Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
Saturday, December 14, 2013, Golden Boy Promotions presents an exciting boxing quadruple header as a fantastic year in boxing finally winds down.
Showtime will televise the event–starting at 8 pm, EST–which is being held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.
In the opening bout, Beibut Shumenov faces undefeated Tamas Kovacs in a Light Heavyweight bout.
In the second fight of the evening, exciting up-and-coming champion Leo Santa Cruz defends his WBC Super Bantamweight strap against Puerto Rican challenger, Cesar Seda.
In the third bout of the night, hard-hitting Welterweight Keith Thurman takes on a tough customer in Jesus Soto Karass who looks to score another upset in 2013.
And finally, in the nights highly anticipated main event, Adrien Broner takes on the heavy-hitting Argentine, Marcos Maidana.
Broner’s personality and outspokenness has critics lining up at the door, waiting for him to slip up. But is Maidana the man to push Broner to new limits?
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each bout.
Click here to view the RBRBoxing staff’s records up to this point.
Beibut Shumenov vs. Tamas Kovacs
Photo by Naoki Fukada
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Shumenov
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
In this battle of light heavies, look for the undefeated Tamas Kovacs to come out with a chip on his shoulder. Only negative is that his record seems to be padded. Beibut Shumenov on the other hand has defeated the likes of Gabriel Campillo and Enrique Ornelas who both at one point were title contenders. Shumenov will look to his experience as an advantage in the fight.
Prediction: Shumenov
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
You know, had Beibut Shumenov remained active this year, I would’ve given him a better shot, but the guy hasn’t fought in a year. Ring rust will surely be present in this bout. Tamas Kovacs ain’t no chump. He’s a heavy hitter with a 60.87 percent KO ratio. I see “Tomi Kid” taking this one.
Prediction: Kovacs
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
In his short career, Beibut Shumenov has earned the IBA and WBA Light Heavyweight titles. Despite that, he still lacks the power, explosiveness, and skill of his counterparts Sergey Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson. With a KO ratio merely over 50% and an unparalleled work rate–he can work for a full twelve rounds–I have Shumenov winning a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Shumenov
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
I do not know to much about Tamas Kovacs, but I do know Beibut Shumenov is a beast. My decision is hard on this one, but I will stay with who I know. Shumenov by KO.
Prediction: Shumenov
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Beibut Shumenov is a decent boxer puncher who will need to keep the older Tamas Kovacs at a distance and pick his spots to fight on the inside. For his part, Kovacs will look to be the aggressor and take the fight to Shumenov. Shumenov should use his youth and speed to outwork and outmaneuver the older Kovacs.
Prediction: Shumenov
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Beibut Shumenov does not impress me much. On top of that he’s been inactive. Tamas Kovacs–while older–seems to me like he can pull off the upset and take the titles from the champion. Even though I think Shumenov is over hyped, Kovacs certainly doesn’t have a name like him on his resume so it remains to be seen if this step up in competition is just too much. But, at age 36, it’s now or never for Kovacs. I say it’s now and think Kovacs wins by decision.
Prediction: Kovacs
Keith Thurman vs. Jesus Soto Karass
Photo by Naoki Fukada
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Thurman
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
Could very well be the fight of the night! Thurman coming of an impressive KO of Diego Chavez will look to outbox and break down the relentless pressure of Jesus Soto Karass. Soto Karass will try to pressure Thurman and keep the fight in close range. There is no doubt that this fight will present fireworks. Look for both fighters to find moments to exchange. Thurman is out to prove he is next in line for the Broner/Maidana winner.
Prediction: Thurman
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
Karass is a heavy puncher with an iron chin but that can only get you so far. His boxing skills are really not impressive and skills is what he’ll need if plans to win this fight. If Thurman remains with a cool head throughout the fight it should be an easy win without a doubt.
Prediction: Thurman
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Jesus Soto-Karass can stop any young fighter’s rise to the top. However, when Marcos Maidana chose to box Soto Karass in their fight, he easily landed his jab. Keith Thurman’s explosiveness and boxing skills will make a difference. If Maidana could do it, albeit briefly, Thurman should have no problem using his footwork and jab on a way to a split decision.
Prediction: Thurman
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
There is a reason Keith Thurman has the nickname “One Time.” I’m calling for a knockout in this fight. Jesus Soto Karass will put up a great fight, but Thurman’s power and aggressive pressure will be too overwhelming. Look for Thurman to win by knockout in the sixth round.
Prediction: Thurman
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
As they say in the NFL this could be a “trap” fight for Keith Thurman. Jesus Soto Karass is a Mexican warrior that may lack physical and athletic attributes, but he makes up for it with his fighting style. Thurman is a star on the rise and this will be a good test for him. In the end Thurman has too many physical advantages for me to pick Soto Karass and Thurman himself will not be scared to engage Soto Karass.
Prediction: Thurman
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Keith Thurman has had a great year and he can cap it off with a victory over tough-as-nails Mexican contender, Jesus Soto Karass. Not only has Thurman stepped up his competition gradually this year, but he’s also shown versatility in his wins. I think Soto Karass will provide another good challenge and Thurman can benefit from going a few rounds with him. I think “One Time” will catch Soto Karass sooner or later and end this fight before the final bell rings. And that’s word to San Diego.
