The
quickly popular NBC Sports Network boxing program is becoming an equal to
ESPN2’s “Friday Night Fights” in terms of quality if not quantity. Tonight’s
card was scheduled to be even better but a back injury to top 10-rated light heavyweight
Gabriel Campillo scuttled an intriguing matchup against Russian prospect Sergey
Kovalev. To the network’s credit (its fourth boxing show), the co-featured
boxers are good enough to support the show and are local attractions as well.
Gabriel Rosado and Ronald Cruz are Pennsylvania products, which is good to see
since the building of regional stars is a lost art with American promoters
seeking easy casino or network money instead of...well…promoting!
At the Sands Casino Resort,
Bethlehem, PA
(NBC
Sports) Gabriel Rosado (20-5) vs. Charles Whittaker (38-12-2)
(NBC
Sports) Ronald Cruz (17-0) vs. Antwone Smith (21-4-1)
Antwone Smith – Three years ago, Smith was my kind of fighter (minus grunting with every
punch). Unable to sign with a big promoter, the Miami product was matched tough
and developed as a boxer as a result. Now 25, Smith seems to have regressed
though I initially viewed his attitude and ring intellect mirroring a young
James Toney. That was before an unexpected defeat to Lanardo Tyner and setbacks
to Kermit Cintron (closer than scored) and Roberto Garcia in which Smith did
not deviate from losing strategies. In 2009, Smith was the underdog in three
consecutive ESPN2 appearances but emerged victorious. He beat quality opponents
whose style Smith evaluated judiciously before picking them apart. Smith began
boxing at age 13 in the competitive Florida amateur system, going 36-6 and
winning the state Golden Gloves title. A straightforward boxer on the surface
but can change to a countering style if sensing an advantage. Decision wins
over undefeated power-puncher Norberto Gonzalez and veteran Richard Gutierrez
attracted promoter Lou DiBella, who signed Smith when he heard the boxer had no
representation. Smith lost his sixth pro fight to skilled Ed Paredes, a fight
some had Smith winning and he did not back down from taking more hard fights. A
solidly built but average-sized welterweight, Smith lacks range with short arms
and underutilized jab. I get the feeling Smith is a natural counterpuncher who
presses out of frustration when opponents do not engage him, so a bit of
patience is still needed on offense. A 46% kayo ratio could be higher if matched
soft like other prospects but over 144 rounds, Smith learned to make his
punches smarter instead of harder. Still not there 100% mentally, fighting down
or up to the level of competition and could still see himself as the
“opponent.” Smith has overcome cuts, refusing to let the blood affect his game
plan. Best asset could be his feet, moving Smith into position to counter or
lead and make up for the lack of a thudding jab. Has a solid left hand and goes
to the body hard from the opening bell. Never seen Smith rattled and he has a
sense of ease in the ring that cannot be taught. Not fast, flashy, powerful or
a defensive wizard, most of the time Smith just finds a way to win.
Ronald Cruz – Moved to America as a child from Puerto Rico, maturing in the tough
Pennsylvania gym system, sparring the likes of Derek Ennis, Demetrius Hopkins
and Mike Jones. Lacked an opportunity to box until age 18 when a gym opened
near him. Cruz showed natural adeptness but did not spend much time in the
amateurs establishing a 25-3 record over 13 months. Because Cruz came to the
sport late, he sticks to the book, not freelancing or taking chances like seasoned
boxers, holding both hands high and searching for openings behind a strong jab.
Best asset is determined commitment to body work, saying it feels natural and
given results, it is painful to opponents. On the negative side, Cruz can put
on the earmuffs and ride out punches when pressed, not using lateral movement
or his strength to get out of bad places. Is not fluid with combinations though
Cruz will throw in bunches when allowed to work inside or come forward. Not particularly
fast with his hands but has good timing and fills voids with a jab instead of
waiting for openings. Basically, a pressure fighter with the stamina to pull
out wins in distance fights. Seems to possess a good chin, which is tested
because Cruz drops lead jab due to footwork issues. Confuses foes by turning
southpaw at will, a valuable strategy since Cruz is a natural lefty who fights
orthodox. Cruz’s most difficult win was over Allen Conyers (who hung first
losses on 20-0 James De La Rosa and 10-0 Derek Ennis) and Cruz’s two best wins
came over fringe contender Anges Adjaho and one-time prospect Prenice Brewer.
Fought five times last year, upping his level of opposition this year without
looking out of his depth. Against Jeremy Bryan (a two-time National Golden
Gloves champion), Cruz showed composure and patience rallying for a late
stoppage win. That’s how Cruz wants it, telling writer Robert Coster, “I don’t
mind fighting tough guys; that’s how you progress. I’d like to combine the
skills of Wilfredo Benitez and the power of [Felix] ‘Tito’ Trinidad; that would
be the perfect combination for success.” A strong silent type with a humble
personality, Cruz is married and works at night to train during day. SecondsOut’s
Jason Pribila likes Cruz, “He seems to be a pure student of the game and continues
to add more wrinkles to his overall game.”
Verdict – Two
years ago, I would have chosen Smith to win this fight but believe the mental
attitude these boxers enter with sets Rosado apart. Cruz has the look and feel
of a boxer on the way up while Smith seems to have settled in to the life of a
tough journeyman. Cruz is not frustrated early in fights and works his way into
bouts while Smith likes to be pressured and finds the holes the application of
pressure creates in a foe’s defense. The constant body attack and upper body
strength of Cruz catches up with Smith, who has defensive lapses, showing in
the Garcia fight that he can be outworked. After the fifth stanza, the rounds
become repetitive as Cruz lands more, forcing Smith into a lower punch output
with bodywork and forward momentum. Cruz wins it nine rounds to three.
