Saturday, March 29, 2014, live from the Ballroom at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, NJ, WBO Light Heavyweight World Titlist Sergey “Krusher” Kovalev (23-0-1, 21KOs) and Cedric Agnew (26-0-0, 13 KOs) go head-to-head in a 12-round bout.
Agnew looks to stop one of the most prolific knockout artists in the game today, while Kovalev looks to continue building towards the elite status in boxing.
The telecast will begin live on HBO Boxing After Dark at 10 pm, EST/PST with a very intriguing matchup between Thomas Dulorme (20-1, 14 KOs) and Karim Mayfield (18-0-1, 11 KOs).
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for Kovalev vs. Agnew and Mayfield vs. Dulorme.
Header photo by Ed Mulholland
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Karim Mayfield vs. Thomas Dulorme
Photo by Ed Mulholland
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
I’m excited about this fight. Thomas Dulorme is an awesome fighter with good fundamentals to his name. Unfortunately, he has a flaw that in boxing you either have it or you don’t, and that’s the ability to take shots comfortably. Dulorme tends to shy away after getting caught with a couple of good punches. I think Karim Mayfield will definitely catch up to this weakness and capitalize on it. I see a late knockout in favor of Mayfield.
Prediction: Mayfield
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
This is should be a solid matchup to get us warmed up for Kovalev’s main event fight. I expect Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield to prevail by unanimous decision. An impressive win could bring him closer to being thought of in Top Rank’s circle of Welterweight fighters (Bradley, Pacquiao, Provodnikov, Alvarado, Rios etc.) and Bob Arum definitely needs another fresh face to add to that group because he’s running out of in house matchups to setup between 140-147. It wouldn’t be a bad thing if Thomas Dulorme won because he’s nine-years younger. But, I imagine HBO would be very interested in showcasing the winner of this fight no matter who it is.
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
On the undercard, Karim Mayfield takes on Thomas Dulorme of Puerto Rico. Mayfield, holding an undefeated record and Dulorme having one loss against Luis Carlos Abregu many fights ago, I see this as close a matchup. Mayfield’s awkwardness and rough tactics can make any fight he is in look ugly and I’m just not so sold on Dulorme’s ability to adjust mid-fight, even with veteran trainer, Robert Garcia in his corner. I have Mayfield winning a close 10-Round decision over the Puerto Rican.
Prediction: Mayfield
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
I’ll be honest, I’m not very excited about this fight. Mayfield has had some recent momentum and he will look to continue his winning ways against former top prospect Thomas Dulorme. Dulorme was KO’d in his only loss and look for Mayfield to check that chin early and often. Dulorme needs this fight so I think he will give a good effort, but his style is nothing Mayfield has not seen. I see Mayfield being able to land hard shots and outpointing Dulorme.
Prediction: Mayfield
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I was excited when I heard this matchup was made. I think this will tell us a lot about both men. If Thomas Dulorme can box effectively and withstand the power shots that Karim Mayfield will undoubtedly bring, it may go a long way in making people forget his loss to Luis Carlos Abregu. Mayfield on the other hand is older and is ready to enter into the upper echelon of the division but he needs an impressive win. I think Dulorme’s youth, technical skill and range will help carry him to victory. Having Robert Garcia in your corner doesn’t hurt either.
Prediction: Dulorme
Sergey Kovalev vs. Cedric Agnew
Photo by Rich Graessle/Main Events
Lenin Acevedo, Photographer
A potential good fight here. Cedric Agnew has the physical tools to perhaps surprise the masses. On the other hand, I feel like he might be a bit too green to handle a bully like Sergey Kovalev. Kovalev has great ring generalship and knows how to cut the ring off very well. The skates won’t be enough for Agnew to win this fight. Kovalev takes this in the mid-rounds by KO.
Prediction: Kovalev
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
If Sergey Kovalev can stay focused now that a possibility of a matchup with him and Adonis Stevenson is essentially gone he has a chance to become HBO’s main attraction at 175 pounds. Maybe a shot at Andre Ward or Carl Froch could be down the line. Just getting a win isn’t what’s important, it’s doing it in a spectacular way so that he can fill the void left by Stevenson.
Prediction: Kovalev
Gabriel Polanco, Contributing Writer
Sergey Kovalev puts his WBO Light Heavyweight Title on the line against undefeated, yet unknown contender Cedric Agnew. Agnew, holds an unblemished record, yet his biggest win to date is a decision over a past his prime Yusaf Mack. I don’t think anyone can stop the Krusher, with this fight not going past six, Kovalev will knock Agnew out viciously.
Prediction: Kovalev
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Sergey Kovalev has been on an absolute tear as of late. Look for Kovalev to make easy work out of Cedric Agnew. I think when fighting someone like Kovalev you either need to be a master technician or a hard punching badass yourself, Agnew is neither. Look for Kovalev to put on a show.
Prediction: Kovalev
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Sergey Kovalev is a monster. In my opinion, he is the best 175-pound fighter in the world. Cedric Agnew’s best win is against a past-his-prime Yusaf Mack in April of 2013. Before that, Agnew fought four out of five fights that were scheduled for six rounds or less. In short, he’s not ready for this type of jump up in competition. Kovalev will continue his KO ways with an impressive show against Agnew. The real question on Saturday night will be, who’s next for “Krusher?”
Prediction: Kovalev
