Team RSR Fight Picks: Zab Judah Vs Lucas Matthysse & Rafael Marquez Vs Juan Manuel Lopez
Compiled by Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett
This is more like it! Three terrifically competitive match-ups certain to perk up an otherwise damp, dreary fall weekend, and it’s the sort of action packed weekend we used to have on a regular basis.
On the one hand you have Zab Judah coming back at his best and most effective weight against the hard punching, 27-0, 25 KO’s Lucas Matthysse for the vacant WBO NABO title. The winner of this bout moves ahead towards a likely high profile encounter with the winner of Timothy Bradley/Devon Alexander. On the other, you have the 29-0, 26 KO’s Juan Manuel Lopez defending his WBO featherweight title against Rafael Marquez, the hard punching former WBC super bantamweight champion known for taking it to the brink each and every time he enters the ring. Both of these contests pit a former world champion against new blood bent on legacy and riches. The stakes are high at the crossroads!
Sharing the card with Judah/Matthysse at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, former linear and IBF/IBO light heavyweight champion Glen Johnson challenges the hard punching Allan Green in the latest chapter of the brilliant super middleweight Super Six Tournament. It’s another crossroads bout between a virtual ring Methuselah and a determined contender bent on moving towards redemption, with the winner certain to move towards the next round of the tourney. Let the fun begin.
Ringside Report’s team of writers offer their expert opinions on the outcome:
Zab Judah vs. Lucas Matthysse:
Brian Wilbur
Zab Judah hasn’t impressed me since he competitively lost to Floyd Mayweather in 2006. Since then he has looked like a one-round wonder similar to his Brooklyn hero Mike Tyson. I’ll go with Matthyse more due to my lack of faith in Judah more than my belief that Matthyse is for real. Lots of leather exchanged early but Judah runs over of gas and quits on his stool in the 9th.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Matthysee by 5th round TKO
Delroy Hill
I’ll take Zab by ko or tko somewhere around rounds 3 or 4. He has too much speed for Matthysse and he seems much more focused than ever. Both fighters will look to land big shots, but if Zab can stay sharp on defense, he’ll be fine. His skills are far superior.
Geno McGahee
Every time I pick Judah to win (Mayweather, Corley, etc.) I lose. I ‘m going with Matthysse based mainly on my history of losing with Judah. The undefeated Matthysse by close UD or late TKO.
Stuart Gracey
Judah by UD
Mike Plunkett
Matthysse by mid-round KO.
Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Rafael Marquez
Brian Wilbur
I love Rafael Marquez. He was one of the best bantamweight champions of the last few decades. In this fight however, he is fighting above his natural weight class and has always been a little chinny. Juanma Lopez looks like a future super star. Lopez can do anything that Israel Vazquez can do only he is faster and significantly more technically sound. The fight will be fun while it lasts because Rafa has heart, but Lopez will knock him out in 6.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Lopez by SD
Delroy Hill
I think Juan Ma will get a late stoppage over Marquez. He’s got the speed, size, & power advantages, plus he’s 8 yrs younger. Marquez is a crafty, tough legend, so I’m expecting a back and forth war, but Juanma comes out on top.
Geno McGahee
Lopez may be too much for Marquez at this stage of his career. The questionable chin of Lopez may be the difference with the cagy Marquez, but I still think that Lopez will survive some rocky moments and get a TKO in 6 rounds.
Stuart Gracey
Lopez by late KO
Mike Plunkett
Lopez climbs off the deck to stop Marquez, sometime after the 8th.
Glen Johnson vs. Allan Green (Super Six Tournament)
Brian Wilbur
Glen Johnson’s longevity is amazing and until he proves me otherwise I am going to assume that his age is not a factor. His grizzled approach, constant pressure, and overall toughness will wear down Allan Green and put him in survival mode. Johnson by split decision in a decision that should be unanimous.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Johnson by UD
Delroy Hill
Even though Glen Johnson did not look good against Tavoris Cloud in August, he still offered a lot more than Allan Green did in June against Andre Ward. I’m not a big fan of Green, but he should be able to win a hard fought decision over 41 yr old Johnson. The only reason I give the edge to Green is because Johnson hasn’t fought at 168 in 10 yrs, so i’m sure the age and weight will be an issue. But something tells me we could be in for another lackluster performance from Green.
Geno McGahee
Glen Johnson, older and dropping in weight classes can’t be good. Allan Green looked like hell in his last fight. A tough one…but Green by UD or late TKO.
Stuart Gracey
Green by close decision.
Mike Plunkett
A badly fading Johnson grinds out a hotly disputed split decision.