Charles Whittaker – The
38-year-old blue-collar fighter has not lost in eight years, evolving from a
journeyman into a fringe title contender. Enters off two 12-round decision
wins in 2011, earned on the back of a solid punch and great work ethic.
Whittaker is a local hero in his birthplace of Cayman Islands, even bringing some
good fight cards to his backyard, and in his last fight, looked good
dismantling Giorbis Barthelemy of Cuba. Now fights out of Miami where Whittaker
gets quality sparring and has been in the ring with the likes of Roy Jones Jr.,
proving his stamina and physical strength despite being nearly 40. Sports a big
upper body and broad shoulders that he dips and uses well to blunt charges from
foes on defense. Whittaker learned the hard way, only competing in 11 amateur
bouts, and 10 of his 12 pro losses came in his first 27 fights. Since then, has
gone 21-1-1 but the level of opposition was not as good as it was when Whittaker
endured a six-fight winless streak from 1999 to 2001. That shows an excellent
mental attitude that Whittaker overcame that horrible stretch, which will be
needed against an aggressive pressure fighter like Rosado. Keeps right hand
high on defense (left does droop low), advancing with small steps, but lacks
elite hand and foot speed to track down movers or cuties. Timing and
persistence are his biggest assets on offense and when Whittaker hits, they
land with a thud but take time to wear on foes. Jab followed by right hand is
Whittaker’s mainstay but he can get lazy with it, not throwing until there is a
clear opening, not keeping busy with other punches or body work. Seems to prefer
countering at this stage with only flicking jab used to maintain spacing when
not coming forward. Like others, credits boxing with turning his life around
after a rambunctious youth that landed him in a reform school. A 19-year pro
now, Whittaker thinks he put the mental and physical side together and is
primed for a title run. Is certainly motivated, “This fight means the world to
me; I have paid my dues and [I’m] ready to be number one in the world. After
this fight, I will challenge for the IBF 154 [pound] world title.”
Gabriel Rosado – Don’t let Rosado’s record deceive; he is a tough-as-nails fighter who beats
almost anyone who enters a ring at less than 100%. More importantly, Rosado
learned from his losses, becoming a better boxer and is firing on all cylinders,
scoring career-best wins over Sechew Powell and Jesus Soto Karass in his last
two fights. A pure Philly volume-puncher, at home in local gym wars, he
traveled to the Wild Card Gym recently to steel and focus himself. First gained
attention defeating former champ Kassim Ouma and was in a see-saw slugfest with
prospect Fernando Guerrero, dropping the hometown favorite in a respectable
loss. Was steamrolled by Alfredo Angulo but bounced back, stopping fellow
Philly prospect Latif Mundy and veteran Saul Roman. Rosado remains a work in
progress, not boxing until age 18 and only contesting 17 amateur bouts. Found
belief in his abilities, outpointing undefeated Irish prospect James Moore,
properly dedicating himself to boxing afterward. Maintains active pace,
averaging four fights a year, and improves in the gym constantly. At 6’0”, has
good size and is now using his length to create breathers by boxing from the
outside. Moves well with his feet, mostly to establish distance for his punches
rather than lead foes into punches or set up counters. Once Rosado feels an
advantage, he uses his feet to block escape paths, forcing opponents to engage.
Punches have good form but Rosado is not a hard puncher, preferring volume
punching over setting himself up to throw one hard blow. Stopped 12 of 20
victims but needs three or four rounds to wear on them before punches sink in.
Sometimes smothers punches by fighting on the inside too much, content to lean
and wrestle opponents to sap them of energy. Other than the Angulo bout, has
not been outclassed and never fails to deliver action fights. At 26, Rosado is
in his physical prime but all those tough fights may have aged Rosado beyond
what the calendar says. Leaves no room for excuses, telling writer John
DiSanto, “I’m not going to be satisfied with just the win. I really want to
make a statement. I really want to put on a show. I want to keep the buzz going
about how I’ve been winning my recent fights by knockout.” If Rosado wants to
make the leap to contender, he needs to beat an opponent like Charles Whittaker
impressively.
Verdict – The
winner of this fight is guaranteed an opportunity to challenge IBF junior
middleweight king Cornelius “K9” Bundrage, so both will be highly motivated. Rosado
is in his physical prime and might be the naturally stronger man even though
they are nearly identical in terms of body size. The edge in the speed
department lies with Rosado and he enters on a psyche-strengthening winning
streak over Jesus Soto Karass and Sechew Powell. On top of that, Rosado will be
fighting in his backyard. Rosado sports the advantage in every department, so
unless there is a fight-altering cut or other flukey event, I cannot build a
scenario for Whittaker winning. The one question is whether Rosado stops an
experienced and usually durable Whittaker. Rosado has already said he will be
pressing for a stoppage but I don’t see it coming and if anything, this hurts
Rosado as he loads up with big punches and neglects working the older
Whittaker’s body. I am going to pick Rosado to smother Whittaker late and win
by a unanimous decision, favoring him 98-92 on the scorecards.
Prediction record for 2012:
85% (99-18)
Prediction
record in 2011: 88% (138-19)
Prediction record in 2010: 85% (218-40)