Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Saturday, October 12, 2013 live from the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, NV, Timothy Bradley takes on Juan Manuel Marquez in a Welterweight championship bout.
Before the highly anticipated main event between Bradley and Marquez, Top Rank presents three exciting bouts including Seanie Monaghan vs. Anthony Caputo Smith, Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jose Ramirez and Orlando Cruz vs. Orlando Salido.
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 Ed Mullholand/Top Rank
Seanie Monaghan vs. Anthony Caputo Smith
Gabriel Rivas, Contributing Writer
This is a tough fight for both fighters. It will be the first time both fighters fight a person without a terrible record. Despite this, I still have Sean Monaghan winning because he has more fights and is more powerful. Monaghan is undefeated while Smith has one loss. His loss came against Kevin Engel, a man with a low knockout ratio who at that point had a record of 18 wins and 6 losses. Because he has lost to a fighter of a lower caliber than Monaghan I see Smith losing this fight.
Prediction: Monaghan
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I’ve seen both of these fighters in the past. There’s nothing spectacular to say about these two. It’ll be a long, caveman type of fight. I hit you and you hit me will be the name of the game for this bout. Not my favorite fighter, but I’m going with Seanie on this one. He’s the most agile out of the two. I call a win by decision for Monaghan.
Prediction: Monaghan
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This fight is hard for me to judge. I have heard of Smith, but I have never seen him fight. On the other side, I have seen Monaghan’s last three fights in person and he has gotten better with each fight. I’m going with Monaghan by SD.
Prediction: Monaghan
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
This fight appears to be a perfect way to kickoff the TV portion of the fights. Nobody want’s to be put to sleep by watching two slick boxers to open a PPV event. Monaghan is a guy who will go in and throw punches and at the very least provide some entertainment to start off the festivities.
Prediction: Monaghan
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
“Irish” Seanie Monaghan is making his pay-per-view debut and he will be looking to put on an impressive performance. He is, in a way, a “Great White Hope” and already has a huge following in the New York area. His ceiling is not too high, but I believe he has enough to beat Smith in this bout.
Prediction: Monaghan
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Jose Ramirez
Gabriel Rivas, Contributing Writer
Vasyl Lomachenko is a two-time gold medalist who is making his pro debut against Jose Ramirez. This will be a tough fight for Lomachenko against a professional who has 28 fights. As a fan of the sweet science, I believe that Lomachenko, because of his amateur experience, will be able to outbox Ramirez. Ramirez has lost to some less-than-reputable opponents, so it seems that Lomachenko will have a skill advantage. The only thing in question is whether or not he will transition well. Nevertheless, as many other gold medalists have demonstrated, a solid amateur background does wonders for a professional career. Lomachenko via boxing clinic.
Prediction: Lomanchenko
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Lomachenko is a 25-year old former Olympian making his pro debut on the undercard. For a pro debut, to be facing a fighter with such experience and very few losses and to be going 10 rounds is very unusual. Bob Arum has very high confidence in Lomanchenko so I will take him over an experienced Jose Ramirez, who despite 20 plus fights hasn’t really faced any top notch competition. Lomanchenko has, going through two Olympic competitions.
Prediction: Lomanchenko
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I like Lomachenko. I’ve seen him fight in the World Series of Boxing. He’s a fine boxer who can stalk opponents with discipline. I do think he opens up a bit wide in the pocket, which could lead to Ramirez landing a big one. I think he’ll choose an Olympian style for his pro debut, but if he sees any signs of dominance in the ring he’ll definitely go for the big punch and get the knockout. I’m predicting a win for the Olympian by way of decision.
Prediction: Lomanchenko
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This is a funny fight as Lomachenko is making his “Pro-Debut” against Ramirez who is 25-3, 15 KOs even though FightFax has Lomachenko listed as being 6-0 with all his fights being 5 rounders that he fought in World Series of Boxing. Lomachenko is widely considered as the greatest amateur boxer in the history of the sport, sporting a 396-1 record. With the WBO International Featherweight title on the line, I’m going with the new champ.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
The highly anticipated pro debut of two time Russian gold medalist Vasyl Lomachenko is the second fight of the evening. Although there is some debate as to whether or not this indeed is Lomachenko’s pro debut, little doubt exists about his potential and what Top Rank thinks of him. If we are truly to believe this is his pro debut, when is that last time you saw a boxer facing such a seasoned opponent the first time in the ring as a professional? It’s true Ramirez’s resume does not read like a who’s who of contenders, but that fact remains he is a pro with over 25 bouts to his name and I’m sure he is hoping experience counts for something. Lomachenko has talent and that will ultimately prevail, pro debut or not.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Two time Olympic gold medalist, Vasyl Lomachenko is regarded as one of the best amateurs of all time. I would have a harder time giving Lomachenko an edge against a veteran like Ramirez if this truly was his pro debut. But, the fact is that the World Series of Boxing prepared Lomachenko for what he’ll see early on in his career. I like Lomachenko by convincing decision.
Prediction: Lomachenko
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Orlando Salido vs. Orlando Cruz
Gabriel Rivas, Contributing Writer
Although he has problems with crafty boxers such as Yuriorkis Gamboa, Orlando Salido has the chin and the tenacity to take this fight to the distance. He doesn’t have as much power as Mikey Garcia or Robert Guerrero–fighters he has lost to–but does have the determination to take the fight to the distance. Furthermore, I don’t think that Cruz has enough strength or skill to keep Salido off of him enough to outbox him. I predict a win in the later rounds for the more experienced Salido.
Prediction: Salido
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
The battle of Orlando. Orlando Salido vs. Orlando Cruz is for the vacant WBO title.
