Austin Trout-Delvin Rodrigues Like the two higher profile fights on the card, Trout vs Rodriguez is a matchup of youth and experience. Trout has never been in with anyone as tough as Rodriguez and better be ready to fight hard for 12 rounds. Rodriguez has lost three of his last six fights while Trout only has one knockout over his last seven. Look for Trout to stay on the outside and box while Rodriguez looks to make it a brawl. Whichever fighter is able to dictate the pace should come out on top. Trout, who has the edge in overall skills, is the much fresher of the two and will win by comfortable decision

 

Rob Soucy: The typical boxer vs puncher match-up as Tarver looks to avoid Kayode's substantial power while teaching him a lesson in Boxing 101. So far only a couple of opponents were able to finish fights with Kayode, but even in his 40's Tarver is on a different level. Tarver should be able to see everything well and pick it off as kayode hasn't shown the ability to throw straight punches with any consistency. Early in his last fight Kayode was hurt and in some trouble against Matt Godfrey, so his chin is still a question mark. Tarver should be able to outbox Kayode and maybe even stop him. The prediction here is Tarver by mid- round knockout.

 

John McCormick: Kid Chocolate Peter Quillin wins a lopsided unanimous decision victory. I don't expect much of a slug fest, just Quillin out working Wright over the course of the fight while Winky hides in his peek-a-boo shell trying to survive. Wright will show a tremendous amount of ring rust, Quillin will take advantage and send Wright into retirement for good.

Scott Shaffer: I am going with the old pro. My feeling is Quillin will not force the pace as much as he should and Wright will be able to go at a workrate that he can sustain. Wright by close decision.

Doveed Linder: Quillin via decision.  Youth an energy will overcome experience.  Winky will be motivated and I don’t think he’ll get completely shut out, as was the case when he faced Paul Williams.  But given his age and over three years out of the ring, he will be facing an uphill battle against an undefeated lion.

Stephen "Breadman" Edwards: Quillin.

Michael Walters: I think Winky has been out for too long and as much as I would like to see him win I think Quillin is too young and strong for Winky at this point. I like Quillin by UD.

Austin Trout-Delvin Rodrigues Like the two higher profile fights on the card, Trout vs Rodriguez is a matchup of youth and experience. Trout has never been in with anyone as tough as Rodriguez and better be ready to fight hard for 12 rounds. Rodriguez has lost three of his last six fights while Trout only has one knockout over his last seven. Look for Trout to stay on the outside and box while Rodriguez looks to make it a brawl. Whichever fighter is able to dictate the pace should come out on top. Trout, who has the edge in overall skills, is the much fresher of the two and will win by comfortable decision

 

Rob Soucy: Peter Quillin is on the verge of a big fight at middleweight while Winky Wright is trying to prove that he is still relevant at the world class level. Not having fought in over three years, who the hell knows what Winky will bring to the table other than some good defensive skills. It shouldn't matter though as Quillin figures to be much busier as well as the hungrier fighter. Wright will have nothing to keep Quillin off of him as "Kid Chocolate" should win an uneventful decision. 

 

 

John McCormick: This is a tough one to call. Trout has great talent but Rodriguez is technically sound. I expect Trout to win a hard fought decision.

Scott Shaffer: I'll go with Rodriguez for the same reason I took Carl Froch last week: Rodriguez is battle proven and knows how to swim when the water gets deep.

Doveed Linder: Trout via decision.  Trout is considered by many to be one of the top junior middleweights, but he hasn’t faced any opponents with notoriety.  Rodriguez is a good test.  It’s a tough fight to call, but I give Trout the benefit of the doubt because he’s a little younger and little fresher.

Michael Walters: In the Trout vs. Rodriguez match up I have been going back and forth for the last couple weeks. I am going to go with Trout by late round stoppage in a good give and take match up.

Rob Soucy: Like the two higher profile fights on the card, Trout vs Rodriguez is a matchup of youth and experience. Trout has never been in with anyone as tough as Rodriguez and better be ready to fight hard for 12 rounds. Rodriguez has lost three of his last six fights while Trout only has one knockout over his last seven. Look for Trout to stay on the outside and box while Rodriguez looks to make it a brawl. Whichever fighter is able to dictate the pace should come out on top. Trout, who has the edge in overall skills, is the much fresher of the two and will win by comfortable decision.

John McCormick: Santa Cruz via early stoppage. 

Scott Shaffer: South African fighters never do well here because of the time difference. And if the South Africans do by chance perform well, they usually get robbed on the scorecards. Santa Cruz by decision.

Doveed Linder: Santa Cruz via stoppage.  I know very little about these two fighters, but based on their records, it’s clear that Santa Cruz has been groomed to be a champion, whereas Malinga has some losses early in his career and a recent loss via first round TKO.

Michael Walters: I like the 23 year old Santa Cruz by UD even though Malinga has been in with the better competition.