HBO2 Quick Picks

Javier Fortuna vs. Juan Antonio Rodriguez: This Saturday will be an unusual one for HBO boxing.  The network typically puts on fight cards at night, however with two separate fight cards overseas the schedule will change.  While HBO will air afternoon fights from China and London their sister station HBO2 will have some serious action late night.  That card is in Las Vegas and will be headlined by Big Time Boxing's 2013 Knockout of the Year winner Javier Fortuna (24-0-1, 18 KO).  Fortuna will be in the ring against Juan Antonio Rodriguez (26-4, 23 KO) in a 10 round junior lightweight bout.  This fight promises to be all action since both fighters are known as power punchers and both usually look to end fights early.  Fortuna is not only the younger fighter but also the one with the higher ceiling who has a chance to become a star.  Fortuna goes by the nickname "El Abejon" which means "The Bumblebee" but he might as well be called "The Hurricane" because he often fights like one.  At times Fortuna comes forward and throws a ton of lightning fast combinations but at other times he stays on the outside and dances away from danger much like a hurricane suddenly changing its course.  Fortuna is a southpaw with a stay busy jab and a wide right hook he needs to improve on.  His best punch is by far his left hand which if it catches an opponent on the chin turns their lights out.  This will be a big fight for Fortuna who usually fights on ESPN2 and a strong performance could get him a lot of new fans.  Before Fortuna gets those fans those he has to deal with the equally powerful Rodriguez.  Rodriguez might not have the hand speed of Fortuna but he throws the slightly heavier leather and does a tremendous job of cutting off the ring.  Also a southpaw, Rodriguez likes to fight from the pocket and up against the ropes where he can throw crooked punches and land his power.  When the action goes to the center of the ring Rodriguez isn't as impressive because his hand speed isn't great.  This bout probably won't start off very exciting because both fighters will be respecting each others power.  However once the feeling out stage of the right is over the action should really pick up.  This fight comes down to who controls the distance.  Rodriguez will be trying to cut off the ring and keep Fortuna on the ropes while Fortuna will look to keep the fight in the center of the ring and flash his speed.  Because he has the much faster hands I expect Fortuna to get the better of most of the exchanges and win this fight via unanimous decision.  

Luis Rosa vs. Luis Orlando Del Valle: The other fight on the HBO2 card will be a battle for Puerto Rican bragging rights featuring two fighters with only one loss between them.  They are the undefeated Luis Rosa (16-0, 7 KO) and the powerful Luis Orlando Del Valle (18-1, 13 KO).  The two men are scheduled to go 10 rounds in the junior featherweight division.  Rosa, who at 23 years old is 4 years younger than Del Valle brings his perfect record into the ring but hasn't faced a lot of top competition.  He hasn't been fighting bums but most of his fights have come against lackluster opposition and this will be his first time going 10 rounds.  For his part Del Valle also hasn't fought any superstars but has faced tougher veterans and has also been in the ring with the highly underrated Vic Darchinyan, the fighter who handed him his only career loss.  Rosa will enter the ring as the lighter puncher on Saturday night but don't tell him that.  Rosa doesn't fight like your typical small, quick boxer and instead seems to enjoy putting in work at close range in the trenches.  One reason Rosa has been able to find so much success at close range is because he has a rock solid chin and doesn't mind eating a few punches.  That solid chin may let him down once he takes the next step up in competition level and he really needs to improve on his jab which he doesn't throw very often.  Instead Rosa comes forward behind that chin and a high guard.  Rosa's best punch is probably his right hand so look for him to throw that punch often on the inside against Del Valle.  Also an orthodox fighter Del Valle likes to stay in constant motion.  He likes to stick and move and is good about landing a quick one-two and then moving laterally out of danger.  Del Valle also does a good job of turning the tables on an opponent when they have him and the ropes which is something he will need to do against Rosa.  This fight is really up in the air and could easily go either way.  Del Valle should be able to find success with his movement but there Rosa has a relentless style that will eventually wear him down.  I think Rosa will win a very close fight by the way of split decision.