Telemundo Quick Pick

Mabait looks to continue his KO streak

Marvin Mabait vs. Alejandro Hernandez: On a busy fight weekend this Friday's Telemundo card will probably get overlooked.  Not that it is going to be a great fight, neither fighter is at the elite level, however it still could provide fans with some fireworks.  The two fighters battling for superiority are Marvin Mabait (19-1-2, 13 KO) and Alejandro Hernandez (26-10-2, 14 KO).  They are scheduled to go 12 rounds in the bantamweight division where Mabait is one of the bigger punchers.  As far as experience goes it is Hernandez with the big advantage.  While Mabait has fought mostly in the Philippines against lackluster competition, Hernandez has fought some of the best including Omar Narvaez and Leo Santa Cruz.  Mabait is likely to remind some big time boxing fans of Nonito Donaire albeit a very watered down version.  Mabait is very active in the ring and has good power like Donaire except the southpaw fighter doesn't have Donaire's hand speed.  Often times Mabait comes in wildly with his punches and he throws them wide which leaves him open to be countered.  Across the ring Hernandez is the crisper puncher who throws shorter shots but he also gets touched up a lot.  The good news for Hernandez is that if he can get on the inside he should be able to counter Mabait all night long.  This fight should be a battle of positioning.  Mabait will look to explode from the outside with power punches while Hernandez will try to get inside the pocket and land sharp counter punches.  Hernandez has lost 10 times but was only stopped in one of those losses and that came at the hands of Leo Santa Cruz.  Mabait has only 1 loss but it came from a 3rd round stoppage so he may be the more vulnerable fighter.  If Mabait can stay on the outside and sharp shoot his power punches he will win this fight.  However I expect the ring experience against much better fighters that Hernandez has faced to really pay off in this fight.  Hernandez will be able to get inside on Mabait and counter his wide punches on his way to a 10th round stoppage.