Anthony Dirrell vs. Marco Antonio Rubio
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
Anthony Dirrell is coming off of his first and only loss. I don’t see him losing two in a row.
Rubio, 35, has been around the block countless times as he is approaching 70 professional fights. While he holds the edge in experience, Dirrell is five years his minor at 30.
I’m looking for Dirrell to control the action with his height and reach advantages and score the win.
Prediction: Dirrell
Ismael Gallardo, Photographer
Prediction: Dirrell
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Marco Antonio Rubio has been fighting since FDR signed The New Deal. He’ll be giving up several inches in height and reach. He’ll also be moving up in weight for the first time in years, less than a year after Gennady Golovkin embarrassed and destroyed him in two rounds.
If you haven’t guessed by now, he is there to lose. Anthony Dirrell, who can proudly say that he’s one of the only fighters in boxing history to be told by a mic’d up referee that he “looks like shit,” is trying to get back into the win column after taking a loss to Badou Jack.
Almost as important for him is to not make viewers want to cut themselves with something rusty and sharp to alleviate the boredom. The good news is that Rubio usually comes to fight, so it shouldn’t be a horrible suck-fest. What it will prove, I’m not sure. Either way, Dirrell should cruise here.
Prediction: Dirrell
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Zzzzzz… Premier Boxing Champions, you’re testing our patience with this one. We know Anthony Dirrell needs a confidence booster–but Marco Antonio Rubio?
Rubio was last seen getting pummeled by Gennady Golovkin, and that performance had many people ready to strip Rubio of his Mexican card. Did I mention Rubio is moving up in weight?
Dirrell should use his athleticism and jab to dictate the pace and hopefully stop Rubio–which if he’s trying to prove that he’s one of the best at 168 he has to do.
Prediction: Dirrell
