Photo by John Garita/Round By Round Boxing
Saturday, December 7, 2013, HBO presents a boxing triple header, headlined by Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko.
Also in action will be Glen Tapia vs. James Kirkland and Matthew Macklin vs. Lamar Russ.
The HBO telecast kicks off 9:45 pm, EST.
In a separate event being held in Germany, newly crowned IBF Middelweight champion, Darren Barker, defends his strap against veteran fighter Felix Sturm.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each bout.
Click here to view the RBRBoxing staff’s records up to this point.
Photo by Ed Mulholland
James Kirkland vs. Glen Tapia
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
James Kirkland is an exciting action fighter. He finally has a promoter he can get along with in 50 Cent and SMS Promotions. And, he’s been reunited with long-time trainer, Ann Wolfe. I expect a motivated, if not rusty fighter. If he can escape the early rounds I believe his toughness and the crude and harsh training regimen of Wolfe will pay off and carry him to a victory.
Prediction: Kirkland
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
James Kirkland returns to the boxing ring after an unusual long lay-off that included him fighting in court to be released from his promotional company and managerial team. Also, splitting with longtime trainer Ann Wolfe, just to return back to her. He is coming back to fight a tough, up-and-coming fighter in Glen Tapia. Tapia showcased his guts and talents in a back-and-forth war with Abraham Han on ESPN’s Friday Night Fights. The potential is too high in the young Tapia to be derailed by the troubled Kirkland. I have Tapia winning by knockout sometime in this fight.
Prediction: Tapia
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
This is a barn burner. Although coming of the long lay-off, James Kirkland will be out to prove that he is a force to be reckoned with and will not be side tracked by a young and hungry up-and-coming prospect. His pressure will be the key. Glen Tapia is the better boxer of the two and will have to use his jab and the ring to keep Kirkland at bay. Tapia should stay away from rough exchanges, but that may be very difficult against a guy like Kirkland.
Prediction: Kirkland
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
This fight is a big step up for Glen Tapia and he states he is ready and has been waiting for a fight like this. Question is, is this too big of a step up? The answer is no. Taking nothing away from Tapia or James Kirkland, this fight is perfect for Tapia as Kirkland has been inactive for 19 months, has not even been in the gym, put on a lot of weight, and has had a lot on his mind legally. Plus side is that he has Ann Wolf as his trainer again, and she definitely whooped him into shape. Tapia should not look to bang, as Kirkland will make him pay, but the ring rust will show and Tapia will take advantage.
Prediction: Tapia
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Glen Tapia looks to make a statement against James Kirkland. Kirkland looks to get his career back on track and has gone back to his old trainer Ann Wolfe. The concern for Kirkland is ring rust. James tends to start slow as it is and can hit the deck early. Tapia, for his part, is a big rugged fighter and look for him to come out and try and hurt Kirkland early. If James can survive the first few rounds he has a shot, but I think the layoff and all the outside distractions have caught up to him.
Prediction: Tapia
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Out of all the fights going down on Saturday night, this one is the most difficult one for me to pick. Glen Tapia is the young gun, James Kirkland is the tough-as-nails veteran. Aside from all the drama Kirkland’s been through with promoters and companies which can drive anyone crazy, he’s been inactive since March of 2012. That’s tough for any guy to overcome. To Kirkland’s credit, he’s not wasting anytime with an easy tune up. If Tapia can control the pace early on and make Kirkland work, he will be setting himself up for a good late-round victory. But, if Kirkland can bate Tapia into a shootout early on, all hell could break loose and either man can score a KO victory. I’m betting that Tapia will be able to dictate the pace and fight his fight. Either way, this should be fun to watch.
