Telemundo Quick Pick

Valentin and his team after a victory

Sammy Valentin vs. Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez: On Friday night Telemundo will air a fight card headlined by a bout between two fighters with just one loss between them.  The undefeated Sammy Valentin (10-0, 7 KO) will be taking on the one-loss Jesus Alvarez Rodriguez (15-1, 11 KO) in a fight scheduled to go 10 rounds from the welterweight division.  Valentin is an orthodox fighter who likes to let his hands go.  He has fast hands which allow him to throw a snapping jab.  He also has a quick right hand and a very short left hook that can drop an opponent and he carries his power in both hands.  While Valentin hasn't fought any opponents worth mentioning neither had Rodriguez until his most recent fight.  Rodriguez's last opponent was Ruslan Provodnikov and not only did he hand Rodriguez his first career loss but he also knocked him out.  When someone fights Provodnikov they usually leave a big piece of themselves in the ring and Rodriguez hopes that didn't happen to him.  Rodriguez is an orthodox fighter who also has some power and he likes to work behind a busy jab.  He lacks the hands speed of Valentin and at times has shown a nervous energy in the ring.  Behind that jab Rodriguez has a nice right hand and while he does throw a left hook it usually doesn't have much on it.  The key for Valentin in this fight will be to get inside and for Rodriguez it will be to keep Valentin at the end of his jab and right hand.  As long as Valentin can slip the jab of Rodriguez he should be able to do damage from close range and he will win this fight by the way of unanimous decision.