HBO PPV Fight Preview (Undercard)

Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Moises Flores

After what seemed like multiple starts and stalls, the fight between Guillermo Rigondeaux and Moises Flores will finally happen on Saturday night.  The fight will act as the co-feature for the Sergey Kovalev and Andre Ward rematch and it could be Rigondeaux's last chance to fight on a major pay-per-view card.  The fight is scheduled to go 12 rounds from the junior featherweight division and Rigondeaux's WBA title will be on the line.  Also on the line with be Rigondeaux's ranking as the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the sport by Big Time Boxing.  

Rigondeaux landing an accurate left hand

Rigondeaux is a 36-year-old southpaw who some believe may actually be older than his listed age.  When it comes to the Cuban school of boxing where defense is paramount Rigondeaux is king.  He can go long stretches of fights without even being touched and although he has been dropped a few times in his career they have usually always been flash knockdowns because he was trying to do too much with his fancy feet.  Rigondeaux is the kind of defensive mastermind that doesn't even need to land a punch to win a round.  However, along with his defensive skills he also has fast hands and he is an incredibly accurate counter puncher.  His best weapon really is his jab but he can also catch opponents with his short left hook.  As far as his left hand goes Rigondeaux can do damage with it in many ways and he is skilled with that hand.

The resume of the Cuban defensive wizard may not jump off the page but that is partly due to the fact that he has had such a hard time getting other top opponents in the ring with him.  His numbers as an amateur are astonishing and he is considered one of, of not the greatest amateur of all-time.  As a professional he has put together a record of 17-0 with 11 knockouts and among his victims are Nonito Donaire, James "Jazza" Dickens, and Joseph Agbeko.  The problem for Rigondeaux has always been excitement.  He typically doesn't bring much of it to the ring since he is so defensive minded and because he is also such an accurate counter puncher many of his opponents are hesitant to even let their hands go.  This could be the last time Rigondeaux finds himself televised on a major pay-per-view card which means this could be the last time he can really make a statement in front of U.S. fans.

Flores landing a stiff jab

Flores is an orthodox fighter who will have a huge 5-inch height advantage over Rigondeaux.  Flores, who hails from Mexico, also packs a bigger punch that his Cuban counterpart.  One thing Flores doesn't do much of is jab.  Instead he likes to work from the inside where he rips left hooks and right hands and he packs a punch with both hands.  However, he will also lean forward which nullifies his height advantage and he doesn't always do a tremendous job of protecting his chin.  Flores does love to bang though and his work rate will be much higher than Rigondeaux's.

Like his opponent, Flores is also an undefeated fighter.  His professional record stands at 25-0 with a solid 17 knockouts but he lacks any real big names on his resume.  His best opponent to date was probably Oscar Escandon who he beat via split decision in 2015 but Escandon is nowhere near the level that Rigondeaux is at.  Beating Rigondeaux would be the biggest win of Flores' career and if he wins impressively it would give his career a nice boost.

The big question entering this fight is whether Flores will finally be the opponent to really attack Rigondeaux.  Most of Rigondeaux's opponents spend a round or two swinging and missing, then get frustrated and tired and don't do much after that.  Hopefully Flores can push the action and really force Rigondeaux to work over the course of all 12 rounds.  Flores does have pretty good power though so if he can catch Rigondeaux clean he could put him down.  As for Rigondeaux, expect him to do what he usually does which is counter punch and frustrate opponents with his elite level defensive skills.

PREDICTION: Unlike most of Guillermo Rigondeaux's opponents Moises Flores won't pack it in and will continue to gun for the win for all 12 rounds.  Effort won't be enough for Flores though because Rigondeaux is just at another level.  Rigondeaux is better defensively, has faster hands, and is the more accurate puncher and he will do what he usually does by winning this fight with a wide unanimous decision.  

Dmitry Bivol vs. Cedric Agnew

One of the other fights on Saturday's HBO pay-per-view card will be a 10-round bout from the light heavyweight division.  The two pugilists in action will be Dmitry Bivol, who many consider to be the future of the light heavyweight division, and Cedric Agnew.  For Bivol this will be a chance to show off his skills on a big stage and for Agnew it is a chance to prove he has enough left and is dangerous enough to get a big fight in the future.

Bivol landing a heavy right hand

Bivol is an orthodox fighter with a classic style and a side of nervous energy.  Everything Bivol throws lands with a thud and it all starts with his jab.  Bivol often follows that jab with a heavy straight right hand and that is a punch that can seriously hurt an opponent.  Along with those weapons Bivol also has a strong left hook and is really dangerous as an offensive fighter.  Defensively the 26-year-old still has room for improvement and when he starts facing better opposition he will need to do a better job of protecting his chin when he's on the attack.  