Prediction: Thurman
Leo Santa Cruz vs. Cesar Seda
Photo by Naoki Fukada
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Santa Cruz
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
This will be another good fan-friendly fight. Cesar Seda and Leo Santa Cruz have many KO wins and good KO percentages. These featherweights are fast furious and skilled. Santa Cruz will look to continue his production of high volume punching, while the Puerto Rican native Seda will try to counter Santa Cruz in an exchange. In the end, the pressure of Santa Cruz may prove to be too much.
Prediction: Santa Cruz
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
A real treat this fight. Mexico vs Puerto Rico! However, these two aren’t your typical Mexican and Puerto Rican boxers. There’s much more class in these fighters. Stylistically speaking, boxers of this level make predictions harder as the fight, in my opinion, can go either way. I’ve seen Seda enough to know that he can create difficulties for Santa Cruz, but I’m gonna have to go with the latter. Mexican-American boxing has advanced tremendously but if there’s one trait that sticks it is that “fight ‘til the death” attitude. I think it is ingrained in them.
Prediction: Santa Cruz
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Cesar Seda’s only loss was against a previously undefeated fighter in Omar Narvaez. Besides him, he’s only fought tomato cans. Santa Cruz will win by KO.
Prediction: Santa Cruz
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
Leo Santa Cruz has blazed through the Junior Featherweight class, and this fight should not be much different. Cesar Seda is a scrappy little southpaw, looking to put up a good fight against Santa Cruz. Santa Cruz is set up to be a star, and he will not be stopped here. Fighters will be scared of Santa Cruz after this fight.
Prediction: Santa Cruz
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Leo Santa Cruz has proven himself to be a blue chipper, but make no mistake about it, Cesar Seda will not lay down. This fight should steal the show. Santa Cruz is a whirlwind and is a come-forward, fan-friendly fighter, but he does so with intelligence. Leo needs to use that intelligence as Seda will surly test him, possibly more than any other opponent to date. I still think when the dust settles Santa Cruz, with his work rate and come forward relentlessness, will pull out a close decision.
Prediction Santa Cruz
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Leo Santa Cruz is a beast. As Floyd Mayweather suggested earlier this year, he may be a top ten pound-for-pound fighter right now. Well, maybe that’s a bit too much, but he’s well on his way. I think it’s business as usual against Cesar Ceda and I think we will see a mid-rounds KO victory for Santa Cruz
Prediction: Santa Cruz
Adrien Broner vs. Marcos Maidana
Photo by Naoki Fukada
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Maidana
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
This will be a great to watch. Adrien Broner will look to be a little more impressive in this title defense. Look for Broner to outbox Marcos Maidana and use the ring. His speed and movement will be key to dismantling Maidana. Maidana will need to pressure Broner and impose his will on him. With Robert Garcia recently making some good changes to Maidana’s style, look for Maidana to look mobile. It will be a very pro-Maidana crowd.
Prediction: Broner
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
Adrien Broner, in my opinion, is the superior boxer of the two, besides having the better punching power and some decent head movement. Broner outpoints Marcos Maidana across the board. Adrien definitely takes the win.
Prediction: Broner
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Like most people I know, I want Marcos Maidana to win. He has a puncher’s chance and has faced the best at 140 and 147. However, Adrien Broner is just too skilled. He leaped a weight class to fight for a Welterweight belt. Although Malignaggi put in work, it was because he’s a much faster and technical boxer than Maidana. I have Broner winning by decision, but with the caveat that any punch by Maidana could stop this fight.
Prediction: Broner
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
With all the shit talking coming from Adrien Broner, now is the time to put up or shut up. This is definitely the toughest fight of Broner’s career so far. Marcos Maidana is planning on coming into this fight with bad intentions, not only looking to have him eat his words, he is looking to hurt him. He will be extremely aggressive and it will work for a few rounds, but Broner will adjust and take over by letting the jab loose and running a little.
Prediction: Broner
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
When you boil this fight down, it’s talent and natural athletic ability vs. heart, power and tenacity. Which wins? Marcos Maidana excels versus mentally weak foes, while Adrien Broner is brash and does not lack in confidence. Maidana has to somehow get Broner’s respect early. He will certainly leave himself open for counters, but he has no other choice. Broner should stay at a distance early so he does not get caught and use his quick hands vs. the plodding Maidana. In the end, I don’t see Maidana having the tools to solve “The Problem.” Broner will outwork him from a distance before putting a beating on Maidana down the stretch.
Prediction: Broner
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Adrien Broner can make a case for Fighter of the Year with an impressive performance against Marcos Maidana. Maidana can make a case for Upset of the Year with a win over the undefeated “Problem.” Needless to say, a lot is riding on this fight for both men. Josesito Lopez was recently asked who the hardest puncher is that he has faced. As a reminder, Lopez has faced the likes of Victor Ortiz, Canelo Alvarez and Marcos Maidana. Lopez said without a doubt the single hardest puncher he has faced is Maidana. That doesn’t bode well for Broner if he decides to use the same stationary game plan that he did against Paulie Malignaggi. While I think that Broner may have to taste Maidana’s power before he actually believes in it, I also think he’s got enough skill to overcome a bit of adversity. I think Broner wins a convincing unanimous decision after overcoming a bit of early trouble.
Prediction: Broner
