Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./Round By Round Boxing
Saturday, March 1, 2014 marks a big return for the sweet science with three major fights taking place.
First, Terence Crawford (22-0, 16 KOs) invades the Scottish Exhibition Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, also known as Ricky Burns’ (36-2, 11 KOs) home turf, to try and win the WBO Featherweight title.
The bout–which will be television on AWE in the United States–could have very well captured a major audience in the U.S., but instead, Crawford’s first title bid will generally fly under the radar.
Crawford is a dynamic young talent and with a win over Burns he will surely make a case to face the biggest names in the Featherweight division.
The AWE telecast begins at 2 pm EST and will also be available on Playstation Network on PS3 and PS4 via pay-per-view.
HBO Championship Boxing kicks off at 9:45 pm, EST with an interesting doubleheader.
First up, two-time Olympic gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko (1-0, 1 KO) challenges veteran tough guy, Orlando Salido (40-12-2, 28 KOs).
This matchup is intriguing on multiple levels, most of all because Lomachenko is looking to win Salido’s WBO strap in only his second professional fight.
In the main event, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (47-1, 32 KOs) and Bryan Vera (23-7, 14 KOs) square off in a rematch of their highly controversial fight from September of 2013.
Chavez Jr. walked away with a unanimous decision the first time, but most ringside observers, including Round By Round Boxing’s Gabe Rivas, saw the fight in favor of Vera.
Vera was in top shape for the first fight, but this time he says he’s pushing himself harder than ever (via Banner Promotions press release).
“I did all of my training times two. This has been the longest camp of my career. I sparred against heavyweights to get ready for Chavez Jr.”
Chavez on the other hand left a lot to be desired in terms of conditioning and training before facing Vera for the first time. For the rematch, he told Box Azteca that he has been training hard and vows to win in crowd-pleasing fashion.
Will Vera be able to notch the biggest win in his career or will Chavez Jr. live up to his championship name and score a convincing victory this time around?
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Bryan Vera, Orlando Salido vs. Vasyl Lomachenko and Terence Crawford vs. Ricky Burns.
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Terence Crawford vs. Ricky Burns
Photo by Action Photos
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
What is this? Ricky Burns’ second fight on a gifted belt? Why yes, yes it is. Burns finds himself defending his title after disgracefully surviving against Jose Gonzalez, who weirdly quit after beating the snot out of Burns for an entire fight, over a “wrist injury” and then “beating” Ray Beltran by a decision in a fight where he was dropped more than once and had the inside of his jaw broken. Yet, all the king’s horses and all the king’s men cannot save Ricky Burns from the impending doom heading his way on Saturday in Glasgow. Even if all the the judges’ pockets are lined in Eddie Hearn’s money, it would not mean a thing because opposite of Burns will be Terence Crawford. Crawford’s skill ceiling has no limits and I’m sure this title fight for him will be the first of many. I have Crawford knocking out Burns sometime before the 10th round. It might take sometime for Crawford to finally chase down the hometown Burns, but he’ll get him cornered in sooner or later.
Prediction: Crawford
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
If only Ricky Burns had some power behind those punches I would give him a better chance. Unfortunately, to beat a Terence Crawford style fighter you need just that. You need bone breaking, spine chilling power punches. The type of punches that terrify talent. Crawford has a lot of it, talent that is. This is why I believe he’ll dominate this fight for sure. Crawford wins by decision.
Prediction: Crawford
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I believe Terence Crawford is a star in the making. He will be going for his first belt vs. Ricky Burns who is a proud champion and will not go away easy. On paper this might be Crawford’s toughest fight, but I look for Crawford to put on a show. Burns has not
looked good in his last two fights and he will need to bring his A game against Crawford. I see Crawford using his speed and sneaky power to breakdown Burns and win the fight.
Prediction: Crawford
Alejandro Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Terence “TBud” Crawford is walking into a hostile environment to try and earn his first title. Regardless of Ricky Burns’ questionable victories in the recent past, he is the toughest opponent Crawford has ever faced. Crawford stated to Sky Sports that he feels the sold out crowd and hostile environment will “boost” him. He will certainly have to be mentally prepared for harsh treatment from Burns’ hometown fans, but this is what separates the boys from the men. I think Crawford is a star in the making and he’ll prove it with a dynamic KO victory over Burns.
