Edwin Rodriguez vs. Thomas Williams
Liam Brady, Staff Writer/Graphic Designer
I am picking Edwin Rodriguez, in what could be a competitive fight against Thomas Williams Jr.
The southpaw stance of Williams Jr. could prove awkward, but I see Rodriguez pressuring and overwhelming his opponent over the course of the fight, thus earning a points win.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Jack O’Connell, Staff Writer
Violence! That’s what we’re going to get with Edwin Rodriguez vs. Thomas Williams Jr. Whoever put this matchup together deserves a raise because this is going to be sweet.
Rodriguez is every action fan’s dream fighter. “La Bomba” loads up on every shot and throws and throws until whatever is in front of him falls overs. Sure, he might get put on his back every now and again, but he brushes it off and goes back to dishing out pain.
On the other hand, Williams Jr. is a bit more technical, more reserved. I mean, he’ll try to box. But unless you’re Andre Ward, you can’t stay dedicated and outbox Rodriguez.
What do I predict? Pain. Well, besides that, Rodriguez should be too much for the still novice Williams Jr. to handle. I expect Williams to stand his ground and duke it out, but sooner or later, Rodriguez will catch him with a massive right hand. Rodriguez by KO.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Shelbi Keyes, Staff Writer
Edwin Rodriguez (28-1, 19 KOs) faces Thomas Williams Jr. (19-1, 13 KOs) Saturday night in what is expected to be an exciting fight. Rodriguez has power in both hands and a killer instinct when he has his opponents up against the ropes. Rodriguez has knocked out four of his last seven opponents, bouncing back from his one and only loss to Andre Ward.
While Rodriguez is coming off impressive wins, Williams Jr. has also won five of his last six fights. Williams Jr. is known to carry a lot of power behind his punches–like his father, former heavyweight Thomas “Top Dawg” Williams Sr.
The biggest concerns I have with Williams Jr. are that he has never fought someone as talented as Rodriguez, as well as the fact that he has only one fight under his belt since 2015. Ultimately, I think it will come down to experience which Rodriguez is definitely the more experienced of the two.
Prediction: Rodriguez
Alex Burgos, Editor-in-Chief
I’m expecting a barn burner between Edwin Rodriguez and Thomas Williams. We’ve seen Rodriguez come out swinging for the fences on numerous occasions–Denis Grachev and Michael Seals are two examples–and generally speaking he has good results, so I expect him to try and overwhelm Thomas Williams.
I think Williams will have to weather that early storm, but instead of doing so with his boxing ability, I think he’ll opt to go to war–and that will be trouble.
Both guys are a bit chinny, but they will also will get up and continue to try and get even. I haven’t seen Williams really improve since the Gabriel Campillo, so unless he’s turned extremely disciplined and decides to out box Rodriguez (which he certainly can), I see “La Bomba” ending this back-and-forth battle early.
Prediction: Rodriguez
