This week is all about quality, not much quantity though. Three even match ups this week. (assuming Ulises Solis-Omar Nino Romero DO fight this week) Chisora-Fury are two prospects on the same level, at the moment, Solis-Romero are two contenders/former champions that have the same level of experience, about the same resume, etc. And Khan is an inexperienced, young, but very talented, fast, newly crowned champion at 140. While, Judah is a bit on the slide, still, he has experience, a new great trainer in Pernell Whitaker, and still has the great speed and power. Let’s dive into all three match ups, shall we?
First up, we’ll go with the fight that may or may not happen, for some reason, and that is Omar Nino Romero vs Ulises Solis. Omar Nino Romero lost his 108 world title after getting upset by Gilberto Keb Baas. Some people questioned that fight, well, they shouldn’t. Romero was just trying to avenge his first loss, but it backfired as he lost yet again and hasn’t fought since last November. Aside from Keb Baas just having his number, he has a solid resume beating the likes of Brian Viloria, Rodel Mayol, and Sammy Gutierrez. On the other side, we have Ulises Solis who has a solid resume as well. He has beaten Rodel Mayol, Jose Antonio Aguirre, lost to Brian Viloria, and has fought Omar Salado to a draw. They both almost have the same number of fights, Solis is 33-2-3 and Romero is 30-4-2, and both are from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico. If there was ever a fight to pick a draw, this is it. Romero is a decent boxer, isn’t aggressive, doesn’t fight off the back foot, he has a nice happy medium. hands out, 1-2 most of the time, not much pop, but gets the job done. Solis usually comes forward, has a nice stiff jab and a nice, but sometimes, wide powerful right hand. You definitely have to watch out for it because it does major damage. Now, while Romero usually has problems with speed type fighters that throw a lot, I’m think of Keb Baas, and Solis isn’t really that, still, I like Solis’ power to really give Romero problems and I think he eventually gets to Romero and knocks him out.
Next we have the two young, up and coming, heavyweight prospects. Dereck Chisora-Tyson Fury. Very even match up. Both have the same number of fights, and they both just about have the same number of quality scalps on their resume. Fury has been a really high prospect, everybody has kept an eye on this fighter. Cool name, very tall, at times a good jab, and at times good power. Fury, back in 2009 took a really big step up against John McDermott. He barely escaped with a decision win over him, but the majority of people thought he got a gift in that fight. A year later, he went rematched McDermott and stopped him in 9 rounds. A better outcome for the young Tyson Fury. Dereck Chisora on the other hand, his last two fights have been his best step up fights. He took on Danny Williams, a very faded Danny Williams, and stopped him in 2. Then 4 months later took on Sam Sexton and stopped Sexton in 9 rounds. A fight that was back and forth. Now, back to this fight. Fury very tall drink of water, has a decent jab. Right hand that follows has good pop. Stamina is bit of a problem. He definitely get tired late in fights. Chisora small heavyweight, only about 6’1-6’2. Big problem that is, but he has good head movement, throws a lot of punches, decent enough pop, and is very athletic for a heavyweight which I think is the big x-factor in this fight. Chisora’s athleticism. While Fury is uncoordinated and isn’t all that athletic. Just a big dude with a decent jab, and right hand. That I think is the key. Chisora’s athleticism, getting inside, and throwing punches in bunches. So, I’m taking Chisora by decision in this fight. If the judges aren’t corrupt, I think Chisora wins this fight by a decent enough margin. In the 116-112 range.
The main event of the evening. Another real tossup of a fight in Las Vegas. Amir “King” Khan is taking on the reborn Zab “Super” Judah. While Judah’s life and dedication has been reborn, It was Khan’s career that was reborn by Freddie Roach. After an embarassing 1st round, first minute loss to Bredis Prescott, Khan hasn’t loss since winning 7 in a row, and picking up and 140 pound world title strap. He won a tuneup, and then has proceeded to be Marco Antonio Barrera, (a shot Barrera, but still hell of a name to have on your resume) Andriy Kotelnik, Dmitriy Salita, Paulie Malignaggi, Marcos Maidana, and Paul McCloskey. Now, aside from Salita and McCloskey both whom shouldn’t have had the opportunity to fight for a world title strap considering that they haven’t done much, they haven’t earned that shot. Still that is a damn good resume. Khan has had the skills and talent, considering he did win a silver medal at the Olympics, it has been trainer Freddie Roach that has knocked some of the dirt off this diamond and really polished it into a very dangerous opponent and quite possibly a future superstar in the sport. But, they are taking in yet another high class fighter in Zab Judah. Judah has been reborn by the Grace of God. Judah’s left his past life of, entourages, gold teeth, and what have you and has really put the time and effort to get back his former glory. Judah is a former 140 pound titlist, lost in his attempt to unify the division (as you may have seen on YouTube, that was against Kostya Tszyu in which he did the chicken dance) he then proceed to win a strap back at 140, and moved up to 147 to try and unify that division, but was unsuccessful yet again. Losing in a close heartbreaker versus Cory Spinks. He would get a rematch a year later in 2005 and knocked out Cory Spinks in front of his hometown fans to become “the man” of 147.
It all came crashing down though as journeyman Carlos Baldomir came in and pulled off a colossal upset. Judah lost two more in a row losing to Floyd Mayweather and getting dragged down and beat down by Miguel Cotto. After a couple of tuneup wins, Judah got yet another shot at redemption. This time against Joshua Clottey, he would yet again lose another big fight as a headbutt stopped the fight in the 9th round and Judah lost close on the cards, unanimously. Two years later, now in 2010 Zab Judah rededicated himself and fought solid contender at 135, Jose Armando Santa Cruz. Judah blew out Santa Cruz on ESPN2’s Friday Night Fights, back at 140. Judah took a risky fight, but very necassary fight against Lucas Matthysse. He barely survived as he gassed out late in the fight yet again, but put enough rounds in the bank early to win the fight. Judah got a shot at a world title strap back in March against Kaizer Mabuza. His first fight with new trainer, Pernell “Sweet Pea” Whitaker and was able to knock out the tough African in 7 rounds. Four months later Judah has come full circle. On the big stage again, a unification bout, against a talented, young lion. Ok, hope you liked the little story, it is prediction time. I feel Amir Khan is a very talented fighter, but he is very flawed. Paul McCloskey really exposed Amir Khan, an awkward fighter that can make Khan miss, is exactly what Judah is. The difference though, is McCloskey never made Khan pay. Judah can and probably will. Judah has a deadly left hand that can put guys with strong jaws to sleep. Khan a very shaky whiskers, if Judah lands that uppercut, or even that straight left. This fight is over. Surely, Team Khan are smart enough to know that he cannot throw his right hand to close in and always, always, circle to Khan’s left, which should be natural. I’m going with Khan because I have to assume that’s what the plan of action is, and let’s face it, Judah isn’t a 12 round fighter. He’s a great 4-6 round fighter, but after that he starts losing focus, he gets tired, and he isn’t “Super” anymore. So, I’ve got Khan via UD. A really really interesting fight though. I can’t wait for the weekend.
My verdicts:
Dereck Chisora vs. Tyson Fury- Dereck Chisora by UD
Ulises Solis vs. Omar Nino Romero- Ulises Solis by KO
Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah- Amir Khan by UD
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