Fox Sports 1 Quick Picks

Alan Sanchez vs. Ed Paredes: Most boxing fans are getting geared up for what should be an action packed tripleheader on HBO this Saturday but fans will also get some action this Thursday on Fox Sports 1.  The main even of that card will be a 10 round welterweight fight between Alan Sanchez (14-3-1, 8 KO) and Ed Paredes (35-4-1, 23 KO).  Neither Sanchez or Paredes will be confused with an A-level fighter and both have lost to the best competition they have faced with Sanchez losing to Luis Collazo and Paredes losing to both Alfonso Gomez and Carlos Molina.  Sanchez is a tall welterweight at 6'1'' and his long arms allow him to box from the outside.  Sanchez is an orthodox boxer and he has a decent jab but you won't see him throw a left hook very often.  A punch he does like is his straight right hand which he looks to counter with.  Sanchez will also throw that right hand like a hook and he can end a fight with that punch.  The problem for Sanchez besides the fact that he isn't a very active puncher is that when he does let his hands go he leaves them low which opens him up to be touched up.  Sanchez isn't the most exciting fighter and he prefers to stick and move on the outside where he can use his height to his advantage.  Paredes is also an orthodox boxer but that is where the similarities between he and Sanchez end.  Paredes like to fight on the inside where he can land his heavy right hand.  He doesn't use his jab all often though and his left hook is awkward but can do some damage.  Where Paredes gets in trouble is on defense, he usually just puts on the earmuffs and waits for his opponent to finish punching before unleashing his own attack.  This fight is a definite contrast of styles so whoever controls the distance should win the fight.  While Paredes might be able to catch Sanchez and hurt him the length and movement of Sanchez should be enough to allow him to outbox Paredes on his way to a majority decision win.


Manuel Avila vs. Jose Luis Araiza: The co-feature of Thursday card will feature two fighters who are at very different places in their careers going head to head for 10 rounds in the junior featherweight division.  Manuel Avila (16-0, 7 KO) is a 22 year old who still hasn't stepped up to face any top opponents and has been facing off against average fighters at best.  Jose Luis Araiza (31-9-1, 22 KO) is a 35 year old who was once a knockout machine, that was until he started facing real opponents.  In Araiza's last ten fights he has gone 2-7-1 and in his nine career losses five have come by the way of knockout.  This fight may not be very competitive and it seems that Araiza is just being used as a veteran stepping stone.  Avila is an orthodox fighter with quick hands and a nice jab that he will often double up.  Avila also has a good right hand and surprising power in his left hook that can stun an opponent.  Avila moves pretty well in the ring but he does have a tendency to stand and trade at times which could get him in trouble as he continues to climb the ladder to better competition.  One advantage that Araiza has in this fight is his experience against top quality fighters.  However he is usually just the opponent in those fights and usually loses like he did against Juan Carlos Payano and Rau'shee Warren.  Araiza isn't the most skilled fighter which may be why he likes to fight at close range.  He is an orthodox fighter who usually throws a lot of punches but he tends to fall in with everything that he throws.  Araiza's left hook comes in wide as does his right hand.  Araiza may try to get inside and rough Avila up but the younger fighter should prevail and end up winning this fight by the way of 7th round knockout.