Mauricio Herrera vs. Jose Benavidez Jr.
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Tony Calcara, Staff Writer
This is a very exciting matchup. I don’t see this one making it to the scorecards. Although Mauricio Herrera has the experience, I like the undefeated Jose Benavidez.
Prediction: Benavidez
Lou Catalano, Senior Writer
Mauricio Herrera is just brutal to fight. He’s got sneaky skills and he can hit you with any punch. In fact, he might be one of the most accurate punchers in the game.
He’s certainly a truth-teller, and that’s what we’re going to find out Saturday–is Jose Benavidez the truth?
Herrera will be at a pretty severe height disadvantage, and I’m not sure if he can overcome it enough to soundly defeat this young fella. That said, Benavidez, despite sparring with Manny Pacquiao, has never been in a real fight as difficult as this. I’m going with the veteran to pull it out. Herrera on points.
Prediction: Herrera
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
This is an interesting matchup. Jose Benavidez has a really good amateur background, but nothing that I’ve seen from him as a professional suggests that he’s ready to beat a rugged, hard-to-hit pro fighter like Mauricio Herrera.
Herrera is not the guy I would want my fighter facing as his first step up fight and I think Benavidez will realize early that “El Maestro” is as difficult as advertised. I like Herrera by decision.
Prediction: Herrera
