Things You Should Know Before “The Moment”

By William T. Shorter

Boxing’s first advertised big mega event of the year is finally here sports fans! On May 3^rd the world will tune in to see the Floyd Mayweather Jr. v.s. Marcos Maidana boxing match. The boxing card aptly titled “The Moment” is the third Mayweather fight in a six fight deal with Showtime Sports. Outside of his fight with Miguel Cotto in May of 2012 recent opponents of Mayweather have provided little to no resistance in the ring. Although the fights were heavily promoted and hyped fans that purchased tickets to the fight and those who purchased the fight via pay-per view were left with a bit of an empty feeling due to the lack of competitiveness of the main event.

Since the jump to Showtime Golden Boy and Mayweather Promotions have tried to deliver better undercard fights to provide better value and increase revenue of the boxing card. This Saturday’s fight card is filled with three of the sports biggest names Mayweather, Khan, and Broner. When fans discuss these three fighters most of the time opinions on their skills and significance will spark passionate debate amongst those who follow the sport. One thing that can’t be argued is all three of these fighters will have the attention of the collective eyes of the boxing world on Saturday May 3^rd 2014.
 

With their fights just under 24 hours away and the weight-ins completed and most if not all pre-fight media obligations have been fulfilled, the fighters are left with nothing but time and their thoughts with how their respective fights will unfold on Saturday. So in the hours leading up to the fight now is the perfect time to give an analysis/prediction for the fight.

Adrien Broner (27-1 22 KO) vs Carlos Molina (17-1-1 1 No-Contest 7 KO)

Looking to rebound from his first career lost at the hands of Marcos Madiana, Adrien Broner must get back to what he does best in the ring. That would entail Broner using his accurate jab and lead left hook. Broner is naturally the bigger and stronger fighter he should use this to his advantage on the inside when he clinches.  

This is not Molina’s first time fighting upper echelon competition; his last fight resulted in a TKO defeat by Amir Khan. Molina is in no way a slouch he is a rugged fighter with decent boxing skills and average power. Molina must remain patient during the fight and pick his spots and use his jab. Broner loves to fight behind his lead high left shoulder, to get around his defense Molina must jab to the body and connect with the right hook.

Prediction: I think Broner uses his speed and physical advantages to stop Molina by TKO in the 9^th round.

Amir Khan (28-3, 19 KO) vs Luis Collazo (35-5, 18 KO)

Amir Khan took the path of least resistance to land his coveted co-feature match versus Collazo on the undercard. After deciding to avoid a potential match-up against Devon Alexander last December in hopes of landing a fight against Mayweather in the main event, his calculated risk worked against him in his attempt to get his dream match-up. This match-up against Callazo will not be a walk in the park. Amir Khan possesses elite hand speed and quickness inside the ring.

The knock against Amir Khan has been that he goes straight back with his hands down that makes him susceptible to straight right hands and hooks. Coupled with a questionable chin this has been a recipe for disaster. Khan must stay off the ropes and maintain proper defensive fundamentals to avoid Collazo’s favorite punch the over hand left. Callazo is fighter who loves to come forward and make the fight rugged and apply pressure on the inside. He has the style to make this a rugged and tough fight for Khan but I have my doubts if he has the power to capitalize on Khan’s mistakes during the fight. Khan will try to throw a flurry of punches at the end of the round to try to steal the round in the judge’s mind if he’s unsure if he won the round. Also with a potential September match-up with Mayweather; Amir Khan may feel the pressure to look great against Collazo and impress fans. This could pose many opportunities for Collazo to land power shots when in range.

Prediction: Amir Khan by split decision, the presence of acclaimed trainer Virgil Hill will provide Khan with the needed strategic insight to over come Collazo’s pressure style.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. (45-0, 26 KO) vs Marcos Maidana (35-3, 31 KO)

Maidana is the perfect opponent for Mayweather he is a hard charging fighter who comes straight forward and throws wide looping punches. But, don’t think that Maidana is just a brute with little to no boxing acumen in the ring. Maidana struggles with fighters who use various angles in the ring with good head movement. Maidana will attempt to use a similar strategy he used against Broner, single or double jabs to the body and try to connect with the over hand right. Maidana will aggressively apply pressure and try to control the fight on the inside when he is able to work Mayweather on the ropes.

Mayweather will use his reflexes, high lead left shoulder, and his famous shoulder roll followed by his lead right hand. Mayweather will use the first two rounds to take in what Maidana is trying to do offensively and then use a pin point jab, lead left hooks and straight rights to systematically break down Maidana over the course of the fight. Mayweather must avoid staying on the ropes and keep the action in the middle of the ring.

Prediction: Even with the social media distractions that have popped up for Mayweather over the past 48 hours (Most of it self induced) the moment (pun intended) is never to big for him come fight night. Mayweather has too many tools and the championship experience to outclass Maidana, Madiana will land shots on occasion but not nearly enough to make this a very competitive fight. Mayweather 12 round unanimous decision.