Adonis Stevenson vs. Sakio Bika
This Saturday afternoon on CBS the lineal light heavyweight champion of the world, Adonis Stevenson, will once again enter the ring. The only problem is that Stevenson won't be entering the ring against fellow light heavyweight titlist, and the man many consider to be the best light heavyweight in the world, Sergey Kovalev. For now that fight will have to wait. Instead Stevenson will face off against veteran Sakio Bika in a 12 round bout for Stevenson's WBC title.
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| Stevenson's last fight didn't last long |
Stevenson, who is a southpaw, is known as a power puncher. While that is true, Stevenson also has plenty of boxing skills. One of his best weapons is his stiff jab that he uses to set up his powerful right hook which he likes to dig to the body. However, his best punch may be his left hand which can end a fight in an instant. Despite being a heavy hitter Stevenson is a patient fighter and will often fight off of his back foot while he looks to set opponents up. The only problem for Stevenson is that his defense isn't top notch and he tends to take rounds off because he gets tired during fights. Hopefully Stevenson isn't overlooking Bika and does what he needs to do to set up a fight with Kovalev.
The only loss Stevenson suffered as a pro came back in 2010 against Darnell Boone and he avenged that loss with a 6th round knockout of Boone in 2013. His biggest win came when he demolished Chad Dawson in the1st round of their 2013 bout. However, since beating Dawson, Stevenson has faced quality fighters but not the one fighter everyone wants him to face, or even Bernard Hopkins for that matter. Still Stevenson has a nice resume and a career record of 25-1 with a very strong 21 knockouts. It will be interesting to see if Stevenson can run his knockout total up to twenty-two against Bika who has never been stopped.
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| Bika doesn't seem to be a fan of the sweet science |
Bika is an orthodox fighter who would be very fun to watch if he wasn't involved in so many clinches. Bika likes to use his jab which is a very good one and he will follow that up with a good short left hook. Bika also always goes to the body well which could be useful against Stevenson who tends to fade in fights. Another punch Bika loves to throw is a wild overhand right which doesn't land often but when it does it is dangerous. Defensively Bika is certainly there to be hit but his rock solid chin helps him eat punches and keep going forward.
Bika has long been a B-level fighter. While he usually beats fighters in his own class when he steps up to A-level fighters like Andre Ward and Joe Calzaghe, he loses. Also, Bika hasn't looked great lately and is 0-1-1 in his last two bouts, both coming against Anthony Dirrell. A win over Stevenson would certainly be the biggest of Bika's career and that career has seen him put together a record of 32-6-3 with 21 knockouts.
It should be interesting to see how Stevenson handles the awkward, bruising style of Bika. Bika is going to look to make this fight sloppy, like he always does, and Stevenson who is the better fighter cannot allow that. Stevenson needs to use his jab early and often to keep Bika at a safe distance and land his power punches so Bika does not want to mix it up. If Bika's chin holds up to the first few tests from Stevenson he could get inside and pound away to Stevenson's body which could certainly make for a long night for Stevenson. While fans certainly want to see a good fight, most are probably rooting for Stevenson so they can see him finally clash with Kovalev.
PREDICTION: Sakio Bika is a good fighter but he is a B-level fighter. Adonis Stevenson may not be a top ten pounf for pound fighter but he is certainly at the A-level. Stevenson won't be able to knock Bika out but he will control the fight and score the unanimous decision victory.
Artur Beterbiev vs. Gabriel Campillo
The co-feature for Saturday afternoon's card will feature one of the hottest prospects in the sport, Artur Beterbiev. Beterbiev is extremely heavy handed and he will be taking on veteran Gabriel Campillo, a skilled boxer, in a bout scheduled to go 12 rounds. The fight will be an IBF light heavyweight title eliminator and is a big bout for the career of both prizefighters.
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| Beterbiev has won all of his fights by KO |
There is a reason that Beterbiev is looked at as one of the best prospects in the sport, and it isn't his up and down jab which is a great weapon for the young fighter. The reason is his destructive power. While Beterbiev does get wild at times, his power is so good that is hasn't mattered. Beterbiev has a deadly left hook and a right hand that can do just as much damage. While he is still rough around the edges and will need to tighten things up going forward, he definitely looks like the real deal.
As a professional Beterbiev has only had seven fights, and he has been perfect in all of them. Beterbiev's pro record is 7-0 and he has won every single one of those bouts with a knockout, usually a very early knockout. In fact, Beterbiev has never gone more than 4 rounds as a pro and it will be interesting to see if Campillo can take him to deeper waters than he has ever been in.
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| Campillo's defense needs to be very tight |
At 36 years old Campillo could be in for a very long afternoon against Beterbiev. He is a southpaw boxer who is not a big puncher, which means he has to rely on movement and a good jab to win fights. Campillo also has a pretty good short right hook, but lack of power might really hurt him in this fight. Because his hands aren't very heavy Campillo may have a hard time earning the respect of Beterbiev who may choose to just walk him down.
One edge Campillo does have is experience. Throughout his career Campillo has faced many solid fighters and good prospects but he has been knocked out three times in his six career losses, one of which came recently against Andrzej Fonfara, who isn't know as a heavy hitter. As a pro Campillo's record stands at 25-6-1 with only 12 knockouts. Another thing to take note of is that Campillo fought Tavoris Cloud and lost a split decision in 2012 and hit the canvas in that fight. That is the same Cloud who Beterbiev destroyed with a 2nd round knockout in 2014.
While the fighter to watch in this bout is certainly Beterbiev the fight will hinge of how Campillo chooses to do battle. If Campillo decides he wants to trade punches with the younger fighter it could be a short night, however, if he uses his long jab and moves enough he could frustrate Beterbiev and then take him to the deep rounds where he has never been before and where anything can happen.
PREDICTION: Gabriel Campillo is a good boxer but he is not slick enough to keep Artur Beterbiev off of him for an entire fight. Beterbiev may start off a little slow but eventually he will start to connect with his power punches and he will finish the fight with a 7th round knockout.
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