Bivol has built his record against journeymen and faded veterans but as a top prospect that is how most of their careers begin.  He has stayed busy as of late though, fighting three times in 2016 and twice already in 2017.  Also, he has a knockout win over Samuel Clarkson in his most recent fight.  That is notable because Clarkson beat Agnew via split decision in 2015.  Bivol's career record is a perfect one of 10-0 with a very strong 8 knockouts and he seems to get better and stronger each time he enters the ring.  

Agnew being dropped by Sergey Kovalev

Agnew is a southpaw who doesn't have much power but he is an accurate puncher.  He likes to work behind a quick jab and straight left hand and he does a nice job of putting his punches together even if they aren't landing with a serious thud.  On the inside Agnew also likes to rip a right hook that is a pretty punch but on defense he has some clear flaws.  The first of those flaws is the fact that he often lets his opponent unload before returning fire and he also squares up too much at times.  Against a big puncher like Bivol, Agnew can't just wait for him to stop punching because if he does he might not make it out of the first round.

At 30 years old  Agnew is now more of a gatekeeper than a threat to the top of the light heavyweight division.  His best opponent to date was Sergey Kovalev and Kovalev stopped him in the seventh round after previously dropping him twice in the earlier rounds.  Kovalev is a power puncher and so is Bivol so Agnew may be in over his head.  His career record is 29-2 with 15 knockouts but his best win to date probably came against Yusaf Mack and that isn't saying much.

How well Agnew can stand up to Bivol's power is the main factor in this fight.  Bivol packs some serious pop on his punches and if he starts catching Agnew clean it might be hard for Agnew to go the distance.  What Agnew can't do is let Bivol control the action.  Agnew has quick hands and he needs to get inside of Bivol's power and really let his hands go.  Staying busy and avoiding the big punch is Agnew's best chance at winning this fight while all Bivol really needs to do is be himself.

PREDICTION: Cedric Agnew will be in the gatekeeper role in this fight but Dmitry Bivol is going to bust that gate right open.  Bivol is a serious puncher and he also has some good skills and while Agnew will find some moments of success they won't be sustained as Bivol stops him in the sixth round.

Luis Arias vs. Arif Magomedov

Opening HBO's pay-per-view card on Saturday night will be a couple of prospects in Luis Arias and Arif Magomedov.  Neither man has ever fought a top level fighter and both are still working the way up the ladder which means Saturday's big stage will be a huge opportunity for both men.  The pair are scheduled to go 10 rounds from the middleweight division and both are on the hunt for bigger fights going forward.

Arias raising his hand in victory

Arias is an orthodox fighter who lacks the power he might need as he climbs the ladder of the middleweight division.  He is an accurate puncher though and he usually puts in good work with his jab and straight right hand.  Arias likes to let his hands go and also has a nice left hook and he can sneak in uppercuts from time to time.  Arias also has a good idea of what he wants to do in the ring and he usually likes to push the action which makes him fun to watch.

At 27 years old the time for Arias to really start making moves is now.  He has yet to face any notable opponents and his most recognizable opponent was probably Jorge Silva who he knocked out in the third round of their 2016 fight.  Arias' career record is a perfect 17-0 but he only has 8 knockouts so he is the type of fighter who needs to keep his hands busy to win fights.

Magomedov representing his native Russia

Magomedov is also an orthodox fighter and he is a green prospect at just 24 years old.  While he isn't a huge puncher either he will be the heavier hitter on Saturday night.  Behind a measuring stick jab Magomedov loves to kill the body with left hooks and he will also attack opponents with a heavy right hand.  His style is similar to Arias' in that he likes to come forward and press the action which should make for a fun opening fight.

"The Predator" as Magomedov is known, started his professional career in 2013 and was perfect until losing in 2016 by a wide unanimous decision to an 11-4-1 fighter.  That loss is the lone blemish on his resume and his career record is 18-1 with 11 knockouts.  This will definitely be the biggest fight of Magomedov's career who, like Arias, is yet to fight a top opponent.

This should be a fun fight to start the pay-per-view card.  Both Arias and Magomedov like to let their hands go and they like to come forward so expect plenty of action.  Arias might be a bit more polished but Magomedov hits harder and he attacks the body more often than Arias does.  If this fight turns into a phone booth fight where both men slug it out the heavier punches of Magomedov might be the difference.

PREDICTION: Luis Arias is a good prospect and probably has a bright future but he will face the first setback of his career on Saturday night.  Arif Magomedov does a tremendous job of attacking the body and because he hits harder he will win this very close fight by the way of split decision.