On Saturday, December 10, 2016, Argentine powerhouse Jesus Cuellar puts his 126-pound WBA world title on the line against former three-division champion Abner Mares.
As good as Cuellar vs. Mares will be, the co-main event has a good shot at stealing the show with Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) risking his 154-pound crown against unbeaten No. 1 contender Julian Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs).
The action-packed fight card from the Galen Center on the University of Southern California campus in Los Angeles will be air live on Showtime and be presented in association with Premier Boxing Champions.
Read on for staff predictions for Cuellar vs. Mares and Charlo vs. Williams and let us know who you think will win.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Jermall Charlo vs. Julian Williams
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
I think this is an evenly matched fight, a fight between two of the brightest talents in the 154-pound division, with a major belt on the line.
Both Jermall Charlo and Julian Williams are slick boxers, both carry respectful power, and both are good movers in the ring. It is really hard to pick a winner, so I foresee a close fight, with the winner grabbing the win by a round or two, meaning a lot of people will be split on who won.
Because of that, I’m going to go out on a whim and predict a draw.
Prediction: Draw
Robert Contreras, Staff Writer
This Junior Middleweight class is scary good. Thankfully they’re finally fighting each other. Julian Williams talks a big game, and the kid can put punches together, but this half of the Charlo twins has nasty pop in his gloves and is an athletic freak.
Toss-up match, but leaning strongly towards Jermall Charlo.
Prediction: Charlo
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
When Julian “J-Rock” Williams steps in the ring with Jermall Charlo, fireworks will ensue.
Both fighters have mouthed off before, but all will be put on the line when they step in the ring. I have Charlo winning in stunning fashion.
He has knocked out eight of his last 10 opponents and he seems to be more determined than ever to make sure Williams is no different. I see Charlo winning by late TKO.
Prediction: Charlo
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Charlo
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
It’s easy to appreciate the freshly minted Super Welterweight champion Jermall Charlo (24-0, 18 KOs) for taking on the young, hungry challenger Julian “J Rock” Williams (22-0-1, 14 KOs) in the third defense of his title.
Both fighters are coming in with something to prove. Charlo wants to be the dominant champion who produces exciting fights with his willingness to exchange and slashing combinations, while J Rock wants to further the reputation of Philadelphia proud pugilists and bring another belt back to his city.
This fight might just be the best fight of the weekend. Expect both fighters to box in an aggressive, albeit disciplined, fashion for the first several rounds but around Round 4 a fight will break out with the combatants taking turns as the aggressor.
As the fight progresses we will see some exciting moments when they both turn it on and become involved in some furious exchanges that will have the crowd on its feet.
In a very entertaining scrap, Charlo will retain the championship with the referee rescuing a game Williams in Round 9.
Prediction: Williams
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Julian Williams is a skilled fighter content with out-boxing his opponent, maintaining distance, and frustrating them. Jermall Charlo has shown the capacity to be a power puncher at times, though he’s paced and content with boxing as well.
This has the potential to be exciting or a total snooze fest based on their skill sets. I think Charlo’s experience gives him the edge here, and based on Williams mindset of being easily content with boxing on the outside, I doubt he takes the fight to the champ.
Either way it is a good test for “J-Rock,” but I think this is a successful defense for Charlo.
Prediction: Charlo
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Jermall Charlo and Julian Williams have been throwing verbal blows for quite some time so it’s exciting to see that they’re finally going to go at it in the ring.
This fight, which features two legitimate power punchers, will certainly catipult the winner towards the top of the 154-pound division.
Charlo has the better resume, and although Williams is a dangerous and undefeated contender, this may not be Charlo’s toughest fight when it’s all said and done.
I like Charlo’s superior technique and experience to lead him to victory.
Prediction: Charlo
Jesus Cuellar vs. Abner Mares
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
I see this being a battle of attrition, with some sweet inside fighting, and back-and-forth action. I don’t believe Jesus Cuellar’s power is as formidable as his record suggests, so I do not see an early knockout from him.
Instead, I see a competitive fight, with both fighters bringing it. As a result, I think it will go the distance, and it may come down to a round or two, but I believe Mares is the more refined, and experienced fighter.
Thus, I think that will come into play as the fight reaches the latter stages, so I say Mares via a tight decision win.
Prediction: Mares
Robert Contreras, Staff Writer
Abner Mares knows how to win big fights… under 126 pounds.
The former pound-for-pound claimant never fully acclimated to the Featherweight class, but did turn in a tear-up with SoCal rival Leo Santa Cruz.
