Fight Predictions: Yuriorkis Gamboa vs Jorge Solis / Steve Molitor vs. Takalani Ndlovu
Complied by Mike Plunkett
Heading into our fifth straight excellent weekend of boxing, 2011 is shaping up to be better for consistent action than had been the case a year ago. This weekend features two excellent title bouts in the lighter weight divisions, one of which headlined by the 19-0, 15 KO’s Yuriorkis Gamboa, one of the two more top-tier featherweights today, a compelling power-punching stud bent on destruction. At the other end of the spectrum the super bantamweight division is under the spotlight as Steve Molitor, 33-1, 12 KO’s, once again takes the show on the road as he looks to make the second defense of his title a successful springboard to something bigger down the road, in a situation and against a foe that suggests the possibility of extreme difference in outcome. RSR’s select team of writers, interviewers and pugilistic prognosticators provide you with their expert opinions on the outcomes.
Yuriorkis Gamboa vs Jorge Solis (WBA Super World & IBF featherweight titles)
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Gamboa has too many tools in his box for Solis. It will be an early night say around the 4th round…
Brian Wilbur
Jorge Solis is a very solid fighter and worthy contender. However I don’t think that he is quite on the same level as Gamboa, the sensational Cuban. I think Yuriorkis impressively smashes Solis with a one-punch KO in the 5th as he continues on his collision course with Juan Manuel Lopez.
Joseph Garcia
Jorge Solis is probably best remembered for giving Manny Pacquiao a decent fight and that’s what I see him doing against Yuriorkis Gamboa. He is a second-tier fighter but will push Gamboa to earn his money and break a sweat but in the end Gamboa’s skill takes over and stops Solis in the 6th round by TKO.
Eugene Zelenyi
I am calling this the 1st fight of the trilogy between Yuriorkis Gamboa and Jorge Solis. I think the result is a draw, and this will be an extremely hard battle for the talented Gamboa and for the veteran Solis. Both have tremendous heart and will to win, so this will be a see-saw all the way to the end.
Gina Caliboso
Gamboa has decidedly put his undefeated KO record to the test going up against Solis. The two are evenly matches physically, but I don’t doubt the Mexican brawler Solis will give Gamboa a run in the later rounds. Prediction: Gamboa by 8th round KO
Benjamin Bieker
Jorge Solis will win this fight. He has been in there with bigger names and better fighters than Yuriorkis, and just because he is the underdog it means nothing. Solis will be his first real test, in my eyes, and he will fail.
Geno McGahee
Gamboa’s speed will lead him to a unanimous decision in the 115-113 range. I think his speed and mobility will be the big difference.
Mike Plunkett
Yuriorkis Gamboa is a deliciously flawed power-packed talent that is given to providing inconsistent performances. Jorge Solis managed to stay undefeated for ages until running into a semi-interested variant of Manny Pacquiao four years ago, only then hitting the ceiling on his abilities. Look for Gamboa’s advantage in speed to be the deciding factor in the early rounds, which will ultimately serve to create the required openings for delivery of his considerable power by the middle rounds, at which point the referee will be forced to wave matters off. Gamboa via 7th-round TKO.
Steve Molitor vs. Takalani Ndlovu (IBF super bantamweight title)
Brian Wilbur
I’m not exactly sure why these two keep fighting. Their first two fights weren’t exactly the stuff of legends. I’ll go with Steve Molitor by safe decision, though Takalani Ndlovu finally has home field advantage so we’ll see what he can do with that.
Joseph Garcia
Steve Molitor hasn’t been the same fighter since his big loss to Celestino Cabellero but I’d have to give him the edge here in this rematch with Ndlovu. I see a unanimous decision on Takalani’s home turf but it will be a closely contested fight.
Eugene Zelenyi
Steve Molitor will get a unanimous decision over Takalani, in mostly tactical, but at times explosive battle.
Gina Caliboso
Perhaps a 3rd bout is the charm, Ndlovu can figure out how to beat Molitor. Neither fighter is a KO puncher but will probably try to outbox each other with better combinations. Prediction: Ndlovu over Molitor – 12 round unanimous decision.
Benjamin Bieker
I can’t go against the Canadian southpaw here. Molitor takes this fight from Takalani by stoppage in the later rounds.
Mike Plunkett
This rubber match is more the result of alphabet politics than any great hue and cry to have these two dance yet another song. Steve Molitor has proven the master in their two prior encounters but as Dr. Pugilist aptly pointed out the venue may possibly play a role in the outcome of this third chapter. It’ll be interesting to see if Takalani Ndlovu will fight with notched-up purpose given that this almost has to surely be his very last kick at the can. I’m wondering if Molitor really has completely recovered from the Celestino Caballero disaster, his last few showings, although victories, hinted that something may have been taken from him on that fateful night almost three years ago. My gut on this one is that my fellow countryman will bring home the title after a far closer than expected and possibly controversial struggle. Look for Molitor to retain his title by majority decision.