Weekend tempest
It's not every day that the two best pound for pound fighters in the sport fight on the same card.
When that happens you know it's something special.
And from what I've read, the storm that hit the East Coast the past few days will pale in comparison to the fistic tempest that will be unleashed today.
GGG. For several years now, Gennady Golovkin has earned the reputation of being the sport's most feared puncher.
And rightly so. With a record of 36-0 with 33 knockouts, he has a knockout percentage of 91.7% and has knocked out 23 opponents in a row. But for the first time in years, standing in the opposite corner is an opponent that many feel can equal or even surpass his power punching prowess.
At 88% KO percentage, Daniel Jacobs isn't too far behind.
Ever since the sole blemish on his record in 2010, Jacobs has won all 12 fights via the abbreviated route. He has a record of 32-1, 29 KOs and this 30-year old cancer survivor doesn't feel he is the underdog.
MY TAKE. This fight is almost guaranteed to end via stoppage and the three judges scoring this fight will have the best seats in the house.
Hell, they might as well pop the corks early, sit back and enjoy the show.
MY TAKE. I like Jacobs early and Golovkin late. The more athletic Jacobs has one punch knockout power and he can be dangerous while he is still strong and fresh.
In his last outing, GGG was rocked by Kell Brooks early but he weathered the storm to turn the tide and stop the Englishman. Brooks wasn't a true middleweight and if Jacobs hits the sweet spot early, things could get interesting.
However, GGG has better technique and an iron chin. As shown in the Brooks fight he eventually turned the tide and stopped his opponent through his trademark aggression and tenacity.
Jacobs has faster hands and so the more eye-catching shots will probably come from him.
But I am expecting Golovkin to bide his time, punish Jacobs in the middle rounds and stop him in the 7th.
CHOCOLATITO. Roman Gonzales (46-0, 38 KOs) will be defending his WBC super flyweight crown against Thai Wisaksil Wangek. The reigning pound for pound king is not expected to have much too much trouble against Wangek (41-4, 38 KOs) but with the latter's impressive knockout record, you never know.
What gives this bout significance is the fact that Gonzales is fast closing in on the undefeated 49-0 records held by Floyd Mayweather Jr and Rocky Marciano.
VERBATIM. "He's not cancer. This is not a life-threatening situation" - Daniel Jacobs on GGG (http://www.espn.com)
LAST ROUNDS. Are on my sis Jeehan and my SHS batchmate Dennis Alcarez who are celebrating their birthdays this week.
I like Jacobs early and Golovkin late. The more athletic Jacobs has one punch knockout power and he can be dangerous while he is still strong and fresh.