Photo by Brendan Montenegro/Round By Round Boxing
On Saturday, October 26, 2013 from the famed Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, Bernard Hopkins (53-6, 32 KOs) defends his IBF Light Heavyweight title against Karo Murat (25-1, 15 KOs).
The Showtime triple-header begins at 9 pm, EST and also features Deontay Wilder (29-0, 29 KOs) vs. Nicolai Firtha 21-10, 8 KOs) and Peter Quillin (29-0, 21 KOs) vs. Gabriel Rosado (21-6, 13 KOs).
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each fight.
Click here to view the staff’s records up to this point.
Photo by Brendan Montenegro/Round By Round Boxing
Deontay Wilder vs. Nicolai Firtha
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
Oh come on! You don’t have to be Nostradamus to predict the end result of this match. Nicolai Firtha is no challenge for the hard hitting Deontay Wilder. The Bronze Bomber is superior to Firtha in every way. I call this bout a third-round knockout in favor of Wilder.
Prediction: Wilder
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
In the opening bout of the fight, we’ll see Nicolai Firtha playing the part of sacrificial lamb to Golden Boy Promotions’ Deontay Wilder. It’s simple really, just another body to stack on Wilder’s win column and sadly another body with a double-digit losing record. I see Wilder playing with the poorly mismatched Firtha before the execution in the second round of this 10-round bout.
Prediction: Wilder
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
I love Wilder. He is an outgoing, straight forward, take no bullshit kind of guy. He has huge respect for Firtha, but stated he is taking him out and his record will be 30-0, 30 KOs. I believe it, but how many rounds will Firtha last? Firtha has been in with some good Heavyweights, but how long can he take Wilder’s right hook? Answer; 5 rounds, which will be good for Wilder as he will get his KO and build the number of rounds he fights.
Prediction: Wilder
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I know this is a stay busy fight, but I need to start seeing Wilder step up his competition. This fight doesn’t deserve to be on television. Not much analysis needed here.
Prediction: Wilder
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Is the Deontay Wilder hype machine real? This isn’t the fight where we find out. Wilder will make quick work of Firtha. The question we’ll have after this fight is; who’s next?
Prediction: Wilder
Photo by Brendan Montenegro/Round By Round Boxing
Peter Quillin vs. Gabriel Rosado
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Although Rosado does have a big chance, I have Kid Chocolate winning.
Prediction: Quillin
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
All of my colleagues are saying that this fight will be the fight to steal the show this weekend. I’m not convinced. It will be better than the main event, but that won’t take much. Rosado will be a nice name to add to the resume for Kid Chocolate as he builds his own name up in the 160 pound division. I’d rather see him eventually face Canelo Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, Sergio Martinez, or Gennady Golovkin. Hopefully with a win here we’re a step closer to one of those fights despite the political promotional hurdles that lay in the way. My diagnosis for this fight is UD in a fairly close, fairly interesting fight for Kid Chocolate.
Prediction: Quillin
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
It’s finally here! I’ve been waiting for this matchup for a long time. It’s definitely a treat for me. These fighters are awesome fighters who are very exciting to watch. Quillin throws spine-chilling punches with bad intentions while Rosado’s brave heart is uplifting. In my opinion, it is difficult to predict the winner in this fight. I can actually see this fight going both ways. I could see Quillin getting an early knockout and I could also see Rosado carrying Quillin into the later rounds where Quillin usually fatigues. Rosado is without a doubt the underdog in this scenario. However, I’ve always felt like Quillin has been a bit protected and has really never fought a tough guy like Rosado. I think Rosado will pull off the upset in this fight. The King by decision.
Prediction: Rosado
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
This match, in my mind, is setup to steal the show! We have explosive WBO Middleweight champion Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin fighting the gritty Gabriel “King” Rosado. I do expect fireworks coming from these two as Quillin has displayed power in both hands to KO any opponent and enough technique to box when need be. Rosado’s previous fight with Gennady Golovkin showed he belongs in the ring with the best in his newly adopted division. Even with Rosado being as tough as nails, I have him continually worked to the body over the span of the fight, with the bout being stopped in Qullin’s favor somewhere around the 11th Round mark.
Prediction: Quillin
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This is the fight that will steal the night. It is the fight that all the media has been talking about, and with the fireworks that happened between the two at the final press conference, it will be war. Quillin stated that he is always in Animal Status and trained for everything and Rosado stated “Animal Status… Animals obey men, so call me master. I’m going to show you how to sit and roll over.” This will be war! Could this be the new Gatti-Ward? Maybe, maybe not, but this will be close to it. Quillin throws bombs and Rosado can take them. Rosado has trained for a knockout, and has made that well known. In the end, we all know this fight is not going the distance, it is a question of what round will it end and who gets knocked out. I will be the unconventional one, I think fight will end in a draw.
