Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
On Saturday, April 26, 2014, Showtime Championship Boxing and Golden Boy Promotions present an exciting boxing triple-header that could easily be titled “Knockout Kings 3.”
The fight card–sponsored by Corona, AT&T and Casamigos Tequila–is headlined by a 12-round fight featuring Keith Thurman as he defends his Interim WBA Welterweight World Championship against Julio Diaz.
The night of action takes place at StubHub Center in Carson, Calif., and will air on Showtime starting at 9 pm, EST, 6 pm, PST.
In the co-feature, Argentine knockout artist Lucas Matthysse faces hard-hitting John Molina Jr. in a 10-round Junior Welterweight bout.
In the opening bout of the telecast, Omar Figueroa Jr. defends his WBC Lightweight title against fellow Texan, Jerry Belmontes.
The preliminary fights will air on Showtime Extreme.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing’s staff predictions for the Showtime Championship Boxing triple-header.
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Omar Figueroa vs. Jerry Belmontes
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
Gabe Polanco, Staff Writer
I do not see this fight ending in any other way than a one-sided blood-laced stoppage. After finally overcoming chronic hand problems, Omar Figueroa is ripping at the seams to go out there and do what he does best, punish. I know Jerry Belmontes has gotten the better of his Texas counterpart three times in the amateurs. Without head gear though, the fight game is a totally different game and Figueroa is just on a different level then Belmontes at this point. I see Figueroa ending this early and getting Belmontes out with a body shot.
Prediction: Figueroa
Gino Garcia, Contributing Writer
Omar Figueroa vs. Jerry Belamontes should be a fight of strategy. I give Figueroa the edge, but this fight should go the distance. I think Figueroa will win by split decision.
Prediction: Figueroa
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This is an interesting matchup because of the well-documented history these two have dating back to when they were kids. While Jerry Belmontes is claiming to have beaten Omar Figueroa five times–even stopping him and making him cry–Figueroa says that that number is more like three. Figueroa also says that no matter what happened in the past, he is now a full grown man as well as a champion. Belmontes is coming off of a big victory on the Canelo vs. Angulo undercard with an upset of previously undefeated up-and-comer Will Tomlinson. But before that, Belmontes had dropped three of his previous four bouts. For Figueroa, he has to hope that his hands do not become an issue as he banks on putting pressure and throwing punches in bunches. As long as Figueroa is okay from his hand injury, I see him breaking Belmontes down for a mid-to-late rounds stoppage.
Prediction: Figueroa
Lucas Matthysse vs. John Molina Jr.
Photo by Esther Lin/Showtime
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Lucas Matthysse will be shaking off the ring rust as he hasn’t been in the ring since last September, which was a loss against 140-pound kingpin, Danny Garcia. I think he’ll get back to his winning ways and stop John Molina. Matthysse by TKO in Round 7.
Prediction: Matthysse
Gino Garcia, Contributing Writer
Lucas Matthysse vs. John Molina will not go the distance. I think Molina gets dropped early and finished no later than Round 8. Matthysse takes this with ease by KO.
Prediction: Matthysse
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Lucas Matthysse is admittedly one of my favorite fighters to watch. He needs to show that he’s not fixated on knocking John Molina Jr.’s head off and can deal with some lateral movement. Even if Matthysse is the same one-trick pony we’ve become accustomed to seeing, he should be too much for Molina Jr. But, for longevity and bigger matchups sake, I hope to see more refined footwork from “The Machine.”
Prediction: Matthysse
Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz
Photo by Hogan Photos
Gabe Polanco, Staff Writer
Keith “One Time” Thurman is an animal. He’s tough and can punch your light’s out. Julio Diaz is a seasoned veteran with the term “gate keeper” attached to his name. Most people will see this as a showcase bout for Thurman, yet I believe there just might be something left in the tank for Diaz ala Erik Morales vs. Marcos Maidana. In that fight, much like this one, an older veteran goes up against a tough, young knockout artist. I can see Thurman giving Diaz some really scary moments, but overall Diaz pulling this one out in a close decision victory.
Prediction: Diaz
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Keith Thurman will take longer than normal to dispatch of his opponent, but he will do just that. Al Haymon has been matching his young client with B level opponents, until he feels he’s ready for the next level. Julio Diaz is a great test to see if he’s ready for the next level as he put Amir Khan on the ground and gave Shawn Porter a hell of a battle not too long ago. But expect a late KO or a unanimous decision win for Keith “One Time” Thurman.
Prediction: Thurman
Gino Garcia, Contributing Writer
Keith Thurman vs. Julio Diaz is going to be a test of patience. I don’t see Diaz holding up very long if Thurman is able to connect. I give this fight to Thurman in 7 by TKO.
Prediction: Thurman
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I think Keith Thurman is a legitimate star in the making. He’s got the discipline and work ethic to continue to get better as well as the power to draw in large crowds. I think he steamrolls Julio Diaz and sets up an intriguing matchup with boxing heads’ fighter of the moment, Shawn Porter.
Prediction: Thurman
