SteemSports Presenter:
SteemSports Editor:
For the WBO World Middleweight Title
Billy Joe Saunders:
The outspoken WBO middleweight champion has morphed himself into the most comedic figure in boxing today. He is no joke in the ring, but the build ups to his fights will be rife with his utter disrespect and mocking of the opponent. His close wars and win over Eubank Jr. have given him due respect as the WBO champion, but to make his true legacy due, he must fight the winner of Golovkin vs. Canelo...eventually. Cockiness and brazen will to destroy are evident in the ring with this man, he is a true general as he never backs away from the fire. Expect Billy Joe to be pursuant of the knockout as he usually is, and expect a barn burner of the highest potential every time this guy throws down!
Willie Monroe Jr.:
Monroe poses an interesting threat to most of the middleweight division as he is one of the more technical big men in boxing today. He has great punching form and fights more like an Olympic style boxer than anything else. His jab and fluidity are always on point, but his defense has always been a a bit lacking. He hasn't shown to be too tattered in his win streak since Golovkin finished him, and that is a great thing against the brawlish opponent he has coming up. Monroe must stick to his essentials, and counter well off the back foot to stop the mad man in Saunders. I give the American a very fair shot in this bout, he will surely steal rounds.
Breakdown and Prediction:
Both men have shows their place in the top 10 of middleweight, yet Saunders does come out on top in terms of competition beat. With wins over former and current champions in Andy Lee and Chris Eubank Jr., Saunders goes into this matchup with the confidence to take and deliver for 12 rounds easily.
Neither men are finishers, but Monroe showed great endurance and craftiness in his bout against Rosado, a fight he started to truly take over in the later rounds. Monroe is an absolute technician on the feet, and he won't betray his style for crowd or glory. This will be a great boxing match that pits two styles, and two attitudes together. There has been a lot of pre fight hype and trash talk between these two men, we will see how can back it up this Saturday night!
Tough fight to call as the oddsmakers are convinced Billy takes this one. I truly see a split or majority decision, as both men are durable enough for the other man's blows. I enjoy watching both men fight, and the contrast in styles which pits bruiser vs. technician gets me excited for the sport of boxing in general! We will see fireworks, and a heated rivalry between these two men...Saunders always finds a way to make things personal. This is an excellent co-main event piece to the wondrous main event, expect an excellent night of boxing come the 16th!