Prediction: Crawford
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Orlando Salido
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./Round By Round Boxing
Dominique Silva, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomanchenko vs. Orlando Salido for the WBO Featherweight Championship is tomorrow night in San Antonio, TX. Salido has already lost his belt due to coming in overweight and not bothering trying to lose the weight should tell you something, that he has no confidence in this bout. He has downplayed Lomachenko from the beginning, saying he doesn’t deserved this bout and that it is an insult to all of boxing that he’s getting a title shot so soon. Lomachenko is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and in my opinion, the future in the lighter weight divisions. My prediction, Lomachenko by early KO.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko is an aggressive and exciting pro prospect with a glittery resume that comes chocked full with two Gold medals from Beijing and London. Bob Arum and Top Rank are banking on him being an exciting fighter and a factor in the sport for the next several years. Lomachenko was impressive in his first fight and in his second bout has hopes on taking away a belt from the savvy vet Orlando Salido. Salido has the pro experience part of it down, but in big fights with elite fighters Salido has lost, namely against opponents like Juan Manuel Marquez, Mikey Garcia and Yuriorkis Gamboa. The question is, is Lomanchenko an elite pro fighter? I think Lomachenko is and so do the people at Top Rank, and I don’t think they would put him in against a guy like Salido unless they had confidence he could fight his way through a tough out like the WBO champion. I expect a tough and hard fight from Salido and I expect him to do what he does in big fights like this; lose.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko is on track to make history by challenging the very tough, Mexican veteran, Orlando Salido, as the co-main event of Chavez-Vera II. Can he do it? Can he beat the rugged champion? The champion who has faced multiple world-class fighters and has been in several wars in his long career? It’s very exciting to think about, given the fact that Lomachenko isn’t just some flash in the pan contender. No, he is as close to the real deal as Holyfield (see what I did there?). He is considered by most as the best amateur fighter ever, but what does that mean at the professional world-class level? It means that even though Orlando Salido is not a man you pick against often, this writer will not go against the boxer that calls himself “The Greatest.” I have Loma winning a wide decision victory.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
In my opinion this is the real main event. Bullfights are always entertaining, which is exactly what this bout will be. Lomachenko is a “Matador” in the ring. I don’t think he’ll have too much trouble taming the wild and aggressive Orlando Salido. You know, I really like Salido. He’s a powerful boxer that can deliver a knockout at any time in the fight, mostly in the late rounds. Salido has always been a slow starter. Don’t be surprised if at the very least he stumbles Lomachenko with a surprise blow. However, considering the highly skilled Ukrainian, that would be more of possibility than a probability. Good luck Salido.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko looks to continue his fast track to the top vs. Orlando Salido. Salido will need to employ his gritty style and lure Lomachenko into his fight. Lomachenko for his part needs to use his movement and overall ring generalship. If Salido can make it an uncomfortable fight he may have a chance, but I think Lomachenko is too skilled for Salido who at 33 has a lot of mileage on his odometer.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Alejandro Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Orlando “Siri” Salido is a tough customer. He has derailed Top Rank’s “next big thing” before by knocking out Juan Manuel Lopez twice. His resume is quite impressive, and even in his losses he’s surely gained experience. The thing is, Vasyl Lomachenko is a unique specimen. If Lomachenko is indeed what Top Rank, Kevin Iole and countless others say he is, we will be witnessing history as he picks up the WBO Featherweight belt in just his second pro bout. I think Lomachenko will bait Salido into a toe-to-toe war and get the better of those exchanges. Hopefully, this sets up a bout against another legendary Olympian, Guillermo Rigondeaux.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Bryan Vera
Photo by Porfirio Barron Jr./Round By Round Boxing
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is at a crossroads in his career. His last two fights were a controversial win over Bryan Vera where he blew past two weight limits of 168 and 172 pounds. The fight before that was a near shutout loss to middleweight kingpin Sergio Martinez. If JCC can get passed Vera there are lots of opportunities from 160 to 175 pounds for him. Whether it is Carl Froch, Andre Ward, Adonis Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev, Jean Pascal, Lucian Bute, or Gennady Golovkin. A loss would be devastating for JCC and a lot of the previously listed opportunities would wash away. The question is, has he finally dedicated himself 100 percent to the sport of boxing including the training and the daily hard work it takes to be a successful prizefighter? If he does actually apply himself he has the talent to be a marquee name in the sport for the next several years. But, if he doesn’t; well we’ve seen what happens when he doesn’t already, which are lackluster performances that leave his large Mexican fan base and trainers befuddled. If JCC can finally get it right in the gym and in his mind, he will get back on track and pound out a hard fought victory with the same heavy punches that he delivered in the first fight.
Prediction: Chavez Jr.
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is lazy. He has taken advantage of his last name and he has disrespected the sport by the way he has acted in the past, leading up to very important fights. Yet, does that mean he will lose to Bryan Vera this weekend? No, no it doesn’t. It’s sad how Vera can train 100 percent full steam, yet the natural gifts that are bestowed to JCC Jr. (besides judging scores) can easily beat Vera by training at 50 percent. Chavez Jr. is just too naturally gifted. With the first fight being close, even with Jr. in a joke of a training camp, it definitely has me seeing Jr. stopping the very game, but outmatched Vera in the later rounds.
Prediction: Chavez Jr.
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
Despite me not liking this kid [Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.], I think he has a better chance this time around to beat Bryan Vera convincingly. Chavez Jr. is the younger fighter with arguably the better skills. I say he wins this bout via late TKO. Chavez Jr. by late TKO.
Prediction: Chavez Jr.
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I personally thought Bryan Vera won the last bout. I was not a fan of giving the “name” fighter EVERY benefit of the doubt.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has a chance to silence me and those who thought he was undeserving of the decision win. If Chavez Jr. shows any pride in his craft and professionalism he should win, but as we have seen time and time again that is a huge IF. Vera needs to do exactly what he did last time, which is pick his spots and brawl. Vera should give JCC just enough movement to keep him off balance while staying true to his guts-first style. Also, he needs to hope JCC takes him lightly again, which with any other fighter would be virtually impossible, but we are talking about Jr. here. JCC for his part needs to be a professional and come in well trained and in good condition. If he does those things or comes close to doing those things he will be the victor. We have to remember that as bad as JCC looked the first time around, I thought Vera won a very close decision, so Vera has his work cut out for him. I think a slightly more motivated JCC get’s the job done.
Prediction: Chavez Jr.
Alejandro Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. says he’s had his best training camp since his fight with Andy Lee. In that fight, he steamrolled a legitimate contender. If that version of Chavez Jr. comes into the ring Saturday night, it will be trouble for Vera. For all his intangibles, Bryan Vera is simply not as naturally gifted as Chavez Jr. and as we saw last fight, even a semi-prepared Jr. can defeat Vera. I am one of the few folks who gave Chavez Jr. the nod that night and I expect an even more convincing victory this time around. With Bob Arum’s recent statement saying that a possible Gennady Golovkin fight is in the works for Chavez Jr., he has no excuses and should come out looking to make a statement.
Prediction: Chavez Jr.
