Mayweather v Maidana, Khan v Collazo and Broner v Molina.
It promises to be an action packed night of boxing at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Saturday, with Floyd Mayweather topping a highly talented bill.
With the likes of Amir Khan and Adrien Broner featuring on the undercard amongst others, fanatix boxing experts Sumeet Paul and Scott Hazlewood break down each fight and discuss their predictions…
Adrien Broner vs Carlos Molina
Scott Hazlewood: No matter who wins this fight, it will say a lot about them and where their career is going in the next year or two. Both coming off losses in their last start, I think Broner will get up in this one. He’s only been knocked down once in his career, that coming in his loss to Maidana last year, and he has the experience to get the job done.
Sumeet Paul: Broner is a heavy favourite in this clash against Molina, and despite his loss against Marcos Maidana last time out, he has been as brash and outspoken in the pre-fight build-up as ever.
While there is some element of risk on Saturday night for the American who makes his debut at 140 pounds, you would expect him to come through on such a big night. Underneath that bravado and extravagance will be a determined fighter looking to get back on track. Broner win.
Amir Khan vs Luis Collazo
SP: I can already hear Khan’s post-fight interview with his cringe-worthy desperation for a bout with Mayweather continuing. He has insisted that he isn’t overlooking Collazo, and I hope that’s true as ultimately with the threat posed by his opponent coupled with Khan’s inactivity, I can see him getting caught and his future once again being scrutinised. Collazo win.
SH: Khan is talking a big game and wants to take on Pacquiao and Mayweather in order for him to make a splash on the world stage, and not just with boxing fans. He’s built up some momentum with his two wins over Diaz and Molina. Khan does have more to lose in this bout given the target he has painted on his own chest with all of his public talk and calling out of, arguably, bigger names. I will go for a Khan split-decision, but also admit that if the Englishman leaves his chin out for too long after getting too cocky, then he could be sleeping early.
Floyd Mayweather vs Marcos Maidana
SH: What else do we need to say about Mayweather that hasn’t been said before? Will go down in history as one of the best ever in the ring and is easily the best defensive fighter of his generation, and probably some others as well. But it has to be asked how seriously is ‘Money’ taking this fight against Maidana?
He seems to have been distracted with other things in the lead up to the fight, which could come back and bite him. No doubt Floyd has done the work in the gym, his worth ethic is insane, but it might be between the ears where his biggest issues might be this weekend. I’m going with a Mayweather win, but Maidana is no joke and his excellent win over Broner last year showed what he can do.
SP: For all the talk of retirement and takeover bids for an NBA franchise over the past week, I don’t think the circus will have distracted Mayweather from his ultimate goal, which is continuing to build his legacy in the sport. There is a quote this week that ‘Money’ insists that God only made one thing perfect, and that’s his boxing record.
Maidana is a warrior and will come to fight, but Mayweather’s footwork, speed and stamina will come through yet again and I see the American improving to 46-0 as well as seeing his bank account being rewarded handsomely. Mayweather win.
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