PBC on ESPN Quick Picks

Jamel Herring vs. Denis Shafikov: This Saturday the PBC will return to ESPN.  In the main event of that card the undefeated Jamel Herring (15-0, 8 KO) will put his prefect record on the line against Denis Shafikov (36-2-1, 19 KO).  That fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the lightweight division.  While this could be considered Herring's toughest fight to date Shafikov does resemble some of his recent opponents in that he is good but not great or close to elite.  Herring is a southpaw who will have a 5-inch height advantage over Shafikov.  Herring has pretty quick hands and throws a good jab that could improve.  With that jab he also has an accurate straight left hand and at times he will sneak in a counter right hook.  Herring is still a bit of a mystery but seems like a fighter who does everything pretty well but nothing spectacularly.  Shafikov is also a southpaw and he is a much more aggressive fighter than Herring is.  While his jab isn't great he does carry a solid straight left hand and right hook.  One thing the shorter Shafikov does well is attack the body, something he will need to do against Herring.  In this fight Herring should look to stay on the outside where he can use his height and reach advantage.  Meanwhile for Shafikov he will want to get inside and make this a tough bout as he tries to kill the body.  As long as Herring fights intelligently and keeps Shafikov from consistently getting inside he will win this fight by the way of majority decision.  


Patryk Szymanski vs. Wilky Campfort: The co-feature for Saturday's PBC on ESPN card will also feature another undefeated fighter by the name of Patryk Szymanski (15-0, 9 KO).  Szymanski will be taking on Wilky Campfort (21-2, 12 KO) who is fresh off a loss to Jermall Charlo.  This fight is scheduled to go 10 rounds in the junior middleweight division.  Szymanski can look awkward at times and his hands aren't the fastest.  He fight out of the orthodox stance and he likes to use his jab as a measuring stick for a good straight right hand.  He is the type of fighter who likes to do his work from the outside and he will often use feints to throw opponents off balance.  Campfort is also an orthodox fighter with a crisp jab and straight right hand.  However, on defense Campfort can get overwhelmed at times and Szymanski would be smart to stay on the attack.  For his part Campfort does have the faster hands and he is more experienced than Szymanski but he may lack the power needed to really get Szymanski's respect.  If Szymanski can stay on the outside he will probably be able to frustrate Campfort.  The reason for that is because Szymanski feints a lot which will interrupt the timing of Campfort and once he lulls him to sleep with feints he can start to open up and land heavy punches.  This should be a close, competitive fight but when the scores are read it will be Szymanski who comes away the winner by unanimous decision.