(Photo credit: Esther Lin/Showtime) Who will be left behind when Devon Alexander and Jesus Soto Karass meet at the crossroads? Decorated amateurs square off creating a Featherweight (contender) belt holder. Robert “the ghost” Guerrero returns after a 13 month hiatus to face a prospect from Japan. If they were playing night baseball it would be one, two, three strikes their out for the losers of this Saturday night’s Showtime Triple header.
Jesus Soto Karass has bounce back and forth from contender to gatekeeper, yet his performance is consistently worth the price of admission regardless the outcome.
Devon Alexander looks to right the ship after his career capsized the last time out versus Shawn Porter. The former junior welterweight and welterweight champion looks to get back into the picture at the 147 pound division with a win over Soto Karass.
The defensive minded, slick southpaw will have his hands full with Jesus Soto Karass, who is no pushover, usually making his opponents earn it. With that fact in mind expect more offensive activity to go along with Devon Alexander’s defensive. Speed and skill will be the difference in this eye pleasing matchup, that’s if the ref warns and quite possible penalizes Devon for holding should he become abusive.
My official prediction is Devon Alexander by unanimous decision
Gary Russell Junior has 20 pro fights, 18 more than Vasyl Lomachenko, who seemed to learn a lot and may have come of age against Orlando Salido. Lomachenko had issues with Salido’s pressure and body punches however, the second half o the fight he made some adjustments that could carry over this Saturday night.
Although Gary Russell is very fast handed, his opponent may be more comfortable in a fight that will likely take place in the middle ring rather than facing a pressure fighter like Salido. Will Gary Russell apply enough pressure and attack he body something he has shown to be capable of in the past?
Which fighter will feel more pressure in this high speed chess match? A loss for Russell Jr., who hasn’t fought anyone of note up to this point, would severely slow his already snail-like pace of a career. On the other hand, a loss for Lomachenko would mean back to back losses dropping him below the .500 mark.
I will fully admit that I’m stuck on picking a winner for this matchup as a write this piece in the wee hours of the night. Whoever gets their hand raised will take a big step in to the future instead of relying on past accomplishments. The speed, combination punching, and work to the body will secure a close, but comfortable victory for Gary Russell Junior. My official prediction is Gary Russell Junior by unanimous decision.
Robert Guerrero swears by his new work out program CrossFit. He claims it has made him a stronger welterweight with more endurance this time around, rather than eating his way up two weight classes which was the case in his search for a big fight.
Yoshihiro Kamegai has a record of 24-1-1 with 21 KO’s. He posses quick hands and can be both accurate and slick. The problem is he seems to be a one trick pony not able to adjust in recent struggles with Johan Perez and Jorge Silva.
The Ghost could get spooked early from 13 month layoff. Once he clears those cobwebs, this low profile fight (for a main event) should be a crowd pleasing 2-way tussle until it becomes one-sided in favor of Guerrero. My official prediction is Robert Guerrero by unanimous decision
With no marquee names or fights, the matchmaking in two of the three fights on this Stub Hub card should produce plenty of entertainment. The chess match between Gary Russell Junior and Vasyl Lomachencko should answer the questions that remain about each fighter’s professional careers.
Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio at www.blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperadio & Follow Chris on Twitter @RopeADopeRadio
