Weekend boxing preview: Golovkin returns, Valdez defends title
Undefeated fighters Oscar Valdez and Jason Sanchez will fight for the WBO Featherweight Title and Gennady Golovkin will return to the ring Saturday in another quality weekend of boxing.
On paper Akhmedov will face a stern test, as McDaniel is also undefeated, but even though McDaniel looks like he has a shot, he heads into the ring at a disadvantage at 35 years old and only 5-foot-9. Akhmedov should be able to keep McDaniel away and control this fight from the outset.
The key for Golovkin will be his ability to keep away from Rolls' jab, but Rolls throws it off his front foot. The fact that he's 19-0 and still throws his jab off his front foot means he hasn't fought anybody close to Golovkin's level.
Rolls could surprise if he keeps his distance, uses his reach, throws his jab correctly and keeps his hands up no matter where Golovkin is in the ring.
Booker, on the other hand, is going up in weight. If Booker keeps his speed, while going up in class, he could control the fight. But neither fighter has a real edge, and both are desperate for a win. That means this could be the most entertaining bout of the night.
Sanchez is an unknown. The best fighter he has beaten is Jean Carlos Rivera. Although we don't know much about Sanchez, he's been trained well and keeps his hands up. Valdez should win, but don't be surprised if the young up-and-comer has other ideas.
Super Middleweights
Ali Akhmedov 14-0-0 vs Marcus McDaniel 15-0-0
At 6-foot-1 Akhmedov can keep his opponents off him with his jab. Almost as important? He uses his jab to set up his power punches.On paper Akhmedov will face a stern test, as McDaniel is also undefeated, but even though McDaniel looks like he has a shot, he heads into the ring at a disadvantage at 35 years old and only 5-foot-9. Akhmedov should be able to keep McDaniel away and control this fight from the outset.
Super Middleweights
Gennady Golovkin 38-1-1 vs Steve Rolls 19-0-0
Golovkin heads to the ring for the first time since he lost to Canelo Alvarez in September, and he's not afraid to fight a very good boxer after a loss.The key for Golovkin will be his ability to keep away from Rolls' jab, but Rolls throws it off his front foot. The fact that he's 19-0 and still throws his jab off his front foot means he hasn't fought anybody close to Golovkin's level.
Rolls could surprise if he keeps his distance, uses his reach, throws his jab correctly and keeps his hands up no matter where Golovkin is in the ring.
Light Heavyweights
Michael Seals 22-2-0 vs Christopher Booker 14-6-0
The 36-year-old Seals has lost two of his last five fights. Seals looks the part, but he tends to fight with his hands down and could be at a disadvantage because he had to go down in weight for this fight.Booker, on the other hand, is going up in weight. If Booker keeps his speed, while going up in class, he could control the fight. But neither fighter has a real edge, and both are desperate for a win. That means this could be the most entertaining bout of the night.
WBO Featherweight Title
Oscar Valdez 25-0-0 vs Jason Sanchez 14-0-0
Valdez took close to a year off after getting hurt against Scott Quigg in March of 2018, then in his last fight, he dominated an overmatched Carmine Tommasone en route to a seventh-round knockout.Sanchez is an unknown. The best fighter he has beaten is Jean Carlos Rivera. Although we don't know much about Sanchez, he's been trained well and keeps his hands up. Valdez should win, but don't be surprised if the young up-and-comer has other ideas.
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