Prediction: Tapia
Photo by Ed Mulholland
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Joseph Agbeko
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeaux is riding high from his victory over Nonito Donaire. HBO didn’t necessarily embrace Rigo when he first won the title and it took him a while before Top Rank could land him another TV fight. Now he has one and it’s against a game-veteran opponent in Joseph Agbeko. Agbeko has lost a few fights at the top level of the division recently and this will be an interesting challenge. But the quickness, the slickness, ring smarts and power of Rigo will be too much for the Pride of Ghana, who has apparently been training at the Mayweather gym. Roger, Floyd Sr. and Floyd Jr. can’t save Agbeko from the beating he will take Saturday night in AC.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeux will be defending his WBA, WBO and Ring championship belts against tough contender Joseph Agbeko. Agbeko is a tough SOB who has been in hellacious fights in the past, but none can prepare him for the 2-time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba. I have Rigondeaux defeating his by late TKO in a great showcase fight for him.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeaux is the better boxer in this fight. He is riding high into this fight after a dominant performance against a former top five pound-for-pound fighter in Nonito Donaire. Joseph Agbeko has been in some tough fights in the past, but his pressure will be a big key to success. Agbeko is not facing a guy like Abner Mares, who can pressure and do a little boxing, but a superior and elite boxer with great defense.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
Guillermo Rigondeaux is a beast. Joseph Agebeko called Rigo out at the final presser to come and brawl, he wants a banger because he may think that is his only chance of winning. I don’t see Rigondeaux banging, and there is no need for it as most Cuban fights enjoy the real sight of the sweet science. It’s called boxing, hit and try not to be hit. Even with Roger Mayweather training Agbeko, there is no chance of him beating Rigondeaux. Roger made Agbeko a better fighter for other fights, but for this fight, it will be another boxing clinic that Rigondeaux puts on.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Joseph Agbeko must make this an ugly street fight if he has any shot of beating Guillermo Rigondeaux. Rigondeaux might be a bit unorthodox, but he is a master technician in the ring. Agbeko better not try and get cute and outbox the boxer. Agbeko needs to come forward be aggressive and make this as much as a brawl as he can. Grab, clutch and punch. He still could get picked apart, but this gives him his best shot in my opinion. Rigondeaux will do what he does. He has no concerns about being flashy but let’s see if he tries to put on any type of show for the crowd. I believe Rigondeaux will use his ring intelligence to outbox and outmaneuver Agbeko.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Guillermo Rigondeaux is the best boxer in the sport, outside of Floyd Mayweather. He will not let a little pre-fight gamesmanship from Joseph Agbeko let him get off his game. Even though it took a lot of work from his team to land a fight on HBO, I think Rigondeaux will continue to do what he does best and that is box. If it’s not broke, why fix it? Rigondeaux will win in dominant fashion, but he won’t become a star, and that is unfortunate. Rigondeaux is too dominant and too good for his own good.
Prediction: Rigondeaux
Photo by Daniel Maurer
Darren Barker vs. Felix Sturm
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
IBF champion Darren Barker will be traveling to his opponent’s backyard in Germany, to fight aging Felix Sturm. I believe Barker’s power and pressure will be too much for the old veteran and hopefully this will be last time we see Sturm who has been fighting professionally since January 2001.
Prediction: Barker
Jose Sotomayor, Contributing Writer
Darren Barker was hurt against Daniel Geale, but got right back up and finished an outstanding comeback to win a title. Felix Sturm has the skills to outbox Barker, but lacks the power to put a gritty man like Barker away. Barker’s heart will once again prove too much for his opposition.
Prediction: Barker
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
After watching Darren Barker taking a liver shot from Daniel Geale and getting up, I firmly believe this will be a fairly easy fight for Barker. In my eyes, Felix Strum is not as good a fighter as people may think. It will be a good fight, but Barker is not letting anyone take the title from him.
Prediction: Barker
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Darren Barker makes the first defense of his title vs. battle tested Felix Sturm. Even though Sturm’s fight vs. Sam Soliman was changed to a NC he has started to look his age recently. Even in his last fight, which he won by KO, he was down early on the cards. I like Barker to take the fight to Sturm and win by decision.
Prediction: Barker
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Darren Barker has balls. There is nothing more epic than seeing a guy go down like Barker did against Daniel Geale, then get up and win the fight of his life. I think he’s riding high after that victory and that confidence will carry over into this bout. Felix Sturm’s best days are behind him and aside from a shady decision, I think Barker wins this easily.
Prediction: Barker
