Photo by Alex Burgos/Round By Round Boxing
On Saturday, April 19, 2014, a 12-round Light Heavyweight unification bout between Bernard “The Alien” Hopkins (54-6-2, 32 KOs) and Beibut Shumenov (14-1, 9 KOs) for the IBF, WBA and IBA Championships headlines an exciting Showtime Championship Boxing triple-header.
The boxing event–which will take place at the DC Armory in Washington, D.C. and is promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila–also includes a 12-round title bout co-feature as Shawn Porter (23-0-1, 14 KOs) defends his IBF Welterweight strap against former world champion, Paulie Malignaggi (33-5, 7 KOs).
Opening up the televised portion of the card on Showtime will be Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (30-0, 22 KOs) against Lukas Konecny (50-4, 23 KOs) as Quillin defends his WBO Middleweight title.
The live telecast will begin at 9 pm, EST/PST on Showtime.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each bout.
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Peter Quillin vs. Lukas Konecny
Photo by Alex Burgos/Round By Round Boxing
Jordan Echavez, Contributing Writer
For Peter Quillin vs. Lukas Konecny, I’m going to go with Kid Chocolate via knockout just based on the fact that Lukas doesn’t have much of a resume. It looks like it’s
supposed to be a showcase fight for Quillin, but honestly it’s just a wild guess for me since I really don’t know much about Konecny. The only name I did notice on his record was Serhey Dzinziruk, whom he lost to.
Prediction: Quillin
Gino Garcia, Staff Writer
Peter Quillin vs. Lukas Konecny is not likely to go the distance in my opinion. I think that Quillin outshines his opponent winning in Round 7 by TKO.
Prediction: Quillin
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I believe this fight to be somewhat of a test for Peter Quillin. Lukas Konecny isn’t the most popular fighter, but he’s been around the block and carries a lot of experience. Don’t be surprised if he creates trouble. Quillin should really take a boxer’s approach in this fight and cruise to a decision win. Quillin by decision.
Prediction: Quillin
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
If Peter Quillin is one of the best Middleweight’s in the world–which he has no problem telling you he is–he should wipe the floor with Lukas Konecny. Konecny has amature experience and over 50 fights, so he’s not a complete hack, but he doesn’t have anything for the WBO champion.
Prediction: Quillin
Shawn Porter vs. Paulie Malignaggi
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Jordan Echavez, Contributing Writer
For Paulie Malignaggi vs. Shawn Porter, I’m gonna go with a unanimous decision for Porter. Malignaggi is an excellent boxer, but Porter knows how to make it ugly in there, which can give Paulie a ton of problems. Plus, Porter is the bigger man being that he came down from 154 pounds.
Prediction: Porter
Gino Garcia, Staff Writer
Paulie Malignaggi vs. Shawn Porter is the fight that I really want to see. Although I see this as a very close matchup in skill, I think Malignaggi’s lack of power will be the deciding factor. I think Malignaggi will hit the canvas at least once during this bout. Porter wins by unanimous decision.
Prediction: Porter
Lenin Acevdeo, Photographer
It’s always good to see the “Magic Man” in action. He’s a very underrated fighter. In my opinion he’s one of the best. In terms of style this fight shouldn’t be hard for Malignaggi. Shawn Porter reminds me of Andre Berto. He’s very stiff and at times over aggressive. Malignaggi will definitely capitalize on these flaws and and earn a victory by UD.
Prediction: Malignaggi
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
The “Magic Man” showed up to the weigh in wearing nothing but an elephant trunk covering his private area. Will he be able to throw another title in his trunk? I think so. I think his busy hands and experience will be enough to squeak out a split decision victory over newly crowned champion Shawn Porter.
Prediction: Malignaggi
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Shawn Porter is young and hungry and barring any weight issues–which he may have after seeing him on the scales on Friday–he should be able to bring the fight and make it an uncomfortable night for Paulie Malignaggi. Malignaggi is a master boxer and a tremendous ring general, but I think the younger, scrappier guy will win.
Prediction: Porter
Bernard Hopkins vs. Beibut Shumenov
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Jordan Echavez, Contributing Writer
And for the main event I’ll go with Bernard Hopkins via unanimous decision over Beibut Shumenov. Too much experience for the seemingly ageless “Alien.” It should be fun to watch though because Shumenov is no push over, but I feel Hopkins has all the tools to neutralize his opponent.
Prediction: Hopkins
Gino Garcia, Staff Writer
Bernard Hopkins vs. Beibut Shumenov should certainly be an exciting match up. A true veteran takes on a young, hard-hitting giant. In the end, I think experience wins this fight. I am going with Hopkins by split decision.
Prediction: Hopkins
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I haven’t seen enough of Beibut Shumenov to really give him a chance. In his last fight he looked good, but against a future hall of famer I don’t think that’ll be enough. I see Bernard Hopkins frustrating Shumenov with ring tactics and essentially winning by decision.
Prediction: Hopkins
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Bernard Hopkins vs. Beibut Shumenov is the same story line. How is Hopkins able to beat the clock, father time, gravity. Why is he still fighting? Why aren’t these younger fighters that are 20-25 years his junior not blowing him out? More of the same result this Saturday as “The Alien” will prevail in his first stop on the quest to unifying the Light Heavyweight division.
Prediction: Hopkins
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
What can I say about this fight. If it were anyone else, it would be ridiculous to sit here and try to rationalize picking a 49-year old boxer. But Bernard Hopkins is no ordinary boxer or man. He’s a legend and on Saturday night, Beibut Shumenov will find out firsthand why. I think Hopkins lands the cleaner shots with his angles and ring generalship frustrating the WBA champion.
Prediction: Hopkins
