The WBC Light Heavyweight title will be on the line this Saturday night, as Adonis “Superman” Stevenson welcomes challenger and former Super Middleweight titleholder Badou Jack.
The bout will take place in Toronto, Canada where Stevenson will likely have the majority of the crowd on his side.
Also featured on the telecast, live from the MGM in National Harbor, Maryland, WBC Featherweight champion Gary Russell Jr. takes on Golden Boy‘s Joseph “JoJo” Diaz in a 12 round affair.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Stevenson vs. Jack and Russell Jr. vs. Diaz Jr. and let us know who you think takes this one.
Round By Round Boxing Staff Predictions - 2020
| Name | Win | Loss | Total Fights | Win Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Burgos | 3 | 3 | 6 | 0.5 |
| Hans Themistode | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0.66666666666667 |
| R.L. Woodson | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.8 |
| Robert Contreras | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
Adonis Stevenson
vs.
Badou Jack
Photo by Janer Bigio/Mayweather Promotions
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
Adonis Stevenson vs Badou Jack is one of the better fights that could be made at 175.
Stevenson’s lack of activity and level of opponents is alarming. Jack wants to prove he is an elite fighter and will do so in a win over the dangerous Adonis Stevenson.
Prediction: Jack
Joseph Hammond,
Adonis Stevenson just five years ago was knocking on the door of the P4P list and developing a wider boxing audience but since then has struggled to get his career back in the boxing spotlight.
His win over Tony Bellew looks great in hindsight. Badou Jack is the younger and hungrier to not get the win here. Having seen him fight live I have been impressed by his patience and improving defense in recent years.
Prediction: Jack
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Jack
Andrew Kang, Contributing Writer
I like Adonis Stevenson. Stevenson is just too strong and powerful and will pour it on early.
Prediction: Stevenson
Peter Nieves, Senior Writer
I love this matchup and have been looking forward to this fight since its announcement. I think Adonis Stevenson has power that you just can’t teach but Badou Jack may be the better pugilist.
I think that if Jack comes in with the right strategy to box the night away and avoid Superman’s heavy power punches, he could steal a UD victory.
Prediction: Jack
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
For the sake of the Light Heavyweight division and getting the champions to fight each other, I would hope that Badou Jack wins.
But, I think Stevenson will deliver with his well-known powerful left hand and continue to hold the WBC belt hostage for another year.
Predictions: Stevenson
Gary Russell Jr.
vs.
Joseph Diaz Jr. 
Joshua Diaz, Staff Writer
Gary Russell vs. Joseph Diaz Jr. is an intriguing matchup. Another champion with the lack of regular activity in Russell. While Diaz is the young hungry contender ready to pounce.
This title shot may be a step up too fast for Diaz, but I am still choosing the Golden Boy fighter to win this fight.
Prediction: Diaz Jr.
Joseph Hammond, Staff Writer
Gary Russell at this point in his career is like a Vin Diesel movie. He is just too fast and too furious for Joseph Diaz Jr.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Julio Sanchez, Photographer Prediction: Russell Jr.
Andrew Kang, Contributing Writer
Gary Russell has too much skill and championship experience for Joseph Diaz Jr. Russell will win uncontested.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Peter Nieves, Senior Writer
I like both fighters and I think both Gary Russell Jr. and Joseph Diaz Jr. have paid their dues to get where they are now. Stylistically, I have to lean with Russell.
Although I think that Diaz is a solid fighter, I don’t think he’s developed quite as sharp as the champ. Russell’s hand speed and quick footwork will prove too much for the Golden Boy fighter but it could prove to be a great lesson for him if he should lose.
I don’t see Diaz getting stopped but Russell gets the knod.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Joseph Diaz Jr. is banking on being the bigger man on fight night–and I don’t doubt it.
The problem is that the weight won’t play as big a factor as he thinks. Gary Russell Jr. will be too quick for Diaz in a fight that has competitive moments early on.
Prediction: Russell Jr.
Header photo by Showtime Boxing
