Antonio Tarver vs. Mike Sheppard: It was only last year that Antonio Tarver's life seemingly fell apart. Following a draw against Lateef Kayode, Tarver (29-6, 20 KO) tested positive for steroids and was suspended from boxing for one year, that positive test also ended up costing Tarver his job as an analyst for Showtime. Now 17 months later Tarver will try to reestablish himself as a fighter and personality who can get back to broadcasting in the future. Tarver is set to face off against Mike Sheppard (21-15-1, 9 KO) in a 10 round heavyweight bout, only the second time Tarver will be fighting in the weight class. It is clear by choosing to fight Sheppard that Tarver wanted an easy comeback fight. Sheppard is never in great shape, has no power, and has a horrendous chin, having been knocked out eleven times. To make even clearer how outclassed Sheppard is, his last fight was only scheduled for 4 rounds. Fights like that are usually for fighters making their pro debuts, not one who has been fighting for sixteen years. Tarver should be able to take advantage of Sheppard's lack of skills with his exceptional length and jab. Unless Tarver is completely shot, which he doesn't appear to be, than Sheppard has no chance in this fight. If Sheppard were to even win one round it would come as a shock. Tarver will win this fight very easily mainly do to his speed advantage over Sheppard. Tarver might look a little rusty in the first few rounds but he will start to find his rhythm in the middle rounds and end the fight with a 6th round TKO.
Randy Caballero vs. Jessy Cruz: While Antonio Tarver tries to resurrect his career, prospect Randy Caballero (19-0, 11 KO) hopes to continue his ascent as a young prospect. This time around Caballero will be fighting the slightly outmatched Jessy Cruz (10-5-1, 4 KO) in 10 round, bantamweight bout. It marks Cruz's first ever 10 round fight while Caballero has gone ten already four times in his career. Caballero is an aggressive boxer who goes to work with a steady jabs that allow him to land hooks inside. He also has good defensive ability that will just get better as his career progresses. Cruz on the other hand is more of a "club fighter", a guy who usually doesn't fight out of his home state. "Club fighters" aren't the most skilled of pugilists but come forward and make for a good show which is why they are so often paired with young, slick prospects. One thing Cruz has in his favor is his solid chin. He has never tasted the canvas in a professional fight which is also why he should be a solid opponent for Caballero. If Caballero is able to stop him for the first time ever it should give him a boost of confidence and another small step up the ladder. Caballero's team is bringing him along at a solid pace that should keep him winning in the near future. This fight won't be any different and Caballero will come out on top with an 8th round knockout.
Yusaf Mack vs. Thomas Williams: The other notable fight on Tuesday night is a 10 round matchup in the light heavyweight division between a young unbeaten prospect and a once top fighter coming off back to back losses. The fighter trying to avoid losing three fights in a row is Yusaf Mack (31-6-2, 17 KO). Only one year ago Mack was fighting Carl Froch for the super middleweight championship of the world now he is a light heavyweight fighting the relatively uknown Thomas Williams (14-0, 10 KO). Williams has a perfect record but it has come against no names and without a doubt Mack will be the toughest challenge of his career. If the younger fighter can come out aggressive and move fast he could catch the veteran, Mack by surprise. However Mack has been in numerous type level fights most notably with the aforementioned Froch, Tavoris Cloud, and Glen Johnson. Every time Mack has stepped up he has lost and even worse when he does lose it usually is by the way of knockout. Of his six losses, five of them have been by knockouts. If Williams can show good power against the glass chin of Mack he could knock him out but Mack is an intelligent veteran who should be able to outsmart the younger fighter. I think Mack will get touched up but will be smart enough defensively not to get knocked out and end up winning the fight by the way of split decision.
Randy Caballero vs. Jessy Cruz: While Antonio Tarver tries to resurrect his career, prospect Randy Caballero (19-0, 11 KO) hopes to continue his ascent as a young prospect. This time around Caballero will be fighting the slightly outmatched Jessy Cruz (10-5-1, 4 KO) in 10 round, bantamweight bout. It marks Cruz's first ever 10 round fight while Caballero has gone ten already four times in his career. Caballero is an aggressive boxer who goes to work with a steady jabs that allow him to land hooks inside. He also has good defensive ability that will just get better as his career progresses. Cruz on the other hand is more of a "club fighter", a guy who usually doesn't fight out of his home state. "Club fighters" aren't the most skilled of pugilists but come forward and make for a good show which is why they are so often paired with young, slick prospects. One thing Cruz has in his favor is his solid chin. He has never tasted the canvas in a professional fight which is also why he should be a solid opponent for Caballero. If Caballero is able to stop him for the first time ever it should give him a boost of confidence and another small step up the ladder. Caballero's team is bringing him along at a solid pace that should keep him winning in the near future. This fight won't be any different and Caballero will come out on top with an 8th round knockout.
Yusaf Mack vs. Thomas Williams: The other notable fight on Tuesday night is a 10 round matchup in the light heavyweight division between a young unbeaten prospect and a once top fighter coming off back to back losses. The fighter trying to avoid losing three fights in a row is Yusaf Mack (31-6-2, 17 KO). Only one year ago Mack was fighting Carl Froch for the super middleweight championship of the world now he is a light heavyweight fighting the relatively uknown Thomas Williams (14-0, 10 KO). Williams has a perfect record but it has come against no names and without a doubt Mack will be the toughest challenge of his career. If the younger fighter can come out aggressive and move fast he could catch the veteran, Mack by surprise. However Mack has been in numerous type level fights most notably with the aforementioned Froch, Tavoris Cloud, and Glen Johnson. Every time Mack has stepped up he has lost and even worse when he does lose it usually is by the way of knockout. Of his six losses, five of them have been by knockouts. If Williams can show good power against the glass chin of Mack he could knock him out but Mack is an intelligent veteran who should be able to outsmart the younger fighter. I think Mack will get touched up but will be smart enough defensively not to get knocked out and end up winning the fight by the way of split decision.
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