Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Saturday, November 9, 2013, Top Rank and HBO bring boxing fans an exciting triple header featuring Demetrius Andrade vs. Vanes Martirosyan, Nonito Donaire vs. Vic Darchinyan and Mikey Garcia vs. Rocky Martinez.
In the first fight of the night, Andrade and Martirosyan try to prove that they are upper echelon fighters and worthy of more television time.
The second bout of the night features the return of the “Filipino Flash” Donaire as he takes on “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan in a rematch, which is seven years in the making.
Finally, the main event is championship bout between Garcia and Martinez. Garcia will look to move up in weight and take Martinez’s WBO Super Featherweight title.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Saturday nights exciting triple header.
Click here to view the RBRBoxing staff’s records up to this point.
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Demetrius Andrade vs. Vanes Martirosyan
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I like Vanes Martitosyan. However, I feel that he’s just too slow for the crafty southpaw Demetrius Andrade. Andrade will establish dominance in the early rounds using his speedy jab and footwork and secure a decision win.
Prediction: Andrade
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
In this fight, Martirosyan will need to intelligently pressure his opponent. I don’t think he can sit back and let Andrade pick him apart. Although Martirosyan did face Erislandy Lara, neither fighter has faced consistent top-tier competition so it will be interesting to see how both handle this bout. I see Andrade, with his southpaw stance and movement, being able to give Martirosyan trouble by sticking and moving. I believe Martirosyan will need to fight “desperate.” He may not get many more chances on the cable giants so he needs to seize the moment. Thus far he has had solid, if not an unspectacular career and he needs to do something special to elevate his brand. Andrade, for his part wants the scalp of a solid undefeated contender under his belt and I think he gets it. His athletic skills and movement will keep Martirosyan off balance and I see a workman like decision for “Boo Boo.”
Prediction: Andrade
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
A lot of people are giving Demetrius Andrade the edge because of his boxing ability, but I think Vanes Martirosyan is really determined to prove himself to skeptics. Martirosyan is the more experienced professional and he has enough power to earn Andrade’s respect. Both men will be hungry because the vacant WBO title is up for grabs and a convincing win will undoubtedly bring bigger fights. If Martirosyan can impose his will and make Andrade respect his power, I like Martirosyan by close decision.
Prediction: Martirosyan
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Nonito Donaire vs. Vic Darchinyan
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
This fight will only be a replay of their first fight. Darchinyan hasn’t really evolved as a fighter. There is no difference in his style, which is pretty much tailored for Donaire. Darchinyan often repeats his combinations, which will make him too predictable and vulnerable for the Filipino flash to counter all night. I have this bout a TKO in the 8th for Nonito.
Prediction: Donaire
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
This rematch has been years in the making and it took Nonito Donaire losing to Rigo for Vic Darchinyan to finally get the rematch he has sought for so long. Unfortunately for Darchinyan I think this rematch is a few years late for him. Donaire is a gifted fighter, but has the ability to stink it up. Darchinyan must stay within himself and the fact that he has wanted this fight so bad for so long may actually work against him. Although Donaire is coming off surgery he is finally granting Darchinyan the rematch because he suspects the older fighters best days are behind him. I see Donaire playing the “Matador” to Darchinyan’s “Raging Bull” and possibly gaining another stoppage.
Prediction: Donaire
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Nonito Donaire should be able to handle a passed his prime Vic Darchinian. It’s a rematch of their first fight from seven years ago when Darchinian was rolling through the division and was a hot and prime fighter. This time around I expect a healthy and focused Filipino Flash to be better prepared, and hungry to look good after taking an ugly loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux earlier this year.
Prediction: Donaire
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Although Nonito Donaire had built himself all the way up to a top five pound-for-pound ranking, his recent loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux now has some boxing fans questioning his ability. Boxing is all about “what have you done for me lately and the most recent memory that fans have of Donaire is him getting schooled by El Chacal. I think Donaire will be in top shape and focused on knocking Vic Darchinyan out in spectacular fashion. Darchinyan wants to prove that this rematch isn’t coming too late in his career, but that will be tough to do. Darchinyan is a stalker and that will play into Donaire’s hands. I expect Donaire to score a big, one-sided victory.
Prediction: Donaire
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Mikey Garcia vs. Rocky Martinez
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
This is definitely a win for Mikey Garcia. Rocky’s toughness just isn’t enough to surpass Garcia’s talent. Garcia is part of a new breed of Mexican-American fighters. Fighters who can win with brawn as well as with brains. Garcia takes this win with an eighth or ninth round TKO.
Prediction: Garcia
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
In the main event, rising star Mikey Garcia will seek his second world title vs. Rocky Martinez. Martinez is a tough, gritty fighter who will not give up his belt easily. I view Garcia as a real blue chipper who has been on a roll recently. Martinez has a propensity to brawl and is always there to be hit. He may want to employ some lateral movement because one thing we know about Garcia is that he is a sniper. If Martinez elects to come straight forward he will have his work cut out. Effective aggressiveness will be the key for Martinez. If he tries to brawl, Garcia will just pick him apart, and from what I have seen from both fighters that is exactly how this will play out. Martinez will start out boxing–which by-the-way his boxing ability is underrated–but will at some point abandon boxing and come forward and this will be his undoing. Garcia is patient, accurate and has power and this–among other reasons–is why he will be victorious on Saturday night.
Prediction: Garcia
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Mikey Garcia had troubles making weight for his fight against Juan Manuel Lopez and lost a title on the scales. Hopefully, with new fitness coach Alex Ariza, he will be fit and ready to go. Although this should be a tough fight, I expect another win for Garcia.
Prediction: Garcia
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Rocky Martinez has been the benefactor of questionable decisions in his two most recent bouts. I thought he lost to Juan Carlos Burgos without a doubt, and I had Diego Magdaleno winning by a slight margin. I think Martinez’s luck will run out against Mikey Garcia. Garcia is at the doorstep of boxing’s elite, and–ala Biggie Smalls–he’s ready to “Kick in the Door.” This kid has the speed, power and precision to give anyone fits and I believe he will put on an impressive performance against Puerto Rico’s last champion. If you don’t have Garcia on your pound-for-pound list, after this bout, you will.
Prediction: Garcia
