Boxing: WWMFTW #3

Fans can expect a Fight of The Year contender when WBC champion Adonis Stevenson defends his title against former two-division world champion Badou Jack Saturday, May 19

What do you know, Showtime Boxing is set to deliver fans of the sweet science three world title fights later tonight. Tonight’s scheduled bouts are solid, but the Light Heavyweight title fight between WBC champion Adonis Stevenson and Badou Jack possesses the potential to be the most exciting.

But let’s get into the matchups.

Adonis Stevenson vs. Badou Jack

Stevenson (29-1, 24 KOs) captured the WBC title in astonishing fashion back in the summer of 2013, as he unexpectedly stopped the highly regarded Chad Dawson in just 72 seconds. He fought four times that year, but has failed to fight more than twice per year since, and only entered the ring once in both 2016 and 2017.

The major knock against Stevenson and his reign is that he sat by and watched Andre Ward come up in weight and not have one, but two fights against unified champion Sergey Kovalev.

So, the inactivity and not showing the alacrity to pursue greatness in the sport continues to disappoint many. In contrast, Jack (22-1-2, 13 KOs) is disregarding a couple of unfavorable judges’ decisions, and pushing himself to challenge the best. Jack has emerged into one of this writer’s favorite types of fighters: a NVTG. A non-verbal tough guy.

‘Non-verbal’ is not meant to make light of anybody’s struggles to live with special needs, and nor is intended to disrespect Jack. The classification NVTG just means fans rarely have to use their ears to discern Jack’s toughness – he endures and doles out punishment with the best of them.

Come fight night Jack owns a slight height advantage, but the 40-year old Stevenson possesses a 4-inch reach advantage. The champion’s attack centers around delivering his left hand, which remains one of the most lethal single punch weapons in the sport. The southpaw’s boxing ability is a little better than what his awkward looking style might suggest at times, but at Stevenson’s age it is very unlikely he will rely on steadily employing all the fundamentals of the sweet science.

This writer foresees Stevenson operating from the outside to the mid-range in the earlier rounds, most touching Jack with his right hand to either position the challenger, or his guard, in a way that leaves a window for his left hand. Both men promised a knockout to conclude the fight, and Stevenson’s pace will be noticeable the first few rounds as he attempts to capitalize on Jack’s track record of being a slow starter.

Toronto fans should thank Jack. Their Raptors did not put up much of fight to avoid being swept in their second round 7-game series versus the LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Jack is going to get hit, but he will return fire, and challenge Stevenson’s durability and stamina.

Jack does everything pretty well, and he stands to get his hand raised by working smartly over the first half of the fight and staying mindful that the danger will come from Stevenson’s traps for his left hand. He is a couple of fights removed from facing James DeGale, another southpaw, so this is nothing totally new to Jack.

Stevenson is crafty and he takes enough risks to where he could possibly score a knock down, or even stop Jack tonight. If Jack is hurt badly tonight, a full recovery against Stevenson would be a new situation. However, after mulling this bout over for as long as possible, Jack relies on his more well-balanced punching to stay at least a step ahead of the older Stevenson all night and earns a hard-fought decision.

Gary Russell Jr. vs. Joseph Diaz Jr.

Fans have to take their hats off to the 25-year old Diaz (26-0, 14 KOs). The Californian takes this fight across the country in Russell’s backyard, fighting in a smaller venue that will likely be filled with fans overwhelming there to support Russell (28-1, 17 KOs) and his two brothers.

And, he is doing so when WBA Featherweight champion Leo Santa Cruz has mentioned potential targets for his next two to three fights, and Russell’s name was never included.

Regardless, whether Russell is bad business or too much risk with little reward, Diaz comes up short tonight. Similarly to Stevenson’s inactivity, Russell only has a single fight in each of the last three calendar years. The champion enters the fight with a slight height disadvantage, but the reach is a wash for both fighters.

Russell’s hand speed and physicality create the deciding gap between the two fighters. Diaz will be game, but after running out of adjustments somewhere around the 7th or 8th, Russell will make a run at closing the show.

Team Russell’s recent appearances on everything the past few months all concluded with a stern warning or a vow to avenge the loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko. With Lomachenko collecting a world title at Lightweight last Saturday night, Russell’s ideal swan song bout is jeopardized. But, since we may not see Russell until 2019, a devastating victory tonight serves multiple purposes.

Lee Selby vs. Josh Warrington

IBF Lightweight champion Selby and Warrington combine for 15 KOs in 52 fights. Tune in to this matchup to continue to be amazed by the raucous fans who support the UK fight scene. Undefeated Warrington is four years younger than the 31-year old champion, and he has stopped two of last three opponents.

This writer looks forward to seeing whether Warrington’s pressure can gradually become too much for Selby’s boxing skills, and secondly to enjoy the international flavor of the chat rooms for either of Showtime’s live-streams.

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