The theme of this weekend?s fights: Two old champions trying to remain in the spotlight and two young hungry undefeated contenders trying to make it to the spotlight. Seemingly enough, both fights take place in the very stacked Jr. Welterweight division. This Saturday is highlighted by the main event on HBO with Mexican legend Erik ?El Terrible? Morales defending his WBC world title against undefeated contender Danny ?Swift? Garcia. In the other Jr. Welterweight showdown, former 5 time world champion Zab ?Super? Judah confronts another unbeaten contender in Vernon ?Iceman? Paris for a shot at the IBF Jr. Welterweight title. So do the experience and craftiness of the veterans prevail or does the youth and hunger of the undefeated fighters prove to be too much Saturday. This is Show and Prove, the Jr. Welterweight Edition
Most intriguing of this all the fighter?s this weekend is Erik Morales. Without a doubt, he?s a Mexican legend and would be included on the Mt. Rushmore of Mexican boxing. But one has to say, if there?s someone with nothing to prove Saturday, its Morales. He?s won multiple titles, made multiple classic fights, and made a lot of money in his run in the sweet science. His name alone would put behinds in the seats. Since his run back, he took a very dangerous fight with Marcos Maidana and was on course to fight another dangerous man, Lucas Mattysse for the very belt he has now. Mattysse pulled out with an injury but Morales was game and eager to challenge himself. He?s doing that again on Saturday night when he takes on the younger fresher contender from Philadelphia in Danny Garcia.
Garcia has much to prove Saturday. He has earned his way to this spot from opening major events when there were 10 people in the crowd to having a packed house this Saturday in Houston as the main event attraction along with Morales. Garcia can box and has proven so by beating former world champions like Kendall Holt and Nate Campbell. Now he?s here, trying to push through the door of a major opportunity of not only winning a world title but dethroning a Mexican legend and an all time great. Should he lose? Then it?s a long flight home to Philly and back to the drawing board. Should he win, the options are unlimited with fights available to him like fights with the before mentioned Marcos Maidana, Lucas Mattysse, Humberto Soto, and a possible big money unification bout with winner of Lamont Peterson and Amir Khan. Those are just a few options at 140, a division full of talent.
So what gives? Morales is a fighter?s fighter who will put it all on the line. He?s fighting a young man coming to make a name for myself. If he wins, I think he?s proven what he ultimately wants; his skill and heart are still enough to hang with the young fighters in the game. So maybe that?ll land him a much larger fight against a Juan Manuel Marquez for one. If he loses, he loses to a much younger guy with better reflexes and there not fault in that. Garcia says Marquez had his time and now it?s his time so shine. The proof to that quote will be decided Saturday.
Prediction: While I commend Morales for taking a very dangerous fight when he can make good money fighting anyone, I think Garcia is a much better boxer than the one dimensional Maidana. I think Garcia is a much better fighter than anyone Morales has faced since Manny Pacquiao. Garcia can jab, move, counter, and outwork Morales. Morales may take Garcia to deeper waters but neutralizing a big puncher like Holt has given Garcia the experience to swim and not drown. If the judges are fair in Texas (which has not been the case lately), I see Garcia winning a wide majority decision.
In the main event of the NBC Sports Network telecast enters Zab ?Super? Judah. Judah has had a good career with title runs the Jr. Welterweight division and the Welterweight division. One can never question the talent Judah is blessed with but they can however question his mental stability. On the big stage against Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, and even recently with Amir Khan, Judah had mental lapses and came up short in those fights. But when it comes to the below level elite opposition, Judah has come out on top against fighters like Kaizer Mabuza.
Vernon Paris is on his way up the ladder and Zab Judah is a rung on that ladder that Paris has to step on to make it where he wants to be. Coming off a very impressive win over Tim Coleman to earn a shot in this title eliminator, Vernon will go into Judah?s hometown in Brooklyn, New York to try and make create a name in the boxing world. Judah and Paris are perfect opponents for each other to see where both are in their careers. If Judah can no longer contend with an opponent with the skill of Paris, then Judah should not longer be considered a main event fighter and his chances at title shot should be through. However, if he wins his name is back in the hold for a title shot against the winner of Khan vs. Peterson. For Paris, the stakes might be higher. If he loses to Judah, then he just might not have what it takes and continue to be a Friday Night Fight main event fighter. In contrast, if he wins he earns his title shot and throws his name in the fold with the upper echelon of the 140 lb division.
Prediction: I find this fight as a much harder fight to predict. Paris has good body game as was shown evident in the Coleman fight. Zab as we know, hates when he is touched the body. However, Paris?s best win (Coleman), last week folded in a horrid performance against Kendall Holt. Zab still has the talent to knock off below elite opposition as he has proven before and still is fast and packs a punch at 140. If zab gets touched the body, will he mentally check out in front of his home crowd? If the fight goes the distance, will Paris get a fair decision in Zab?s hometown? I won?t be surprised if Judah wins a decision but I think this is the type of fight Paris lives for; being a spoiler and a villain. He talks well with his mouth and well with his hands. I see him outworking Judah, landing to the body and winning by late 9th round TKO.
Other Prediction: This weekend is so full of fights the fight of the night might be James Kirkland vs. Carlos Molina. Kirkland comes in off the major victory over Alfredo Angulo while, Moline comes in beating Kermit Cintron and a draw over Erislandy Lara. The key to this fight is whether or not Kirkland can adjust if the knockout is not there against a hardworking craft fighter like Molina. Kirkland says he can box when the brawling isn?t there. This will be the fight he proves it. I see a very good fight going deep and Kirkland showing us new found stamina finishing the show with a 10th round TKO.
So far this year, my record is 8-2. As always follow me on twitter @Vicmatic_TKO and enjoy an excellent fight weekend.
