Deontay Wilder v Bermane Stiverne
After 38 fights, 38 wins and 37 knockouts, everyone’s hoping to see Wilder finally be tested by an opponent.
Unfortunately, that won’t happen this weekend.
The American has already beaten Stiverne once, by unanimous decision back in January 2015, and will almost certainly do so again in New York on Saturday night.
Wilder took the WBC title from the Canadian in that fight, but – for the first and only time in his career to date – was unable to knock him out.
Wilder used that bout to showcase his boxing ability, though, and focused on using his jab to win comfortably on points.
Stiverne has a fine chin, having only been stopped once by Demetrice King in 2007, but he will probably be knocked out against the division’s biggest puncher not named Anthony Joshua.
A stoppage in the second half of the fight is the likeliest outcome.
Shawn Porter v Adrian Granados
Former IBF world champion Porter can set up a rematch with welterweight king Keith Thurman with a win over the rugged, if slightly limited, Granados.
The Mexican’s record of 18 wins, five defeats and two draws isn’t impressive, but he has been in great fights with some top fighters and should test Porter on Saturday night.
Granados took former four-weight world champion Adrien Broner to a split decision in his last fight, and has never been knocked out.
Porter outpointed Broner easily in 2015, however, and is probably the best opponent that Granados has ever faced.
Thurman and Kell Brook are the only fighters who have ever beaten Porter, and it’s hard to see the 30-year-old losing to anyone other than elite welterweights.
Granados will make it a tricky, gruelling bout, but Porter is the classier fighter and should manage to come away with a win on points.
Dominic Breazeale v Eric Molina
This meeting between two of Anthony Joshua’s vanquished opponents has the potential to be a close, entertaining fight, mainly due to Breazeale’s power and durability.
The American did well to last seven rounds against Joshua in June 2016, and bounced back with a win over Izu Ogonoh in his last fight in February.
That bout was a war, with Breazeale showing impressive heart and conditioning to get up off the canvas and put the Polish 30-year-old away with a huge knockout in the fifth round.
Another win could earn the former college quarterback a shot at a world title, and he should get it against Molina.
The 35-year-old is a big puncher who wobbled Wilder when they fought in 2015, but he hasn’t done much since aside from being smashed in three rounds by Joshua last December.
Seven of Molina’s last eight fights have ended inside the distance and he’ll probably need a stoppage to beat Breazeale on Saturday night.
The younger man’s chin will be the decisive factor here, though. He is really tough to beat, and should manage to keep Molina at bay and grab a decision win.
