Fredrick Lawson vs. Kevin Bizier: On Saturday night the PBC will return to NBC Sports with a card featuring two title eliminators. The main even of that card will be a 12-round IBF welterweight eliminator between power punching Fredrick Lawson (24-0, 20 KO) and the experienced Kevin Bizier (24-2, 16 KO). Bizier will be Lawson's toughest test to date but he had success the last time he took on a more experienced fighter, beating Breidis Prescott by split decision earlier this year. Bizier hasn't been spectacular as of late, going 2-3 in his last five fights with both losses coming at the hands of Jo Jo Dan, both by the way of split decision. Lawson is an orthodox fighter with a stiff jab and that is a punch he should probably use more than he already does. A big weapon for Lawson is his right hand and he can do damage throwing it as a straight right or over the top. While Lawson definitely has quick reflexes he sometimes relies on them too much and ends up taking clean punches he shouldn't. Bizier is also an orthodox fighter and he likes to rough things up on the inside. Bizier does have a solid jab and straight right hand though so he can find success from the outside. However, he seems to do his best work in close with his right hand. One thing Lawson may be able to take advantage of is the fact that Bizier can get wild at times and leaves himself open for return fire when he does. If Lawson is the caliber of prospect that some seem to think he is than he needs to beat a fighter like Bizier who is tough and skilled but not a top shelf pugilist. This is going to be a close fight and it may come down to who is sharper in the later rounds and that will be Lawson who is 5-years younger than Bizier and he will get the win via majority decision.
Walter Castillo vs. Keita Obara: The co-feature for Saturday's card should be a fun one. It pits Walter Castillo (26-3, 19 KO) up against Japan's Keita Obara (15-1, 14 KO) in a 12-round IBF junior welterweight eliminator. Obara will be making his U.S. debut in this fight and it will also be the first time he has ever fought outside of his native Japan. Look for Obara to put on a show as many other Japanese fighters have done in recent years. While it may not be expected Japanese fighters seem to love to slug it out and always seem to give fans an exciting, and often times blood filled show. If this fight is bloody Castillo hopes that is is Obara spilling that blood. Castillo is an orthodox fighter with solid power and a very good jab. Along with that jab Castillo also throws a solid straight right hand and his left hook is a decent weapon although he doesn't use it very often. When it comes to experience Castillo has the advantage considering he has already fought in the U.S. three times, one of which was a loss to hot prospect Amir Imam. While Obara has never faced an opponent as good as Imam he hasn't lost a fight since 2010 when he was stopped late in the very first bout of his professional career. Obara is also an orthodox fighter but he lacks the high quality jab that Castillo has. What Obara does have is heavier hands than Castillo and he has a strong right hand. Obara uses feints a lot which more fighters should employ but don't and those feints help him set up his power punches like his left hook. This fight could easily go either way but Obara's power will play a role late as he stops Castillo in the 11th round.
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