ShoBox: The New Generation

Claressa Shields vs. Szilvia Szabados: Avid readers of Big Time Boxing are probably well aware that the blog only covers 10 and 12 round fights that are air on U.S. television.  However, when the most decorated Olympian in U.S. history is scheduled to go six rounds in the main event of a ShoBox: The New Generation card exceptions can be made.  On Friday night on Showtime, two-time Olympic gold medalist Claressa Shields (1-0) will take on Szilvia Szabados (15-8, 6 KO).  Their fight is scheduled for six rounds in the middleweight division and this will make the first time a female fight has headlined a major network card.  The 21-year-old Shields, who keeps her two gold medals in her purse, fights out of the orthodox stance and she has fast hands that compliment her high skill level very well.  Along with her sharp jab Shields has a mean overhand right and her combination punching has been impressive.  Often after she throws the overhand right she will follow it with a short left hook that can catch opponents off guard.  On top of all of that Shields is also the type of fighter who likes to stay in the pocket and mix things up so she should make for TV friendly fights.  Szabados is also an orthodox fighter and the 26-year-old has been very busy since turning pro in 2014.  Szabados also likes to let her hands go but the problem for her is that when she does let them go she usually eats a lot of heavy leather in return.  Szabados doesn't have very fast hands and usually she just pushes out the jab and follows it up with a straight right hand.  There are going to be two problems for Szabados in this fight.  The first is that she has problems with pressure fighters and Shields can definitely apply the pressure.  The second problem for her will be that she is very vulnerable to the right hand and the overhand right is probably Shields' best punch.  Szabados has only been knocked out once but it happened just two fights ago and the second time could come against Shields.  Look for Shields to come out guns blazing in this fight as she looks to put on a show.  Szabados will survive a few early rounds but Shields will stop her in the fourth round to move to 2-0 in her blossoming professional career.


Antonio Nieves vs. Nikolay Potapov: The only 10-round fight scheduled for Friday's ShoBox: The New Generation card will be between Antonio Nieves (17-0-2, 9 KO) and Nikolay Potapov (16-0-1, 8 KO).  Both of these fighters are similar in size and power and both fought to a draw against Stephon Young.  It is one of those fights where one prospects needs to prove he has what it takes to take the next step while the other has to remain where he is.  Nieves is an orthodox fighter who is 2-0-1 with one knockout in his last three fights.  Nieves fights behind a busy jab and does a nice job of always moving his head.  He also carries a very quick straight right hand but he doesn't usually put much on that punch.  Nieves also throws a left hook but not as often as his jab or right hand and that left hook isn't a very good weapon for him.  Nieves would be better off if he varied his attack but he usually comes in straight ahead and its a good thing he does move his head so well because he doesn't use his feet very well.  As for Potapov, he is also an orthodox fighter who has gone 2-0-1 with two knockouts in his last three fights.  Potapov also likes to work behind a quick and busy jab and unlike Nieves he actually throws a solid left hook.  On the inside Potapov will also flash a short right hand and he goes to the body well at times.  This fight is incredibly even on paper and it will probably look the same in the ring.  This fight has draw written all over it but because Potapov has slightly faster hands and does better work with both hands he will win this fight by the way of majority decision.