couldn't be gaining a lot of attention and fans very soon. Verdejos toughest test so far should come in China when he enters the ring against Duanaaymukdahan.
Duanaaymukdahan is 8-1 but has only scored 1 knockout. He has only ever fought in his native Taiwan and this big of an event could prove to be overwhelming for him. Much like Toscano must do against Shiming, Duanaaymukdahan needs to take offense to the fact that he is being used to showcase a more talented fighter and use it to motivate himself. However even a highly motivated Duanaaymukdahan will probably be no match for Verdejo.
It would come as a shock if Verdejo didn't look spectacular in this fight. He looks like he will be a star in the near future and his promotional team isn't going to do anything to ruin that at this point in his young career. Duanaaymukdahan will do his best to outbox Verdejo but the problem with that is the fact that Verdejo is an excellent boxer and has power. Don't bet on this fight going the distance.
PREDICTION: Felix Verdejo will win this fight and like always, look impressive doing so. Verdejo will come out fast looking to outbox Petchsamuthr Duanaaymukdahan and will finish him via 4 round knockout.
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