Cruz hasn’t really been tested yet where we know Salido has faced some of the best
in Juan Ma and Mikey Garcia. I will give this one to Salido via an eighth-round TKO.
Prediction: Salido
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
Personally, this is my main event. Despite coming off a loss versus the highly talented Mickey Garcia last January, you just can’t count out this Mexican brawler. Salido has been in the ring with world-class elite fighters. He tends to be a slow starter so the early rounds will definitely be in Cruz’s favor. Cruz will dance around the ring using his boxing abilities to outbox the Mexican. However, it
won’t take too long for Salido to land one of his wide hooks and determine the fight. A knockout in the 8th round.
Prediction: Salido
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
Cruz will take this. This will be a chess match that he will win. Salido has been in battles during his career, but this will not be one of them. Salido was down four times in his fight with Garcia, and in this fight he may go down once, but will lose it on the cards. Cruz by UD
Prediction: Cruz
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
The last time we saw Salido he was dusting himself off the canvas four times via the precision punching of Mikey Garcia. I don’t think that is a huge indictment of Salido as Garcia appears to be the real deal. Salido is a solid action fighter that is enjoyable to watch. The two times Cruz has stepped up his competition he has not fared well. In the immortal words of Emmitt Smith, he has gotten “Blowed Out.” The question in this fight will be, does Cruz have enough to keep Salido off him? I don’t look for a quick stoppage, but rather a systematic breakdown in what should be a somewhat enjoyable fight to watch.
Prediction: Salido
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
This is a classic “bull vs. matador” fight. Who can make the other guy fight their fight? You have to admire Cruz’s courageousness outside of the ring, being the first openly gay boxer. Our own writer Brendan Montenegro conducted a great interview with Cruz, which you should definitely read. All that being said, I think Salido will have more success coming forward and making this a rough-and-tough brawl than Cruz will have boxing from a distance. Salido by mid-to-late round KO.
Prediction: Salido
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Timothy Bradley vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
Gabriel Rivas, Contributing Writer
Bradley claims to have gotten rid of the chip on his shoulder that nearly cost him his fight with Ruslan Provodnikov. Still, I feel he will still be dragged into a slugfest by the more experienced Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez has proved that he can defeat younger fighters, although he gets hit a lot of times before the win. His fights with Juan Diaz are excellent examples. However, Bradley is faster and stronger than someone like Diaz. His war with Provodnikov and his disputed win with Pacquaio may also have him believing that he can both box and brawl, which may play in his favor. Bradley does have the skillset to defeat Marquez, but despite all of this, I still have Marquez winning. As his last fight showed, one can never rule out a tough Mexican like Marquez.
Prediction: Marquez
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
I think we will see a more cautious Tim Bradley. He has a chin of steel and a heart made out of granite, not to mention quick feet, great endurance, and very fast hands. This will make up for his lack of punching power. If he can move in and out, land his combinations while getting in two or three shots and getting hit once, that will be his formula to win. I think he will do just that, outworking Marquez to a split decision.
Prediction: Bradley
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
Though not the most anticipated fight of the year, Timothy Bradley vs Juan Manuel Marquez will be a promising roller coaster bout. With both fighters coming off big wins, they’ll both be motivated to impose their styles on one another. Bradley’s speed and athleticism will surely dominate in the first rounds, but Dinamita’s ring IQ fueled with experience will eventually turn the fight around. I’m calling a decision win for the future hall of famer, Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez.
Prediction: Marquez
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This is going to be a good fight with Bradley being undefeated and Marquez coming off a huge win against Pacquiao. I see this fight being 12 rounds of hard-nosed boxing. Marquez will not be looking for a knockout knowing that Bradley’s chin is like stone. It will be hard to choose sides, but I will go with Marquez in 12 by SD.
Prediction: Marquez
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
This fight had me on the fence when it was first announced and little has changed. The ageless Mexican legend just keeps going and going and mysteriously–or maybe not–he seems to have added one punch KO power now in his golden years. In my opinion, Bradley holds the key to this fight and he has the ability to make this fight as easy or as hard on himself as he wants. After his highly questionable victory over the PacMan, it seems Bradley had to not only convince others he indeed beat Pacquiao, but he had to convince himself as well. In his subsequent bout with Ruslan Provodnikov he would go toe-to-toe in an all-out action bout with the rugged Russian. When he stood in front of Ruslan he would get himself in trouble time and time again, only to show a champions heart and will. In the middle rounds he somehow would get his legs back and moved better while letting his hands go. Although Bradley is not a classic boxer, he has the ability to stick and move and if we know anything about Marquez it is that those types of fighters give him fits. Marquez is one of the best counter punchers of his era. If Bradley want’s to stink it up I believe he would be able to make his life easier and win a comfortable decision. But seeing Bradley’s last fight and the way he has been talking and his overall instinct to trade at times leads me to believe he is not going to purely box Marquez, but he also can’t go to war. I think that Bradley’s youth will help him and he will employ just enough movement to throw off the future hall-of-famer in a close, close decision. If he decides to stand in front of Marquez and trade, lookout! But, I have Bradley in this one.
Prediction: Bradley
Alex Burgos, Contributing Writer
I think this fights outcome will depend on which version of Timothy Bradley shows up. Bradley has been seeking fan approval and praise throughout his career and he finally got it after his fight of the year candidate bout with Ruslan Provodnikov earlier this year. Will he be the crowd-pleasing fighter we saw against Provodnikov? To have a chance against Marquez, he better not be. Regardless, I think Marquez’s will and ability to counter will carry him to a close decision victory. We may see a few headbutts and or knockdowns before this one is all over and it may get sloppy, but I like the future hall-of-famer to hand Bradley his first defeat.
Prediction: Marquez
