All photos by Marilyn Paulino/RBRBoxing
On Saturday, March 18, 2017, Gennady Golovkin takes on Daniel Jacobs in a highly-anticipated Middleweight clash from “The Mecca of Boxing,” Madison Square Garden.
Both fighters made weight on Friday and looked focused going into the fight that will crown the best Middleweight fighter in the world.
In the co-main event, consensus pound-for-pound king, Roman Gonzalez will face another stiff test in Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.
Read on for Round By Round Boxing‘s staff predictions for Golovkin vs. Jacobs and Gonzalez vs. Sor Rungvisai and let us know who you think will win.
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 |
Roman Gonzalez vs. Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
Liam Brady, Graphic Designer/Staff Writer
Admittedly, I have not seen a lot of Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, but what I do know is that he is a solid fighter, with concerning power.
It is a good fight for Roman Gonzalez in his first defense, and they both share a similar foe in Carlos Cuadras, who will no doubt be watching with intrigue, once he wraps up his own fight on the card.
I envisage an exciting decision win for Gonzalez, who is offensively superb, in an enthralling fight, with back-and-forth exchanges. I really do think the bigger divisions will bring the best out in Gonzalez, due to fighting bigger opponents, who will stand up to his power better, and therefore not yield as easily as fighters in lower weights have.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Gonzalez
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
Roman Gonzalez sure looked beatable in his last out against Carlos Cuadras, but I’m not sure Srisaket Sor Rungvisai has the same raw skill and natural advantages Carlos Cuadras had.
With super fights against Naoye Inoue and Cuadras in the distance I think Choco’s matchmakers knew what they were doing.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
Prediction: Gonzalez
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
I know nothing about Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, but the only thing I can see giving him an edge in this fight is that this is the first bout since Roman Gonzalez’s trainer tragically died and it could lead to Chocolatito not being fully there mentally.
All things considered however, I’m going Chocolatito by eighth-round TKO.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Gonzalez
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
This matchup has “Fight of the Year” candidate written all over it. The co-feature Saturday night at Madison Square Garden between Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai should deliver in every format of the fight game.
The world title bout for Gonzalaez’s WBC Super Flyweight crown showcases the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world, according to most boxing publications, in Gonzalez against the WBC mandatory challenger in Sor Rungvisai.
Sor Rungvisai, the former WBC 115 champion of the world is as heavy handed puncher as a 115 pounder comes by. The Thai fighter is looking for a golden opportunity here. I think Sor Rungvisai is very game here and dangerous.
One thing to note on Gonzalez is that this is his first fight since his head trainer Arnulfo Obando’s death. Chocolatito has much wear on him as one can have for a fighter after his last bout with Cuadras.
I think this one is very close and brings brutality. These two will trade and give fans at The Garden a great show. I got Gonzalez in a close, rematch-worthy fight. Chocolatito by decision.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
I didn’t know much about Srisaket Sor Rungvisai coming into this fight, but what stands out is that he has only lost once in eight years and he knocked out all but one opponent in his last 14 fights.
The person who claimed that victory? Carlos Cuadras, whom lost his title to Roman Gonzalez in their last outing.
All that glitters ain’t gold, because if you peruse Sor Rungvisai’s record, you will see that both his 45th and 46th fight–in which he scored knockouts–were against fighters making their professional debut. That’s wack to me.
His 14-fight win streak seems padded with multiple fighters who have more losses than wins. There is no way this immense absence of quality opponents gives him the experience to topple the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world.
Sor Rungvisai can punch, but I think Gonzalez easily retains his title on Saturday. Late-round stoppage for Chocolatito.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez (46-0, 38 KOs) has been on a tear since turning professional in 2005. He has largely had things go his way, though he had his hands full with Carlos Cuadras in September of last year and was fortunate to escape with the decision.
Gonzalez is nonetheless one of the top pound-for-pound elite fighters and his last fight does nothing to diminish that consensus. This is boxing; styles make fights and the undefeated (at that time) champion Cuadras is a problem for anyone around the Flyweight division.
Wisaksil Wangek, aka Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, is an experienced southpaw and heavy handed with a nice record of 41-4-1, 38 KOs, which will also present a problem for many of the top fighters in the division.
This contest for the WBC Super Flyweight strap will be a good one that will see both participants have their moments.
Gonzalez will have more moments, however and will survive a close one and secure a late stoppage.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Watching Roman Gonzalez all week, he just doesn’t seem to be all there. Could it be the absence of his longtime trainer who recently passed away? Or maybe he’s struggling to make weight?
Regardless, he’s got his hands full with Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday night and if he’s not all there, I can see an upset happening.
Sor Rungvisai has a nice record, but he’s certainly got more than one “showcase” on his ledger, so I’m not sure that the good fight he gave Carlos Cuadras is enough to give him the nod here.
I’ll take Gonzalez in a competitve, late-round stoppage.
Prediction: Gonzalez
Gennady Golovkin vs. Daniel Jacobs
Liam Brady, Staff Writer
I am picking Gennady Golovkin, by knockout, in five rounds.
As we have seen before, Daniel Jacobs is dangerous in the first few rounds, with his speed (and power) catching many by surprise, most notably Peter Quillin.
Therefore, I see Golovkin avoiding any dangerous exchanges on the inside, by prioritizing his boxing, similar to the David Lemieux fight. I believe he will keep it long range for a short while, until his jab finds its rhythm, and it begins to repeatedly land.
Then, Jacobs will slow down, and Golovkin will exploit the openings, created by his jabs, to land hurtful power shots to the body and head.
