Peter Quillin vs. Michael Zerafa: This year has not been a very good one for Peter Quillin (30-0-1, 22 KO). First he turns down a career high payday for reasons that still don't make much sense, then he fought to a disappointing draw with Andy Lee that saw both fighters taste the canvas. Quillin hopes to turn things around on Friday when he takes on Michael Zerafa (17-1, 9 KO) in a 12-round middleweight bout on NBC. Think of this entire PBC card on Saturday afternoon as an appetizer for the Floyd Mayweather main course later that night. Quillin hasn't been very busy lately, fighting only once in 2014 and this will only be his second fight of 2015. Unfortunately Zerafa isn't the opponent most people want to see Quillin challenge, that fighter is fellow Brooklyn based middleweight Daniel Jacobs. In fact most fans have probably never even heard of Zerafa who, outside of one fight, has always plied his trade in his native Australia. That one fight, which took place in Russia was Zerafa's lone loss. Qullin is an orthodox fighter with plenty of power. His best punch is probably his straight right hand but his left hook has some pop on it as well. Problems for Qullin start with the fact that his jab isn't great and he isn't a high volume puncher. Basically what Quillin likes to do is stay patient while he looks to set up his power punches, but he needs everything to be perfect before he lets his hands go. Also, defense still remains a question for Qullin who isn't bad defensively but he isn't great either. Zerafa is also an orthodox fighter but he lacks the power that Qullin has. The jab from Zerafa isn't something Quillin will have to worry about, but what is, is a nice awkward looking uppercut he throws with his left hand from distance. Along with that uppercut Zerafa has a decent left hook with a wild right hand, but when he straightens the right hand out it is a dangerous punch. Here is the problem for Zerafa, he will be making his U.S. debut against a power puncher who won't have to worry about much return fire. Zerafa may look decent for the first few rounds but that won't last long and Quillin will win this fight by the way of 7th round stoppage.
Cornelius "K9" Bundrage vs. Jermall Charlo: Saturday afternoon will be sink or swim time for prospect Jermall Charlo (21-0, 16 KO). That may seem like a strange statement considering Charlo is undefeated and still only 25 years old but Cornelius "K9" Bundrage (34-5, 19 KO) will be by far the best opponent he has faced. The fight is scheduled to go 12 rounds in the junior middleweight division and Bundrages IBF strap will be on the line. Yes, Charlo is fighting for a title which should put him at contender status but he has never really faced any notable professionals so to some he still remains a prospect. Bundrage on the other hand has been fighting professionally since 1995 and has taken on a number of quality opponents. Bundrage won his most recent title in Mexico from Carlos Molina in a fight that was never really close. Now at 42 years old Bundrage hopes to keep his title and stay in the mix for high profile fights in the junior middleweight division. Bundrage fights out of the orthodox stance and his best punch is his short straight right hand, a punch that floored Molina twice in their fight. Like a lot of fighter, Bundrage likes to keep his lead hand low and jab from his hip. But while some fighters are still able to throw stiff jabs from down low, Bundrage throws a lazy one at times. His left hook isn't a great weapon at this point and he wins fights now mostly from his right hand and ability to make opponents miss, even if he isn't exceptionally pretty doing it. Charlo also fights out of the orthodox stance and he will have much fresher legs considering he is 17 years younger than Bundrage. Jermall is the more powerful Charlo brother while Jermell is know as a better boxer but that doesn't mean Charlo will just be looking for the homerun against Bundrage. Charlo has a solid jab that he lands well from the outside and he also has quick reflexes. Offensively Charlo has plenty of weapons, most notable a strong left hook and stiff right hand. However, his chin has never really been tested and Bundrage will be his first legit test as a pro. There is a chance that Charlo simply isn't ready for a fighter at the level of Bundrage but if he isn't it would really hurt his career. If Charlo is going to prove he has the goods to fight the best he will need to prove it first against Bundrage, and he will by the way of unanimous decision.
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