On Saturday, April 30, 2016, Showtime Championship Boxing returns with an exciting doubleheader featuring two of the top Super Middleweights in the world in separate bouts.
WBC Super Middleweight champion Badou Jack takes on Lucian Bute and James DeGale taks on Rogelio Medina.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Jack vs. Bute and DeGale vs. Medina and let us know who you think will win.
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All photos by Esther Lin/Showtime
James DeGale
vs.
Rogelio Medina
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
Rogelio Medina has never been able to ascend to the level required to be a champion, and has come short all the time against prospective fighters, other than J’Leon Love.
James DeGale will be too quick and too elusive, which is why he will comprehensively beat Medina. I say he wins in similar fashion to Jack’s victory over Medina, though
DeGale stops him in less than six rounds.
Prediction: DeGale
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Just like Dominic Wade was against Gennady Golovkin last week, Rogelio Medina is an IBF mandatory replacement. And just like Wade was against Golovkin, Medina is completely out of his league against DeGale.
I think DeGale knows this, though. Luckily for us, DeGale is also a showman. Against Lucian Bute, he seemed to want to put on a show and chose to go to war. DeGale won’t simply thrash Medina. I mean, he easily could if he wanted to, but he won’t.
He’ll let Medina get off some shots, taking a few here and there. But it’s the DeGale show, and James is the star attraction.
I expect DeGale and Medina to slug it out for a couple of rounds before DeGale kicks it into gear. DeGale by mid-round TKO.
Prediction: DeGale
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
Rogelio Who? This is a showcase fight for James DeGale. He’ll knock this guy out early.
DeGale vs. Badou Jack coming right up.
Prediction: DeGale
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
The IBF Super Middleweight title will be on the line Saturday night at the DC Armory in the clash between James “Chunky” DeGale and Rogelio “Porky” Medina. DeGale has a record of 22-1 with 14 knockouts and has won his last 12 fights. Medina is coming into the fight with a record of 36-6 including 30 knockouts, and has won his last four fights.
DeGale does a great job at controlling the ring with constant movement and aggressive forward approach. DeGale is more often than not the aggressor in his fights and is always looking to exchange with his opponents. Although DeGale thrives on offense, he also uses his length to his advantage defensively.
Medina has quick hands and much like DeGale is known to be the aggressor in his fights. Medina has knocked out the last seven fighters he has faced–solidifying the fact that he has power in both hands. Medina hasn’t had the toughest resume throughout his career, but this fight will be his first real shot to prove he’s a top Super Middleweight contender.
I am expecting this fight to be a competitive early on, but I believe that DeGale’s aggressive offensive style will be too much for Medina.
Prediction: DeGale
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
In the battle of Chunky versus Porky (you can’t make this stuff up) I like James DeGale to stop Rogelio Medina and move on to face the winner of Badou Jack versus Lucian Bute.
Not much to write here, DeGale is just better and he’s on a nice roll.
Prediction: DeGale
Badou Jack
vs.
Lucian Bute
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
Badou Jack’s response to his upset loss has been very impressive, collecting impressive wins over Anthony Dirrell and George Groves.
This really is Bute’s last chance, and it is debatable whether he should fight for a title, when coming off a loss.
I see Bute giving it his all, but I think Jack will be able to stand up to what he offers and box on the back foot. As a consequence, I believe Jack will win a points decision, though Bute will give a good effort.
Prediction: Jack
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
I’ll be honest, I thought Badou Jack was damaged goods after getting walloped by Derek Edwards. I thought Anthony Dirrell was going to beat him down. I thought George Groves would knock him out.
Boy was I wrong.
Badou Jack has proven the doubters, including myself, that he is truly championship material. He now faces yet another tough order in the newly revitalized Lucian Bute. In Bute’s last outing, he put on an amazing show against James DeGale, losing a spirited effort.
While he fought with vigor, Bute fought the wrong kind of fight against DeGale, fighting the younger man’s fight. He brawled with DeGale, not taking the time to line up his power shots, especially his left uppercut. Luckily against Jack, who is more of a boxer than swarming brawler, Bute should be able to fight like the older, more tactical version of himself. Will that be enough the upset Jack, though? I don’t believe so.
Badou should be able to disrupt Bute’s rhythm using body work. Against Groves, Jack displayed aggressive body work, chipping away at the young bomber. Bute seems vulnerable to the ribcage, as he took body shots all night from DeGale.
You can’t count Bute out, however. His uppercut still remains a game changer. However, Jack should fight smart, slowly wearing away at the old warrior. Jack by competitive decision.
Prediction: Jack
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
Badou Jack reminds me a bit of Danny Garcia. I always count him out, but he somehow manages to pull out a victory.
Against a post-prime Lucian Bute? I’m counting him in.
Al Haymon is setting up a showdown with James DeGale, which I’m all for. Jack is liable to outbox Bute—possibly knocking him down once or twice on the way.
Prediction: Jack
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
On Saturday night at the DC Armory in Washington DC, Badou Jack (20-1-1, 12 KOs) will defend his WBC Super Middleweight title against former champion Lucian Bute (32-3, 25 KOs). Jack is making his second defense of his title, while it will be Bute’s second straight chance to win a 168-pound title. Bute formerly held the IBF title from 2007 to 2012 before losing it to Carl Forch.
Bute is known to be a crafty fighter with the ability to go to the body well. But Bute isn’t as quick as he once was, and it seems that his punches are lacking the snap that they once had. While Bute’s career is winding down, Jack is continually rising to the occasion. I foresee Jack being the aggressor in this fight–closing space and decimating any attempt of Bute’s to maintain distance.
Jack will wear down Bute with his top-level counterpunching, and ability to land vicious body shots. Though I think Bute is still stiff competition–I anticipate Badou Jack will beat Lucian Bute via unanimous decision and retain his title.
Prediction: Jack
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I’ve gone against Badou Jack in his last two fights, but he keeps proving me wrong. He outworked “The Dog,” Anthony Dirrell and convincingly beat George Groves.
I think this is a good test for Jack, as long as Lucian Bute puts up a good fight like he did against James DeGale.
With his stiff jab and good power, I think Jack has the stuff to put Bute away, perhaps for good. I see Jack and DeGale going at it later this year in a unification bout.
Prediction: Jack
