On Friday, April 29, 2016, Premier Boxing Champions returns to Spike for a Dirrell brother’s doubleheader.
Andre “The Resurrected” Dirrell battles Australia’s Blake Caparello and former world champion Anthony “The Dog” Dirrell takes on Minnesota’s Caleb “Golden” Truax.
Televised coverage begins at 9:00 pm, EST/PST on Spike.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Dirrell vs. Caparello and Dirrell vs. Truax and let us know who you think will win each bout.
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Photos by Dave Nadkarni/PBC
Anthony Dirrell
vs.
Caleb Truax
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
Nothing emphatic to say about these two fights really, other than I see both Dirrell brothers–Andre and Anthony–boxing to a decision win over their opponents.
Prediction: Dirrell
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
This is a strange type of fight. Is this another comeback fight for Anthony Dirrell? Some sort of matchup between two top super middleweight contenders? A blatant mismatch? Well, whatever it is, it’s not going to end well for fringe contender Caleb Truax.
Truax was given a shot at middleweight title holder Danny Jacobs last year, where he was completely outclassed and knocked out. Now he’s going up in weight to take on Dirrell, who’s trying to get back into the top 168-pound roster.
Dirrell should have no problem with Truax, his sheer physicality should be enough to overwhelm his opponent. Truax offers nothing that might upset Dirrell.
Hopefully, beating up Truax will propel Dirrell into bigger, better fights. Dirrell by early TKO.
Prediction: Dirrell
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
If Anthony Dirrell can’t pull this one out his career is on the rocks for sure. He dropped a huge L to Badou Jack this time last year. He couldn’t hurt a washed up Marco Antonio Rubio—one that was clearly there as a punching bag.
Dirrell doesn’t have much left to do in the 168 division and the gatekeeper label awaits. Truax is an easy win for him, but he’ll need to be impressive if he wants to remain in the championship level picture.
Truax is a smaller guy. I see Dirrell outworking him with his size for 10 rounds without issue.
Prediction: Dirrell
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Anthony Dirrell (21-1- 1, 22 KOs) takes on Caleb Truax (26-2- 2, 16 KOs) Friday night at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Dirrell may be favored to win this fight, but I expect Truax to make it an extremely competitive bout. Dirrell is known for being a great technical fighter with a high ring IQ and an ability to adjust to his opponents. He sticks to his game plan when coming into fights and packs power in both hands, making him a dangerous fighter to face.
Truax is also a technical fighter, but he tends to lean on the defensive side and only take chances when they open up. Truax has a reputation for being a fighter who can take a punch as well as hang in there with fighters who may be more talented than him.
Even though Dirrell is coming into this fight as a considerable favorite, he doesn’t view Truax as a walkover, saying “I’m definitely not looking beyond this next guy, he’s a warrior, but I’m looking to get outta there so I can continue to prove to the world that I’m a true champion.”
I am expecting a great technical fight, with Dirrell being the aggressor. Though I think this fight is going to be a competitive one, I believe Dirrell will come out on top. His aggressive offense, combinations and punching power will be the difference in this fight and lead him to a victory.
Prediction: Dirrell
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Caleb Truax is mouthy on Twitter and lousy in the ring. Wish it were the other way around. Anthony Dirrell has skills, but he needs to let the dog out early and make a statement by stopping Truax.
When you’re getting served pitches down the middle, you have to start hitting them out of the park. Dirrell missed on Marco Antonio Rubio, he needs to make it happen against Truax.
Prediction: Dirrell
Andre Dirrell
vs.
Blake Caparello
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
Nothing emphatic to say about these two fights really, other than I see both Dirrell brothers–Andre and Anthony–boxing to a decision win over their opponents.
Prediction: Dirrell
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Of the two Dirrell brothers’ fights, this is the more interesting two. Andre Dirrell is coming back from an earnest but clear lose to James DeGale. Blake Caparello’s last big fight was against Sergey Kovalev in 2014. He was able to knockdown Kovalev in the first round. Not a good idea, as a truly pissed off Kovalev beat the snot out of him the next round. Caparello has since gone down in weight and won three straight.
Andre Dirrell’s talents are truly exceptional. It’s just a shame that his skills haven’t translated to the professional level yet. Hopefully against Blake Caparello, he should be able to get back into the mix.
When Dirrell is at his best, he’s sharp and his speed is blinding. He moves masterfully around the ring, displaying spot on timing and reflexes. While Caparello is no slouch, he’s not as physically gifted as Dirrell. Caparello is a solid boxer, but doesn’t quick have the explosiveness to combat Dirrell.
I expect a tactical chess match that Dirrell will mostly dominate, but Caparello will make him work for it. Dirrell by clear decision.
Prediction: Dirrell
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
Andre Dirrell, unlike his brother, is not a question of where he went wrong but what he could have been ever since Arthur Abraham viciously clocked him on the canvas back in 2010.
Dirrell’s comeback was impressive until he was beaten up by James Degale last year. But Dirrell’s heart is still with him and in full force as he boxed back to lose a close decision to Degale in the end.
Caparello is another “comeback” fight for him. It should be easy on him as he continues trying to force his way back into the Super Middleweight picture.
Prediction: Dirrell
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Andre Dirrell (24-2, 16 KOs) is coming off of a narrow loss against James DeGale for a vacant 168-pound world title. Dirrell was understandably dejected after this fight, but after hearing of the opportunity to fight Australian Blake Caparello (22-1- 1, 6 KOs), he discovered the importance of focusing on the future rather than dwelling on the past.
Dirrell is excited to get back into the ring after a layoff of more than 11 months. “I’m just a whole new person with a new glow, energized to perform to the best of my abilities anytime I get into that ring,” says Dirrell.
Blake Caparello has spent most of his pro career fighting in his homeland, only twice coming north—both times to New Jersey in 2014—one of which was against Sergey Kovalev. Caparello lost by second-round TKO but not before dropping the still-undefeated champ. Coming off his defeat by Kovalev, he has had three straight unanimous decisions.
Dirrell is easily one the toughest opponents Caparello has faced – aside from Kovalev. Dirrell is returning to the ring Friday night with renewed energy and confidence. With this new mindset of focusing on what lies ahead, I see him using his technical style of boxing, much like his brother Anthony, and landing
powerful combination punches which will be more than enough to come out on top over Caparello. I see this fight going all 10 rounds, with Dirrell winning via unanimous decision.
Prediction: Dirrell
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Andre Dirrell is hoping to get another crack at James DeGale. As it stands, Dirrell is on the outside of the title picture, looking in at Badou Jack and James DeGale who will likely unify this fall (as long as they both win on Saturday night).
We know Dirrell is more athletic and skillful than Blake Caparello, so picking him in this fight is not a shocker. But, what we need to see is an emphatic statement victory. If not, nobody will be clamoring for a DeGale rematch or a shot at any other title holder for Dirrell.
Prediction: Dirrell
