Friday, September 11, 2015, Adonis Stevenson (26-1, 21 KOs) takes on relatively unknown challenger Tommy Karpency (25-4-1, 14 KOs) in a 12-round bout for Stevenson’s lineal and WBC Light Heavyweight title.
The bout will be aired live on the latest edition of Premier Boxing Champions on Spike and will be preceded by Errol Spence Jr. (17-0, 14 KOs) vs. Chris van Heerden (23-1-1, 12 KOs).
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for each bout and let us know who think will win.
Errol Spence Jr.
vs.
Chris van Heerden
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
Bright young prospect and Floyd Mayweather protégé Errol Spence Jr. (17-0, 14 KOs) also is in action tomorrow night against Canadian Chris van Heerden (23-1-1, 12 KOs).
As would appear the prevailing theme of this card, both fighters are also southpaws.
While van Heerden has held the IBO Welterweight belt and holds a respectable victory over Matthew Hatton, he is in for a rough night against Spence.
van Heerden is durable, however and is not there to be completely blown out.
Spence should either score a late stoppage or secure a comfortable decision.
Prediction: Spence
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
Little is known about Chris van Heerden as he is a South African prospect who moved to the United States to further his boxing career and isn’t a household name yet. He now trains under Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood where he has been a sparring partner of Miguel Cotto. van Heerden also served as a sparring partner for Canelo Alverez in his preparation for Erislandy Lara. His involvement with these camps should prepare him for a high level of opposition like Errol Spence.
I am probably the only one that hasn’t bought the Spence hype. In his last fight he dominated Phil Lo Greco with a third round knockout. What many people overlooked is that Lo Greco was a last minute replacement. I think Spence’s desire for title shot is bigger than his current skills; I don’t see him as being ready for the likes of Floyd Mayweather, Keith Thurman or even Shawn Porter.
This fight will be a great test for the true skill level of Spence and if he is indeed able to make easy work of van Heerden then he should put himself in line for a possible title shot and I will gladly join everyone else on the Spence bandwagon. I see this fight being a challenge for Spence and going the distance. I think Spence will put out a victory on the scorecards, but I don’t see it being easy work.
Prediction: Spence
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Both Errol Spence and Chris van Heerden are southpaws and have only one loss between the two.
I’m looking for Spence to outbox Heerden and win via decision.
Prediction: Spence
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Errol Spence is the acclaimed prospect being talked about like he’s cut from the Leonard or Mayweather ilk. Chris van Heerden is an unheard of contender.
Don’t know when his handlers are going to take Spence’s training wheels off and put him a meaningful fight (because it isn’t this one), but I doubt the IBF No. 8 ranked South African has anything in the arsenal to deflate Spence’s rising momentum.
Prediction: Spence
Kai Piercy, Staff Writer
Boxer-puncher Errol Spence Jr. is a fantastic talent, and against a decent fighter in Chris van Heerden, it’s a good chance to showcase his skills and snatch the headlines away from the main bout.
But I think his opponent is good enough to last the distance, and make it competitive.
Still, a comfortable points victory for a future star of the welterweight division.
Prediction: Spence
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I’m already sold on Errol Spence Jr. I think he’s got the size, athleticism and talent to be a boxing star. If he’s able to pound Chris van Heerden into submission like he has his last four opponents, he’ll be making a serious statement.
I don’t van Heerden is an elite talent, but he is good. Spence takes this one by working his long jab and putting together combinations to the body.
Prediction: Spence
Adonis Stevenson
vs.
Tommy Karpency
Photo by Chris So/Toronto Star
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (26-1-21 Kos)steps back into the ring tomorrow night to take on little known challenger Tommy “Kryptonite” Karpency (25-4-1 14 Kos).
If nothing else Karpency wins the battle of the nicknames.
Karpency has been in with good fighters such as Chad Dawson (W10), Karo Murat (L12), Nate Cleverly (L12) and has Andrezej Fonfara in common with Stevenson though “Kryptonite” was stopped in 7.
Fonfara gave Stevenson plenty of trouble during their fight and even dropped him on his way to dropping a close decision.
Don’t expect the judges to play a big role in this battle of the Southpaws. After a couple of slow rounds Stevenson will open up on Karpency and earn a stoppage victory.
Prediction: Stevenson
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
Adonis Stevenson is looking to step up his opposition and prove he is fighting worthy opponents. This fight however is far from a barn burner as “Superman” should make easy work of Tommy Karpency.
The slight speed advantage for Karpency should keep him surviving into later rounds, but he does not have enough power to do any damage to Stevenson.
Once he is able to corner Karpency or slow him down the heavy hands of Stevenson will eventually get the job done.
Prediction: Stevenson
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Adonis Stevenson wins easily. Tommy Karpency isn’t a tomato can and has fought name opposition.
But simply put, he doesn’t have the power to get the respect he needs to win and keep Stevenson off him.
Prediction: Stevenson
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
First off, Tommy Karpency goes by Kryptonite?
Adonis Stevenson should win this convincingly–possibly by stoppage–unless his seemingly complacent demeanor takes hold in the middle of the fight like it did against Andrzej Fonfara, allowing Karpency to gain confidence.
The knock on the ironically nicknamed Karpency is he can beat club fighters and journeymen, but the slightest step up in competition for Karpency has resulted in losses.
Karpency lost to Fonfara for the IBO title and contender Nathan Cleverly, but he snatched a majority decision over a severely shopworn Chad Dawson.
I don’t think Karpency makes a strong case for disrupting Stevenson’s reign as WBC champ at 175, but anything can happen in boxing.
Prediction: Stevenson
Brent Herrin, Staff Writer
Premier Boxing Champions’ next installment will feature Adonis “Superman” Stevenson (26-1, 21 KOs) vs. Tommy “Kryptonite” Karpency (25-4, 14 KOs) on Spike TV. When will Stevenson stop beating around the bush and agree to face Sergey Kovalev?
It’s actually becoming quite obvious that Stevenson wants nothing to do with Kovalev, and doesn’t mind the criticism that’s come with it. Conveniently, this match pits Superman against Kryptonite, but unlike the comic books, Kryptonite will not be able help Karpency secure a win.
Karpency will probably making it interesting for a short time, but Stevenson will ultimately score the knockout win against another over matched opponent.
Prediction: Stevenson
Kai Piercy, Staff Writer
Adonis Stevenson will dominate this one.
Methodical about his work, the champion will control the range early on before slowly, but accurately, wearing down Tommy Karpency.
Stevenson’s power is enough to topple his foe, and a punishing stoppage in the middle rounds is my pick in another straight forward defence for the WBC title holder.
Prediction: Stevenson
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This should be another walk in the park for Adonis Stevenson. Tommy Karpency will last a few rounds before eating a big left hand–which is the only thing Stevenson seems to throw these days.
Unfortunately, Stevenson is no spring chicken and in a few weeks he’ll be turning 38. He’s let the momentum of his stellar 2013 disappear and I wouldn’t be surprised if he never faced another top-notch opponent again.
When Peter Quillin vs. a male escort gets more fan fare than the lineal Light Heavyweight champion of the world, that’s just sad.
Prediction: Stevenson
