Friday Night Fights Quick Pick

Petr Petrov vs. Gamaliel Diaz: There is only one notable fight on tonight's edition of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights.  That fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the lightweight division and will pit Petr Petrov (35-4-2, 17 KO) against Gamaliel Diaz (38-11-3, 17 KO).  While Diaz hit the height of his career as far as fighting top opponents back in 2005-2008, Petrov has burst onto the scene recently by winning ESPN's Lightweight Boxcino Tournament in 2014.  Petrov was impressive in that tournament and stopped two of his three opponents.  Petrov is an orthodox fighter with a busy jab and a stiff straight right hand.  Petrov will also throw a nice, short left hook that can do damage and he goes to the body well.  Another thing that Petrov does well, which frustrates opponents, is that he moves well in the ring and isn't just a stationary target.  Diaz is also an orthodox fighter and he has been through some tough fights during his eighteen year career.  Diaz doesn't have the fastest hands in the world and he will rely heavily on his right hand, which he throws almost like a hook.  A weapon Diaz doesn't use often is a jab or any straight punches really.  He has also been cut many times and that could play a role against the accurate punching Petrov.  This should be a fairly good fight and while Petrov will control the action he won't blow Diaz out of the water until the later rounds.  Petrov will slowly break Diaz down and win the fight with an 8th round stoppage.