Naoki Fukada
The mega-event of the year, The One: Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez is only two days away. Saturday, September 14 will undoubtedly be a memorable evening and may possibly break the pay-per-view record set by Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather.
Round By Round Boxing is just as excited–if not more–than all of you fans and we look forward to bringing you coverage throughout the night.
Read on for our staff predictions and let us know who you think will win each fight.
Golden Boy Promotions
Ashley Theophane vs. Pablo Cesar Cano
Lenin Santana, Photographer/Contributing Writer
Despite his losing streak, Cano is my pick for this bout. Cano is coming into this fight with toughness, youth, and superior punching power. Cano will stalk Theophane and end this bout with fifth-or-sixth-round knockout.
Pick: Cano
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Pablo Cano has faced better competition, although he usually comes up short. With losses to Mosley, Morales, and Malignaggi, he will bring lots of experience to the ring. Theophane, on the other hand, has an awkward style and has even faced an opponent with a staggering record of 22-116-7, 5 KOs. Theophane, who is used to fighting nobodies with horrible records, will be in for a rude awakening when he steps into the ring with Cano. Pablo Cano by late-round TKO.
Pick: Cano
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
I think this guy [Theophane] is a sparring partner of Mayweather’s so he’s getting some pretty good work in the gym. With that I will give him a slight advantage over a probably shot fighter in Pablo Cesar Cano.
Pick: Theophane
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
Cano is a banger and definitely has the ability to knockout Theophane. Cano by knockout.
Pick: Cano
John Garita, Photographer/Contributing Writer
Ashley Theophane by 12-round UD.
Pick: Theophane
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Ashley Theophane isn’t very well known, but he has tons of skills. He dropped a tough split decision to Danny Garcia in 2010 and I think he has enough in the tank to top Pablo Cano.
Pick: Theophane
Golden Boy Promotions
Ishe Smith vs. Carlos Molina
Lenin Santana, Photographer/Contributing Writer
Coming of a victory versus Cornelious “K9” Bundrage, newly crowned IBF Light Middleweight champion, Ishe “Sugar Shay” Smith is my winner versus Carlos Molina this Sept 14th. With both height advantage and reach advantage I predict Sugar Shay to win this fight by decision.
Pick: Smith
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Ishe Smith has a great chin and is great on the inside, but I feel Carlos Molina has fought the better fighters. Molina has fought James Kirkland, Kermit Cintron, Erislandy Lara, Chavez Jr. (twice), and Mike Alvarado. Smith has only fought Fernando Guerrero, Cornelius Bundrage, Sergio Mora and a very young Alfonso Gomez. This is a close fight that will likely go the distance because both have a great chin and both do not have a high knockout percentage. I have Molina winning because he has fought the tougher opponents the most amount of times and because Ishe’s often stationary position will allow Molina to score more points. Molina by UD.
Pick: Molina
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Ishe Smith wins over Molina. I mean, it’s a TMT event, unless Ishe Smith throws up all over himself in the ring, the judges will find a way to get him this decision if it makes that far.
Pick: Smith
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
I really like Ishe Smith as a fighter, but I don’t see him getting past this fight. Molina is heading into this fight looking to do damage and I believe he will do it.
Pick: Molina
John Garita, Photographer/Contributing Writer
Ishe Smith by 12-round UD.
Pick: Smith
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
I’ve been an Ishe Smith fan since his days on The Contender. It was great seeing him earn a well-deserved title against “K9” Bundrage, but it was brutally slow and awkward. I suspect this fight will be just as bad as Molina (who I also like) is an awkward fighter who doesn’t necessarily make for fan-friendly fights. I think when things get rough and tough on the inside, Ishe gets rattled, and Molina feeds off that. I like Molina to take the title by decision.
Pick: Molina
Gino Garcia, Contributing Writer
Ishe Smith is determined to defend his newly obtained title. I think Carlos Molina will present some challenges to Smith in the early rounds. I don’t see this fight being stopped early due to a knockout. I think in the end, Smith will gain his momentum and gain a SD victory in this bout. This is definitely going to be a classic boxing match.
Pick: Smith
Golden Boy Promotions
Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse
Lenin Santana, Photographer/Contributing Writer
If you’ve ever played baseball, you’ll understand my analogy on Danny Garcia. I feel that Garcia is like that underestimated slow lobbed baseball that homerun hitters get too excited for and miss. Unfortunately for Danny, Matthysse is not that type of batter; this man does not take any fighter lightly. Matthysse has too much power, he has experience with tougher opposition, and overall he’s just a much tougher fighter. I give credit to Garcia, he does have a tough spirit, but I’m going with an eighth-round stoppage in favor of Lucas Matthysse.
Pick: Matthysse
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Danny Garcia has the boxing skill and the power to defeat Lucas Matthysse. However, although he hasn’t been swept up by the “hype” surrounding Matthysse, he will nonetheless try to prove to himself and to boxing fans that he can stand and bang with Matthysse. I don’t see Garcia trying to outbox him. He will likely stand there and trade, taking shots that he might not recover from. Lucas Matthysse by late-round TKO.
Pick: Matthysse
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Danny Garcia doesn’t do one thing great, he does everything pretty well. Matthysse has hellacious power. I think Garcia’s boxing skill and heart, will make this fight go about eight rounds, but in the end I think Matthyse’s power will win out. KO in Round 9 for Matthysse.
