UniMas Quick Pick

Jorge Melendez vs. Richard Gutierrez: If you're a fan of knockouts be sure not to miss this Saturday's UniMas card.  Rising star Felix Verdejo will be on that card but we are here to talk a bout the main event between Jorge Melendez (27-3-1, 26 KO) and Richard Gutierrez (27-12-1, 17 KO).  The two headliners are scheduled to go 10 rounds in the junior middleweight division.  Gutierrez is the much more experienced boxer and has fought with some top talent including; Vanes Martirosyan, Luis Carlos Abregu, Alfredo Angulo, and Joshua Clottey.  However Gutierrez lost all of those fights and is now not much more than a stepping stone for young talent like Melendez.  Melendez is a busy, aggressive fighter with a ton of power.  Melendez is only 25 years old and has lost three times, two of which were by knockout and while that isn't the best sign two of those fights were very early in his professional career and he has vastly improved since then.  Melendez isn't the type of fighter who likes to feel things out from the outside, he likes to fight from the pocket, although not too close to smother his punches.  He has good power in both hands but it is his right hand that is the most lethal and he throws it from everywhere.  While Melendez's chin may be a bigger problem as he faces better competition he shouldn't have to worry too much about it against Gutierrez.  The veteran Gutierrez is 2-8 in his last 10 fights with his only wins coming against an 0-7 fighter and another fighter making his pro debut.  It is unclear if Gutierrez will stand in the pocket and trade with Melendez, it would provide fans with some great action but it would also probably get him knocked out.  Look for Gutierrez to try and box from the outside while also throwing some heavy leather to check the chin of Melendez.  This fight should be a pretty fun showcase fight for Melendez while it lasts, but it won't last very long.  Melendez will win this fight by the way of 8th round stoppage.