Photo by Keystone Boxing
Saturday, April 11, 2015, unbeaten Philadelphia native Danny Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs) and tough-as-nails Washington, DC, native Lamont Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs) go head-to-head in a battle of 140-pound champions.
Though the bout is being held at a 143 pound catch weight, fans are still excited to get to see a fight that they have been calling for for quite some time.
A win could catapult either man into a top spot at 147 pounds where both fighters have mentioned they want to end up sooner, rather than later.
In the co-main event, unbeaten former 160-pound WBO champion Peter Quillin looks to win back fans as he takes on the toughest challenge of his career in Irishman Andy Lee.
The bout was originally scheduled to be fought for the WBO title, but Quillin came in over weight on Friday and was unable to get under the limit in the time allowed.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions and let us know who you think will win each bout.
http://www.wedgies.com/question/552098019b45060c000059e4
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Header photo by Keystone Boxing
Peter Quillin
vs.
Andy Lee
Photo by Jeremy Flores/RBRBoxing
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Peter “Kid I Turned Down a Shit Load of Money and I’m Okay With It” Quillin is the superior fighter here. But that’s usually the case for Andy Lee whenever he steps up–he’s outmatched.
Still, he keeps springing these Hail Mary knockouts, and most of the boxing world is praying he does it again Saturday. Quillin (and Garcia, if maybe to a lesser extent) has become the poster child for eschewing competitive fights in favor of easier, money-making bouts.
This won’t be a walk in the park for him, because Lee can seriously bang. But Quillin should be able to move around Lee and score points while avoiding anything disastrous in return. I think Lee’s home run streak will end Saturday night, which will disappoint all of Twitter. Quillin by wide decision.
Prediction: Quillin
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
There’s a big difference between who you want to win, and who you think is going to win, that’s where I’m standing right now.
Everything in me wants Andy Lee to win, but I just don’t see it happening. He’s a tough son of a bitch, with one hell of a right hook, but unfortunately to win the big races you need to be more than a one trick pony.
Quillin is the better boxer, flat-out, and even though he’s shorter, and has less of a reach, he’s the bigger man. He also has proven to this point that he has a good chin, he’s never even been down in 31 fights. Expect Quillin to nullify Lee’s equalizer, and win rounds by being the overall stronger, and more aggressive fighter.
Prediction: Quillin
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Despite his inactivity, having not fought in nearly a year, the undefeated Peter Quillin is Saturday nights betting favorite. Quillin (31-0, 22 KOs) is a very good boxer and packs a pretty good punch.
Andy Lee (34-2, 24 KOs) has put together a six-fight win streak after losing to Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in 2012. His last two fights ended with impressive knockouts of John Jackson and Matt Korobov.
As likable, and tough, as Lee is, I don’t think he will be able to handle Quillin. Quillin is simply a better boxer with more tools.
Although it’s possible, I don’t see his punching power bailing him out Saturday night. Lee gets hit too much and I look for Quillin to win by decision.
Prediction: Quillin
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
All of this week I was leaning towards picking Peter Quillin over Andy Lee, based on skill alone.
The problem is that Peter “I Ate Too Much Chocolate” Quillin didn’t make weight today and now the WBO title that he wanted back so badly is off the table. More verbal fireballs were thrown Quillin’s way by angry fans on Twitter and Instagram who were already pissed off at Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson fighting at 143 pounds for no titles.
Regardless of what Quillin may say, those insults bother him. How do I know? He can often be found going back and forth with the very same internet trolls that he claims to ignore. Quillin, in my opinion, will not be as focused or hungry now that the title that he vacated is not up for contention.
I think Lee will use his reach and successfully box to victory. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Lee gets Quillin out of there with his patented right hook.
Prediction: Lee
Danny Garcia
vs.
Lamont Peterson
Photo by Keystone Boxing
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Lamont Peterson and his beard will try to be the first to defeat Garcia and his extra digit. Will Peterson be tentative, with the lingering effects of being penetrated by Lucas Matthysse still fresh in his mind? Garcia doesn’t hit like that beast, but he’s certainly got enough pop to ruin Peterson if he’s not careful, especially with that excellent left hook of his. Peterson will of course attempt to outbox Garcia, using his reach and speed advantages. And it can be done – despite what three asshole judges thought, Mauricio Herrera outclassed Garcia when they met last March. Still, I think Danny is the better fighter here, and I’m not convinced that Peterson has the chin to stand up to him without getting dinged badly. Garcia will get the win and claim the 143 lb Junior-But-Almost-Welterweight Title that I made up.
Prediction: Garcia
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
I’m telling you right now, do not pick against Garcia based solely off his 2014 campaign, hate him or love him, he’s a talented and strong fighter.
Peterson needs to outwork Garcia if he wants to win this fight, he can do so, he’s a very hard-working fighter who not only has a reach advantage, but also knows how to bang on the inside.
The only problem with that is Garcia is very good at making aggressive fighters pay for their mistakes. The two most impressive wins of his career came against Amir Khan and Lucas Matthysse, who Garcia made pay for their aggression. Keep an eye on Garcia’s counter left hook which carries enough power to knockout anybody in the division.
I think Peterson’s grit and experience sees him to the final bell, I just don’t think he’s exceptional enough at any one thing to out-point Garcia.
Prediction: Garcia
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Garcia (29-0, 17KOs) is the better boxer and the better puncher. Peterson (33-2-1, 17 KOs) has a tremendous heart and will be relentless in coming after Garcia. I am looking for Garcia to control the action and keep Peterson at the end of his jab.
Peterson would prefer to be inside and hammering away but will have a difficult time handling Garcia’s first class counter punching. Garcia knows he needs to make a statement.
I like Garcia to win by decision. If Garcia takes command early enough, I wouldn’t rule out a stoppage.
Prediction: Garcia
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Regardless of belts, crowns or titles, Danny Garcia vs. Lamont Peterson is a good fight. It’s like when you browse through YouTube and you find a video of two guys fighting in the back alley of a McDonalds. If it’s a good fight, you watch it, simple as that. Who cares about WBC or WBA or WWE for that matter. All we want to see is a good scrap, and Garcia vs. Peterson at 143 pounds is a good scrap.
I think Peterson may have some early success if he sticks to the game plan and boxes Garcia. Peterson has to be quick and get in and out of Garcia’s range. Before Garcia took Amir Khan’s head off, he was being thoroughly outclassed and beat to the punch. The problem is that Peterson, a lot like that version of Khan, likes to make things more difficult than they need to be and likes to mix it up on the inside.
I think it’s highly probably that Peterson will be baited into a fire fight and that’s where it will all go down hill. Garcia will counter and find a home for his monstrous hook that will be all she wrote.
Prediction: Garcia