Cuellar is a sizable Featherweight too. He’s banging ability will overwhelm Mares.
Prediction: Cuellar
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
I’m rooting for Abner Mares in his upcoming bout against Jesus Andres Cuellar, but I cannot see him coming away with a victory.
Mares hasn’t been in the ring in over a year, and he returns by fighting a man with more power, more size and a better record than him and I don’t see the night ending well for Mares.
I say Cuellar by either late stoppage or UD.
Prediction: Cuellar
Alan Garcia, Staff Writer
Abner Mares’ style of fighting is a come-forward style being the aggressive brawler. A great recipe of entertainment to see in a fighter. Jesus Cuellar is also a come-forward fighter, but with a thinking hat on.
I’m not implying that Mares isn’t a thinking fighter inside the ring, I’m simply saying that Mares doesn’t take an extra step to sit on his punches and wait for an opening before landing his own counter attack. Mares fights out of instinct and with power in both hands, which has been working for him. But against Cuellar, Mares is going to have to do more than what he’s normally used to.
Cuellar is the type of fighter that doesn’t go in for the finish right away, and because he’s a composed brawler, he lands the better shots. Between both men, I have to give the advantage to Cuellar in this fight. Simply because Cuellar has more in his arsenal than Mares.
Mares has been knocked out before and is very vulnerable to the left hand hooks. I haven’t seen much improvement from Robert Garcia (his trainer) in the workout videos I’ve seen when he’s doing mitts. I hope Mares has been working on keeping his right hand up because Cuellar is a southpaw and throws one hell of a left hook.
If Mares isn’t careful, he can get knocked out again by the hard-hitting Jesus Cuellar.
Prediction: Cuellar
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Mares
Michael Burnell, Staff Writer
Jesus “El Jinete” Cuellar (28-1, 21 KOs) vs. Abner Mares (29-2, 15 KOs) is an interesting Featherweight clash for Cuellar’s WBA belt.
Cuellar is riding high since winning his title and has notched several successful title defenses, while Mares lost his most recent fight via 12-round decision in an action-packed affair with Leo Santa Cruz in Los Angeles in August of 2015.
Mares enjoyed early success against Santa Cruz with uncharacteristic aggression and will employ a more subdued version of this strategy against the Argentine champion with varying degrees of success.
Cuellar will box smartly and land some nice counters from his southpaw stance and catch the Mexican challenger on his way in, but won’t be able to put enough together to discourage Mares.
After 12 rounds Mares will be declared the winner via majority decision.
Prediction: Mares
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
This is an interesting matchup that has the potential to be a barnburner. I don’t think many are sold on Jesus Cuellar being a top-flight Featherweight, but they should be. He’s an action fighter that does a lot of things well, but isn’t exceptional at anything. That is not meant to sell him short, because he hasn’t lost a fight in five years and he has one hell of a punch.
The real question is what are we going to get out of Abner Mares?
He’s constantly changing trainers, has had bouts of inactivity and is coming off a significant loss. One has to wonder how that is going to affect him in the ring. Mares used to be known for his granite chin, but since the shocking first-round knockout at the hands of Jhonny Gonzalez, there’s a question mark there as well.
Technically speaking, I think Mares has the advantages in skill and experience being that he can box and brawl if need be. He’d be best suited to box, but if it comes down to a brawl (which I think it will) and he can take Cuellar’s power well, this is his fight to lose.
It should be mentioned that Mares has never lost to a southpaw, however I’m torn because I haven’t the slightest idea what version of Mares is going to show up. So based on that uncertainty, I’m rolling with Cuellar because he’s going to press and Mares will get sucked into a brawl and that might end Mares’ night before the final bell.
Prediction: Cuellar
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This should be an entertaining scrap between two fighters who have been planning to get it on for quite some time. Both men have something to prove–Jesus Cuellar would like to show that he made the right move by leaving Robert Garcia and Abner Mares would like to prove that he’s still got upper-echelon ability.
According to his new trainer Freddie Roach, Cuellar said he never learned anything during his time with Garcia–which could be true. One thing Roach says he’s been teaching Cuellar is to throw punches from different angles, which will be important if he hopes to catch Mares.
Mares is coming off a long layoff so I’m not sold on him having the stamina and confidence to implement the new tactics Garcia has supposedly taught him. I think we’ll see the same Mares after a few rounds–an exciting offensive fighter with defensive flaws. I’ll take Cuellar by stoppage.
Prediction: Cuellar
