Saturday, December 13, 2014, Amir Khan (29-3, 19 KOs) takes on Devon Alexander (26-2, 14 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight bout for the WBC Silver Welterweight Title.
The event–dubbed Royal Battle–is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
The four-bout telecast will air on Showtime starting at 9:00 pm, EST.
In the co-main event, Keith Thurman (23-0, 21 KOs) defends his WBA Interim Welterweight title against Leonard Bundu (31-0-2, 11 KOs).
Additionally, Abner Mares (27-1-1, 14 KOs) will face Jose Ramirez (25-4, 15 KOs) in a 10-round featherweight bout, while Jermall Charlo (19-0, 15 KOs) will meet Lenny Bottai (22-2, 9 KOs) in a 12-round IBF Junior Middleweight title eliminator to open the telecast.
Also, on Showtime Extreme, Jermell Charlo (24-0, 11 KOs) takes on Mario Lozano (28-5, 22 KOs) starting at 7:00 pm, EST.
Read on for RBRBoxing’s staff predictions for Khan vs. Alexander, Thurman vs. Bundu, Mares vs. Ramirez and Victor Ortiz (29-5-2, 22 KOs) vs. Manny Perez (22-10-1, 4 KOs).
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Victor Ortiz
vs.
Manny Perez
Photo by Esther Lin
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Who knows what to expect when Victor Ortiz climbs into the ring.
He has had more downs than ups over the last few years. I expect Ortiz to win because Perez won’t be able to create the kind of firefight that has made Victor fold up and quit as he has done in recent years.
On this night, I think he has a “safe” opponent.
Prediction: Ortiz
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
It’s hard to fathom that Victor Ortiz once shared a ring with Floyd Mayweather. He’s been drilled a couple of times, and hasn’t won a fight since defeating Andre “We Livin Baby!” Berto.
He’s also really, really weird. Manny Perez is a guy who was hand picked because of his less-than-stellar KO record. It may not matter. Ortiz was stiffened by Luis Collazo, a guy not exactly known for his punching prowess.
While Ortiz talks like he’s right on the cusp of legendary status, he’s actually a walking concussion who seems completely delusional. I fear for his safety should he ever get back into the ring with another serious puncher. I’m taking the upset here and going with Perez to outwork a completely shot Ortiz.
Prediction: Perez
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Victor Ortiz is very unpredictable. During the media workouts and the number of interviews he’s given in the build up to this fight, he seems half there and half in la-la land–broski.
Manny Perez is a tough customer and will certainly come prepared to try and rattle Ortiz and push him to the point of quitting, but I’m not sure he has the firepower to do so. It’s a huge opportunity for Perez–who may have some moments–but ultimately I think Ortiz wins and continues his odd quest to become the No.1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Prediction: Ortiz
Photo courtesy of GrudgeWear.com
Abner Mares
vs.
Jose Ramirez
Photo by Esther Lin
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
I like Abner Mares. Jose Ramirez has been on the fast track and is both young and impressive. Going with my gut here as I see Mares’ experience guiding him to victory.
Prediction: Mares
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Jose Ramirez is a tough fighter, and we’re not real sure what is left of Mares at this point. He has looked awful in his last couple of outings, including his first and only rodeo with trainer Virgil Hunter.
That pairing looked absolutely awful, and we’re frankly glad it’s over. I think Mares wins the fight, and hopefully finds himself in something meaningful in the next year.
Prediction: Mares
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
After an awkward debut with Virgil “Whisper Sweet Nothings in Your Ear” Hunter, Abner Mares is back with Clemente Medina who brought out the bad ass in him. I think Mares regains some confidence and gets a stoppage victory over the lesser talented Jose Ramirez.
Also–just to be clear–Mares’ opponent isn’t the Top Rank prospect Jose Ramirez. That Ramirez is actually fighting on the HBO Bradley vs. Chaves card on the same night.
Prediction: Mares
Photo by Esther Lin
Keith Thurman
vs.
Leonard Bundu
Photo by Esther Lin
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
I like Keith Thurman. I wouldn’t be surprised if the fight is a little tougher than some may think. Thurman is another young, hungry tiger looking for Floyd Mayweather.
The Lion, Leonard Bundu brings a sparkling record into the ring with pretty good punching power as well. Most of his fights have been in Italy and this will be his first trip across the pond to fight in the US.
Thurman has fought a better class of fighters and I look for him to win.
Prediction: Thurman
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Keith Thurman is avoided like Ebola because he hits like a train and he’s not that well known. So instead of a big fight, he gets the 40-year-old Leonard Bundu.
Bundu is a tough dude, but he’s no match for this young beast. “One Time” by nasty KO.
Prediction: Thurman
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
2014 was a bit of wasted year for Keith Thurman. I was expecting big things from the man known as “One Time,” but injury and Haymon-isms have kept him out of the ring.
I think Thurman might have to work through some ring rust early on against a decent opponent, but he’ll warm up in the middle rounds and score a knockout. The Italian, Leonard Bundu, does have some decent names on his resume–such as Lee Purdy and Frankie Gavin–but he’s not on Thurman’s level.
Prediction: Thurman
Photo by Esther Lin
Amir Khan
vs.
Devon Alexander
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Amir Khan is on a mission with eyes wide open towards a potential showdown with Floyd Mayweather.
I look for Khan to earn the win. He has bounced back after back-to-back losses with three consecutive wins. In his last showing, he took Luis Collazo apart easily.
I certainly don’t take anything away from Devon Alexander, I just don’t see this as a good style matchup for him.
Prediction: Khan
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Amir Khan really wants us to believe that he’s not overlooking Devon Alexander. He’s lying. He wants Floyd Mayweather so bad he can taste it.
He dodged Alexander once already to chase the money fight and failed to get what he wanted. Now he’s trying the road that goes through Alexander.
While Khan has blazing hand speed and good pop, Alexander isn’t exactly slow. He’s a tricky southpaw who is really hard to look good against. I think Khan takes the fight, but I have a feeling it’s going to be a razor thin, disputed decision.
Prediction: Khan
Donte Brown, Owner of Donte’s Boxing Gym
I like the fact that both fighters have had good tests, and have been knocked down, but gotten back up.
My instincts tell me to vote for Amir Khan, but my logic tells me to vote for Devon Alexander. This is a TOUGH call (I’m mentally sweating), but I will go with Khan.
Prediction: Khan
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This matchup is a few years too late in my opinion, but hey we’ll take what we can get. Devon Alexander is certainly not done as a fighter, I just don’t know if he has what it takes to beat guys like Amir Khan, Shawn Porter–who he already lost to–Kell Brook, Keith Thurman or any other top 147 pounder.
I think Khan is on a mission to prove that he is worthy of a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and he’ll be focused on scoring a crowd-pleasing victory. I think Khan gets the nod by decision.
Prediction:Khan
