Predictions: Lucian Bute vs Librado Andrade & Joan Guzman vs Ali Funeka
by The Boxing Bulletin on Nov 28, 2009 5:08 PM EST
in Predictions
2 comments
Quebec City is the host for tonight's HBO double-header.
The main-event between Lucian Bute and Librado Andrade features a rematch of one of boxing's most controversial fights in recent memory. The fighters weighed in yesterday, with both tipping the scales at just under 167 pounds.
The show opens with an intriguing lightweight class between Ali Funeka and Joan Guzman. Funeka weighed in at just under 134, with Guzman coming in a 1/2 pound less.
Here are our predictions...
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Jeff Pryor (Bute & Funeka) |
I think it will be tough for Andrade to do better than he did in his first match with Bute, while on the other hand Lucien can play it safer and conserve energy. Andrade will have to go in with a I-will- not-be-denied mentality to better his performance. If the referee keeps Bute from holding, then Andrade may be able to wear him down sooner than before, but odds are that Bute will coast to clear decision. Check out Jeff's Preview of the fight: Librado Andrade: Time Collector 6'1" and with a long reach advantage, Funeka is a tough size matchup for everyone in his division and he fought reasonably well against a weight weakened Nate Campbell. Guzman is long in the tooth and has been inactive. It really comes down to how focused and how physically ready Guzman is to fight. If he's well prepared, he has the more talent, but I'll go with Funeka to have learned something from his fight with Campbell and pull out a decision. |
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Andrew Fruman (Bute & Funeka) |
I agree with Jeff. Chances are that Bute should play it a little safer and cruise to a clear win, but if the referee really clamps down on holding - which very few refs do - Andrade will get more chances toget work done, and that could potentially make for another very interesting finish.
I'm taking Funeka to upset Guzman. It might be a little presumptuous given his undefeated record, but I believe Guzman's on the decline. He's had stamina issues late in fights, and looked awful in his most recent outing. I think we'll see a fairly even fight over the first 4 or 5 rounds, before Funeka takes over and convincingly wins a clear cut decision. |
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Carlos Acevedo of The Cruelest Sport (Bute) |
Andrade, aware that he will not earn a decision in Montreal, will try harder this time to knock out Bute. For his part, Bute will try harder to avoid being knocked out. In the end, it is a question of who can cancel out the other. Bute, who dominated nearly every round of their first bout, is the more skilled fighter and has less tweaking to do in the rematch than Andrade does. He should be able to outbox Andrade and win a decision, although Andrade will be dangerous from bell to bell. |
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Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook (Bute & Guzman) |
I love Andrade. He's like a piece of iron. And if he can get his punch output up, he can do damage to anybody, including Bute. It's been a joy watching Bute continue to improve and become perhaps the best 168-pound fighter in the world today, but he's beatable. That said, if he boxes, doesn't try to knock Andrade out (because it's not happening), and doesn't run out of gas the way he did the first time around, he'll cruise -- the way he was doing the first time around. I figure Andrade does make a real run at winning this thing in some short burst when he goes for broke, but Bute takes it by wide decision.
Really a very intriguing fight at 135. Guzman hasn't fought a top opponent in two years and at 33, is a bit longer in the tooth than you might think at first. His inactivity (one fight per year in 2007 and 2008) also might make him a bit older than he really is. But he's taken no punishment in his career, really, and the last time he did face a top opponent, he routed Humberto Soto. Giving up six inches in height to Funeka could be a major problem, but Funeka was still very raw when we last saw him in February. My heart wants to go with Funeka, who broke down and cried after the loss to Campbell (his first fight on American soil), and has gotten a well-deserved second chance at the IBF title. But my head picks the boxer. Guzman by decision. Check out Scott's previews of both fights at Bad Left Hook - Lucian Bute vs Librado Andrade II & Joan Guzman vs Ali Funeka |
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Matt Miller of Bad Left Hook (Bute & Guzman) |
I see Bute dominating Andrade in a nonetheless exciting bout. Andrade the Robot only knows how to fight one way, but Bute can adjust and will put on a near clinic this time. Nevertheless Andrade's heart and chin will keep this entertaining.
Guzman in a stinker |
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Mark Lyons (Bute & Guzman) |
Bute strikes me as a mentally strong fighter and just being a bit more relaxed in there will help his stamina. He also knows for certain that Andrade is dangerous all night, that should keep him from getting too cocky at how easy things are early. Librado will press the whole time and Bute will outbox him. 11-1 or a shutout for the defending champion.
Lord knows what Guzman has in his tank and Funeka will press the fight to find out. I’m guessing Joan still has enough here and he will hurt the wide open Funeka a few times with counters and cruise to a UD or late stoppage. |
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Lee Payton (Bute & Funeka) |
Bute should win this fight with his talent and quickness. How tough it is depends heavily on how many chances he wants to take and how much holding is permitted by the ref. I'll take the champ by a hard fought 9-3 decision.
I think the South African has more going for him at the moment. Guzman is just too much of a mystery these days for me to back him despite his obvious gifts. |
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Ivan Montiel (Bute & Guzman) |
Andrade will go after Bute like a bull from the start, but just like when they met last year, I believe Bute will out-box him. Bute by decision in a fight he has to work even harder in than the first time.
I like the underdog in this one. Funeka by decision, but wouldn't rule out a late stoppage. |
0 recs |
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I am going with Andrade in a stoppage… common… he isn’t going to get a points win.
Funeka will get the points win due to Guzman being a bitch and not letting his hands go.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
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