Pick: Matthysse
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This may be a tougher fight to call then Mayweather vs. Alvarez. Matthysse is a banger and definitely has the ability to knockout Garcia, but he has lost two fights that have gone the distance. I don’t see him knocking out Garcia as Garcia can definitely take a punch. Garcia also fights smart and has power. I don’t see him knocking out Matthysse, but I definitely see him landing some good punches that force Matthysse to change his game plan. Garcia by split decision.
Pick: Garcia
John Garita, Photographer/Contributing Writer
The biggest challenge for Danny Garcia will be not to exchange with Lucas Matthysse. Garcia needs to establish the jab early in the fight to keep the distance, Garcia needs to exhibit the underrated boxing skills he posses, and most importantly he needs to connect with the left hook to end the fight. The Argentine powerhouse, Matthysse will bring explosive power, heavy hands, and boxing skills (which I believe are very underrated). At the end Matthysse will be reach for a body shot, which will leave him open and Garcia’s deadly left hook will send Matthysse to the canvas. Garcia will be victorious by an impressive knockout over Matthysse, by TKO in Round 6.
Pick: Garcia
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
This is the fight of the night for me. The X Factor is going to be how well each man can take the others punch. If Matthysse can take Garcia’s hooks without being rattled or badly hurt, he will employ his plodding, come-forward strategy. I have a feeling that will be the case and Matthysse will walk the undefeated champion down and score a sixth-round TKO.
Pick: Matthysse
Gino Garcia, Contributing Writer
Although Lucas Matthysse is a heavy handed, skilled fighter, I think Danny Garcia will outlast him. Garcia is a very mindful and crafty fighter. I believe it is Garcia’s timing that will put him over the edge for a victorious 12 round decision.
Pick: Garcia
Naoki Fukada
Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez
Lenin Santana, Photographer/Contributing Writer
As a fan of Mexican boxing, my heart tells me Canelo, but my logic tells me otherwise. Canelo has great tools for a fighter. He’s tough, young, extremely powerful , and proved in his last bout that he can out box a boxer . However, stamina is a weapon that is not part of his arsenal. A weapon that is necessary to beat Mayweather. I can see this fight going pass the sixth round and when it does, it’ll become a boxing clinic. Mayweather will use his athleticism, superior stamina and phenomenal boxing skills to break down young Canelo. This fight will go to the cards and Mayweather’s record will read 45-0.
Pick: Mayweather
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
I really like Saul Alvarez. I’ve been a fan since his fight with Jose Miguel Cotto and have watched him grow into an excellent fighter. However, it is not his time. Floyd Mayweather will outbox him, deal with any pressure Alvarez brings to him, and win what will be a tough fight. This will not be a war–it will be a chess match in which Mayweather demonstrates his mental, as well as physical, capabilities. Despite my prediction, however, I realize that anything can happen. Alvarez is a natural Junior Middleweight and if he catches Mayweather with a solid right hand, Mayweather might go to sleep. That’s if he lands it, though. Floyd Mayweather by split decision.
Pick: Mayweather
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
I think Canelo’s ability to fight in bursts will help him steal a few rounds. If Mayweather fights him like he fought Cotto, this fight will be tricky for him, and he may get caught with something not so nice to the body. If he fights Canelo like he fought Guerrero, then I imagine it will difficult for Canelo to find him with solid shots to the body that are his bread and butter. I think Money May, with his father as his trainer, will fight with self preservation in mind and aim more to not get hit and score, rather than meeting Canelo in the center of the ring for a big brawl. Look for Canelo to counter Mayweather with a big hook to the body. If he can land this punch a few times in the fight he may have a punchers chance. UD 8 rounds to 4 in favor of Money May.
Pick: Mayweather
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
If the event are true that Mayweather is coming into the fight with hurt ribs and a damaged hand, then I see him running most of the night. I’m taking Alvarez in this one, as he can take a punch and definitely deliver a knockout blow. Alvarez by knockout in the later rounds.
Pick: Canelo
John Garita, Photographer/Contributing Writer
On September 14 Floyd “Money” Mayweather (44-0, 26 KOs) will fight Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOs) in a epic showdown live in Las Vegas. Mayweather will encounter a different breed of fighter who is only 23, yet poised and collected. Canelo packs strength, speed, and hard hitting punches. In order for Canelo to win he must pressure, and attack all night. Mayweather, 36, the best skilled fighter in boxing right now has been collecting titles and beating champions for over 17 years. Mayweather possesses impeccable defense, incredible footwork, and quick punches. Mayweather will adjust to Canelo after the fourth or fifth round and begin to break down Canelo to the 12th round. The fight will end in a draw, but would the fight be good to sell a rematch?
Pick: Draw
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Make no mistake, Canelo looks strong and has been great in training. But, I cannot let the hype and magnitude of this event change my mind. I have never watched a Canelo fight and said “wow, that guy is incredible.” In fact, after his bout with Trout, I was highly disappointed. If Canelo has somehow fixed his stamina issues and isn’t affected by the few extra pounds he has to lose, he will be a “live dog” against Mayweather, and in boxing, anything can happen. But, if this is the same Canelo we have seen in the past, then why would Mayweather have any trouble with him? We know Floyd, we know what he can do, and that for me is enough to be convinced that he will win a split decision.
Pick: Mayweather
Gino Garcia, Contributing Writer
For the main event, I have to go with the underdog. On paper, Floyd Mayweather–in my opinion–holds all the cards. It is however Las Vegas and I feel that Canelo has the ability and will shock the world with an early stoppage in the seventh round. Yup, I’m rolling the dice!
Pick: Canelo
