Jermell Charlo vs. Vanes Martirosyan
Photo edit by Lorin Elise/Keystone Boxing
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
The undefeated 24-year-old Jermell Charlo (25-0, 11 KOs) may face his toughest test Saturday night. At 28, Martirosyan (35-1-1, 21 KOs) has only one loss to his name, a 12 round split decision to Demetrius Andrade in November of 2013.
This is an intriguing style matchup of two former sparring partners. Charlo likes to box, uses a very educated jab from the outside, and has very good hand speed.
Martirosyan should look to press the action and make Charlo fight. He has some power and if he can force the action and make Charlo uncomfortable, his chances of winning improve dramatically.
That said, I like Charlo to win. His skills are superior and if he uses those skills, and keeps a cool head, he wins.
Prediction: Charlo
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Jermell Charlo’s effect on viewers can range anywhere from drinking a warm cup of milk before bed to taking a double-dose of Lithium.
Vanes Martirosyan is one of the streakiest fighters we’ve ever seen. You just don’t know what version of him you’ll be getting in any given fight. I’m thinking the version this weekend will be the good one. Vanes by decision.
Prediction: Martirosyan
Alex McLeish, Staff Writer
Vanes Martirosyan is an experienced veteran with a lot of heart, but he finds himself up against a superior technical boxer in Jermell Charlo. Vanes was somewhat exposed by Demetrius Andrade in their title fight back in 2013, being outworked throughout the mid-to-late rounds of a fight that was more one-sided than the score cards revealed.
Charlo has a lot of questions to still answer, but has an opportunity to put most naysayers to rest with a win over Martirosyan this Saturday. I think he does so by being the sharper boxer, and even though he doesn’t have imposing knockout power, I think he’ll be the stouter fighter, and won’t allow Martirosyan to push him around.
Expect Martirosyan’s toughness to keep it close until the late rounds, when Charlo will outwork him to a unanimous decision victory.
Prediction: Charlo
Zuri Lopez, Contributing Writer
This is the fight I’m most excited about. Jermell Charlo is trying to make a name for himself and so far he’s been pretty good. Vanes Martirosyan wants to make it clear he’s the best out of the two, so on fight night we’ll have a good scrap.
I can see Charlo winning this fight, but it won’t come easy. Charlo seems to carry more power out of the two and perhaps that’ll be the key in this fight. But you can bet Martirosyan will be coming to fight like never before. Could get a little crazy in the ring!
Prediction: Charlo
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I like this matchup a lot, but only if Vanes Martirosyan comes out to play. He has to start quick–like he did against Demetrius Andrade–but also keep up and capitalize on any mistakes Jermell Charlo makes.
I think Charlo is the better overall fighter with a solid good jab. Vanes needs to bring the pressure early on and not let Charlo dictate the pace and counter.
I think we may get some exciting exchanges, but at the end of the day Charlo is too gifted athletically and technically for Martirosyan.
Charlo showed me a lot against Gabriel Rosado and I expect him to take the next step against Martirosyan in a decision win.
Prediction: Charlo
