Nathan Cleverly to beat Tommy Karpency: Boxing prediction

We highlight the fights to watch this weekend and bring you our prediction for Nathan Cleverly v Tommy Karpency

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By Mike Pope Friday 24 February 2012, 11:14 UK

Prediction: Cleverly to beat Karpency by late TKO

Britain’s only world champion, WBO light heavyweight Nathan Cleverly, defends his title for the third time against American Tommy Karpency in Cardiff on Saturday night. This fight is seen as keep busy bout as the Welshman tries to secure a big summer fight against the division’s top names such as Chad Dawson, Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal. Cleverly has claimed he has been fully committed in training and he will not under estimate his opponent. If this is the case, expect him to dominate the fight from the start with his solid jab and decent lateral movement. Karpency is a good fighter who has only been beaten twice in his professional career but he has never faced an opponent of Cleverly’s class and will struggle to hurt the Welshman. As the rounds go by, Karpency will take more and more punishment and the referee will be forced to stop the fight in the late rounds, handing Cleverly the victory.

Prediction: Perez to beat Broner by spilt decision

Adrien Broner is the WBO super-featherweight title holder and is the favourite going into his bout with Eloy Perez but the American will struggle against his underrated opponent. From looking at both boxers’ respective records it would be easy to assume that Broner, with his vastly superior power, will dominate and win convincingly. However, Perez has stopped his last two opponents and appears to be landing punches with greater snap and emphasis now and has very good lateral movement with the ability to trouble Broner throughout. The fight has the potential to be a big upset and a fight of the year of candidate if Broner and Perez’ styles mesh perfectly in the ring. Expect Broner to start the quickest as he tries to assert his authority from the off, but Perez will be intelligent enough to ride out the onslaught. As the fight progresses both men will trade punches and rounds, with both potentially hitting the canvas. The fight should go the full 12 rounds and the winner will be difficult to determine but Perez could sneak the decision.

Prediction: Alexander to beat Maidana by split decision

Former light-welterweight contenders Devon Alexander and Marcos Maidana face each other on Saturday night in Saint Louis at 147lbs. This is a classic matchup between a boxer puncher, Alexander and a slugger, Maidana and it should be a crowd pleasing classic. Both men have fought for world titles at light-welterweight and they could be real contenders at welterweight. Expect Alexander to dictate the early pace of the fight using his natural athleticism and superior speed to trouble Maidana. However, the Argentinian has knock out power in both hands and this threat will prevent Alexander from committing to his punches early on. As the rounds go on Alexander will win many rounds due to his ability to dance in and out of danger, forcing Maidana to miss with his power punches. The fight may become similar to Maidana’s fight against Amir Khan as Alexander wins most of the rounds but will have to be aware of his opponents’ power. At the final bell Alexander will win via a split decision.