Fight Week: Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury, Floyd Mayweather exhibition take center stage

FIGHT WEEK

Also on the card: Elvis Rodriguez vs. Joseph Adorno, junior welterweights; Jamal James vs. Alberto Palmetta, welterweights

Prediction: Matias KO 8
Background: This matchup between offense-minded warriors should be pleasing to the fans. Matias is uber-aggressive and has the power necessary to succeed with that style, as all of his victories have come by knockout. The 30-year-old Puerto Rican met his match when he was narrowly outpointed by Petros Ananyan but dropped and stopped Ananyan in the ninth round of their rematch in January of last year. That was Matias’ most-recent fight, meaning he has been out of the ring for 13 months. Ponce isn’t quite as aggressive as Matias but he also has a seek-and-destroy style, using his length (he’s 5-foot-11) to deliver whipping shots to the head and body. And while he doesn’t have the concussive power of Matias he has stopped his last three opponents and four of his last five. Ponce’s last three fights have taken place in Europe, including a third-round knockout of journeyman Achiko Odikadze in his most-recent outing last April in Germany. He will be making his U.S. debut on Saturday. Neither Matias nor Ponce has fought for a major world title.

Background: Mayweather will be taking part in his sixth exhibition and making his debut in the U.K. The 46-year-old Hall of Famer was scheduled to face Muay Thai fighter Liam Harrison but Harrison pulled out because of an injury. Enter Chalmers, a British reality television star and former MMA competitor (5-2) with one boxing match, a decision over journeyman Alexander Zeledon at middleweight last June in Liverpool. He appeared on the shows “Geordie Shore” and “Ex on the Beach.” Mayweather’s exhibitions: Tenshin Nasukawa in 2018, Logan Paul in 2021, Don Moore last May, Mikuru Asakura in September and Deji Olatunji in November. He last took part in a sanctioned bout in 2017, when he stopped Conor McGregor in 10 rounds to run his record to 50-0.

Also on the card: Ilunga Makabu vs. Badou Jack, cruiserweights (for Makabu’s WBC title)

Prediction: Paul KO 4
Background: Jake Paul vs. Tommy Fury is finally happening after some starts and stops. Both men are good athletes with some ability but remain rank beginners. Indeed, this event is on pay-per-view because of their massive followings, not their accomplishments. Paul, a YouTuber-turned-boxer, has had success against a retired NBA player (Nate Robinson) and former MMA fighters, including a clear unanimous decision over 47-year-old Anderson Silva in an eight-rounder this past October. Paul made a big splash when he rendered Tyrone Woodley unconscious with a monstrous overhand right in their rematch in December 2021, which preceded the Silva fight. Fury, the half brother of heavyweight champion Tyson Fury, can be described as the first boxer that Paul will have faced but his opposition has been hand-picked. He is well known as a reality TV star in the U.K.

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

Manuel Gallegos vs. Richard Vansiclen, super middleweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV).

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

Jason Sanchez vs. Andy Beltran, junior lightweight, Rio Rancho, New Mexico (FITE).
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Jesus Martinez, bantamweights, Hialeah, Florida (no TV in U.S.).

SATURDAY

Dina Thorslund vs. Debora Anahi Lopez, bantamweights (for Thorslund’s WBO title), Holstebro, Denmark (no TV in U.S.).
Lewis Ritson vs. Ohara Davies, junior welterweights, Newcastle, England (no TV in U.S.)

SUNDAY

Nestor Bravo vs. Jair Valtierra, junior welterweights, Orlando, Florida (CBS Sports Network).

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