I do not see a fully-fledged knockout, but more of a stoppage on the ropes. It is a great fight, nevertheless, and it is just hard to pick against someone as formidable as Golovkin.
Prediction: Golovkin
Julio Sanchez, Photographer
Prediction: Golovkin
Andrew Kang, Staff Writer
Daniel Jacobs has the size, power, speed and talent to trouble Gennady Golovkin and pull off the upset. Indeed, there are some who feel a strong, skilled full-fledged Middleweight in Jacobs will take advantage of Golovkin’s propensity to get hit often and get out-hustled, a glaring vulnerability that Kell Brooks was able to expose in GGG‘s last fight before succumbing to GGG’s pressure and powerful shots.
But I am not sure how much Jacobs has improved since his devastating KO loss to Dmitry Pirog, where he was not able to adapt well to Pirog’s pressuring style and make the necessary adjustments.
Jacobs is at his best applying the pressure, but against Golovkin he will be the one moving backwards once again. He has a stiff left jab, but does not snap it out particularly fast, is susceptible to counter punches and he has a tendency to square-up when he plants down and flurry with his punches.
This will all spell certain doom for the “Miracle Man.” There will be no miracles come fight night. Jacobs will have his moments, but Golovkin’s impressive strength and power will be too much to overcome.
Prediction: Golovkin
Chris Nicastro, Staff Writer
Prediction: Golovkin
Sarah Gruber, Staff Writer
Prediction: Golovkin
CJ Halloran, Staff Writer
I think this is going to be Gennady Golovkin’s biggest test yet. He’s faced champions, but he’s never faced men like Daniel Jacobs.
Jacobs is a warrior and he’s got a history of knocking out power punchers like Kid Chocolate and he’s looking to do the same with GGG.
That being said, if GGG can cut off the ring and actually move his head like we know he can for once, I see him coming out on top via seventh-round knockout.
Prediction: Golovkin
Amber Williams, Photographer
Prediction: Golovkin
Ty Paul, Staff Writer
Daniel Jacobs is a nice fighter and has a great story, but Gennady Golovkin is special. And the one they call “GGG” will once again show that on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.
Los Angeles Times’ Lance Pugmire tweeted out on Thursday morning that rumors were swirling around the hotel lobby that GGG wants to put an end to this fight early to rest the shaky rumors brewing from his performance from the Kell Brook fight.
Could just be all talk, but interesting to hear. Jacobs will come in much bigger on Saturday night, but that’s nothing new for GGG because in reality he’s a small Middleweight.
He’s also been using that in his advantage in camp fighting bigger men such as notable Super Middleweight prospect David Benavidez. I’m really interested to see Jacobs’ gameplan play out.
Golovkin cuts off the ring so well, it might not matter. I see GGG taking his game to steeper heights in this one and stopping Jacobs via TKO in the mid rounds.
Prediction: Golovkin
Brandon Glass, Staff Writer
Gennady Golovkin wins. Plain and simple. I like Daniel Jacobs as a fighter and a man. He has a great backstory, too, but that does not take away the fact that he is facing the toughest opponent of his career on Saturday. I think Jacobs is skilled enough to surprise people and make this fight competitive as long as it lasts. He has concussive power, too.
If he can land something that hurts Golovkin, that will definitely make this fight an instant classic. However, I have yet to see Golovkin hurt. We are talking about a fighter who once dropped his hands and let his opponent pepper him with shots to excite fans. On the other hand, I do believe this will be Golovkin’s stiffest competition to date, as well. Triple G seems to be giving Jacobs the respect he deserves in his preparation for this fight. That spells disaster for the Brooklyn native.
Overall, Jacobs has the same problem Amir Khan does; no matter how skilled he is, or how hard he punches, his chin is always one punch away from derailing success. We saw that in the Dmitry Pirog fight seven years ago.
Not only that but, how is that Jacobs was dropped by a feather-fisted Sergio Mora? That presents a real issue for me in picking an upset. Golovkin drops and stops Jacobs in the middle rounds.
Prediction: Golovkin
Mike Burnell, Staff Writer
This weekend Middleweight terror Gennady Golovkin (36-0, 33 KOs) takes on a fellow puncher Danny Jacobs (32-1, 29 KOs) in the main event of the year in a unification match.
Jacobs is no slouch and has knotched some nice wins and picked up a belt along the way. He has generally done so in devastating fashion.
If nothing else, 2017 has been the year of the knockout and this fight will be no exception.
Reportedly, Golovkin has never been buzzed in the ring as a pro, amateur or sparring. Personally, I don’t believe that, but do think that GGG is the goods though he is just getting traction in his early 30’s.
Simply put, GGG by decapitation in Round 4.
Prediction: Golovkin
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
Aside from size, I don’t think Daniel Jacobs will be able to bring anything to the table to allow him to extend this fight and really test Gennady Golovkin. So many people are comparing Golovkin’s attitude and performance in the fight against Kell Brook to this one, but to me it’s apples and oranges.
It’s like slap boxing with your brother and then actually squaring up to fight someone you don’t know and see as a threat. It’s a different mentality. Once he ate some punches, Golovkin didn’t care for anything that Brook brought to the table, but like the David Lemieux fight, Golovkin is taking this one a lot more seriously and will come out as defensively sound as he possibly can.
Golovkin will come out working at a measured pace, behind his jab and show Jacobs what smart aggression looks like. It’s suffocating and Jacobs will realize that he is not facing Peter Quillin or Sergio Mora in there. At the moment I’m not convinced anyone can beat GGG at 160 pounds.
Prediction: Golovkin