Prediction: Draw
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I will be looking forward to Peter Quillin vs. Gabriel Rosado the most. This fight has a chance to be really exciting and as we know, Rosado is rarely in a dull fight. I think he will need to make this fight a “smart” war to give himself the best chance to win. Don’t get me wrong, Quillin can crack, but it has to be at his own pace. If Rosado can pressure Quillin effectively he has a chance to pull off the upset. The problem for Rosado is that he is more of a 154 pounder and he has yet to notch a win at Middleweight. I don’t see his first win coming against the world class Kid Chocolate. Quillin is the natural Middleweight and overall the more sound fighter. It shouldn’t be a cake walk, but I like Quillin in this one.
Prediction: Quillin
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Loved this fight as soon as it was made. The buildup to the fight has been exciting with both men willing to trade verbal jabs. As most have already said, I think this one steals the show—unless Wilder knocks his opponent into the third row. Although Quillin has been a wrecking ball as of late, scoring 10 knockdowns in his past two fights, I don’t think he’ll walk all over Rosado. I think Rosado is armed with enough power to give as good as he gets and that may surprise Quillin. I like Rosado’s heart, will and determination as well as the fact that he’s crafty as hell. If you don’t see the subtle movement and style that he’s picked up from Hopkins, then watch closer! I like Rosado in an upset via close decision.
Prediction: Rosado
Photo by Brendan Montenegro/Round By Round Boxing
Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Bernard Hopkins is a marvel in how he’s nearly 50 years old and is still headlining major boxing cards, fighting for and holding world recognized championship belts. While his fights aren’t the most exciting in terms of action, his slick boxing ability and way of frustrating his mostly younger, sometimes half his age opponents can be an interesting watch. This weekend in Atlantic City might just be an exception. He’s fighting a guy not many people that aren’t hardcore boxing fans have heard of in Karo Murat. Murat doesn’t have any real major upsets or big knockouts on his resume. Outside of the amazing feat Hopkins being a champion at nearly 50, there is nothing exciting about this Saturday’s fight. My diagnosis is another win where B-Hop outboxes and frustrates another opponent.
My diagnosis for this card? November 2nd can’t come fast enough.
Prediction: Hopkins
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I’ve never been too attracted to Hopkins’ style. He’s definitely a master tactician, but I’ve always thought there’s just something missing. Aside from opinions, Hopkins will absolutely win this fight. Murat is good, but he lacks the experience to beat a future hall of famer and oldest world champion. Hopkins will toy with Murat for 12 rounds and get a decision win.
Prediction: Hopkins
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Let’s be honest here, Karo Murat is tailor made for Bernard Hopkins. Murat is a come forward fighter, similar to Tavoris Cloud, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal. Hopkins—with his ring IQ alone—beats almost any Light Heavyweight any day or night, but the wily veteran can also still stun opponents. This is just a European fringe contender whose better days were a weight class below, fighting one of the best technical fighters of this generation. I have Hopkins by a yawn-fest unanimous 12-Round decision to keep his IBF Light Heavyweight Title.
Prediction: Hopkins
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This fight will be a dance, showing how young a 48 year old Hopkins is. Hopkins is in extremely great condition, lives a very clean and healthy lifestyle, and still dances around the ring like a 20 year old. Hopkins will win the fight, but the real question is, will Hopkins get the knockout. Hopkins has not had a knockout since his fight against Oscar De La Hoya in 2004.
Prediction: Hopkins
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I know what you’re thinking, snooze fest. Well I can’t argue that point. The ageless wonder continues to defy logic and compete in a younger man’s game. You can’t argue with his dedication and conditioning. At this point it’s Bernard vs. Father Time. Murat is no world beater and he is the perfect fighter for Bernard. He is not a pressure fighter so style wise this may not be easy to watch. Bernard’s ring IQ is only matched by PBF so I envision him picking his spots and grappling, holding and punching his way to a victory.
Prediction: Hopkins
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
There isn’t much to say about this matchup. Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins is 48 years old (in human years) and is still as sharp as ever. To paraphrase a saying that Hopkins has used in the past; fighters don’t get old overnight, they get old in training. Rest assured that Hopkins will be ready to shock naysayers once again and defend his title. Hopkins has been willing to mix it up more than usual in his last few fights so let’s hope this isn’t a sloppy, one-sided domination.
Prediction: Hopkins
