Richard ‘The Boxing Prophet’ Solomon’s Picks Of the Week (7/10/15) RECORD – (173-23)

Richard ‘The Boxing Prophet’ Solomon’s Picks Of the Week (7/10/15)

By Richard Solomon, RCM Boxing Radio Panel-Host

Richard’s love of boxing preceded his love of solid food. Doctors report he came out of his mother’s womb throwing a jab. As a child he would only ever count from 1 to 10, and his favorite superhero didn’t wear a cape- he wore leather gloves that were A Thrilla In Manila. With his uncanny ability to predict fights, his parents gave up dreams of him becoming President and set their sights higher: Boxing Prophet.

His claim to fame: telling the whole world in Feb of 1990 that James Buster Douglas was going to beat Mike Tyson. Through jeers and laughs he stuck to his prediction. Rich was an overnight sensation. A folk hero in his town. The prophet was born. His parents wept.

For every 10 fights Richard predicts – he guarantees 8 out of 10 are correct. He prides himself on not only picking the winner of the fight, but also whether it’s by decision or knockout – being so bold as to even pick the exact round.
Richard went to Adelphi University and holds a Master’s degree in Special Education. He teaches preschool children with learning disabilities and special needs. His kids are fighters and Richard genuinely appreciates and nurtures that spirit in them.

Richard started his career on Adelphi radio in a weekly sports talk show and went on to co-host other boxing radio shows during his career. He is now the RCM Boxing Radio Co-Host since April 2013.

Keith Thurman (25-0, 21KOs) vs. Luis Collazo (36-6, 19KOs)

Like many Boxing fans, I’ve been hyping up Keith Thurman for a few years now.  Sure, he’s far from being a perfect fighter.  However, I do think he’s a very well-rounded, well-schooled boxer with athletic gifts and dangerous, fight-ending power in both hands.  I’m not thrilled to see Thurman fighting Collazo, who was a champion a decade ago and lost a one-sided fight to Amir Khan in May of last year.  Collazo is a larger, but more shop-worn version of Robert Guerrero, whom Thurman beat by an easy decision earlier this year.  Thurman needs to stop fighting the second-tier, gatekeeper-level fighters.  In a perfect world, Thurman would be fighting Kell Brook or Amir Khan.  But, this is Boxing.  Let’s also remember that a decade ago, Collazo was basically in the same spot Thurman finds himself in now.  He was the WBA belt holder at welterweight and was viewed as a potential, big-time star.

Like a lot of talented fighters who never quite made it to the top, Collazo has been overlooked by matchmakers and he’s also come out on the wrong end of close decisions, especially against Ricky Hatton and Andre Berto.  Then again, against Shane Mosley and Amir Khan, Collazo simply looked like he did not belong at the elite level.  Bottom line is that Thurman won’t get much credit if he beats Collazo.  Collazo showed me something when he destroyed Victor Ortiz back in January 2014.  That version of Collazo can’t be overlooked.

Thurman needs to set a quick, physical pace against Collazo, while still remaining intelligent with his offense.  I expect him to either feint or jab his way inside of Collazo’s reach in quick order and then bang away at the older fighter’s body.  Collazo will have his moments early, but I fully expect him to be physically overmatched and beaten up by Thurman.  Thurman is the real deal.  Love the fact that he only really wants to fight the best.  Sky is the limit.  Just think about it: Marcos Maidana, Ruslan Provodnikov, Timothy Bradley, Terence Crawford, and as I stated earlier, Kell Brook and Amir Khan.  Maybe even one day, in the not so near distant future, Thurman gets the Holy Grail of fights against Floyd Mayweather.  Only time will tell!!!!  My Pick: Thurman wins by a 7th Round TKO.

Here are my picks for some other fights taking place this weekend: Tony Harrison (21-0, 18KOs) over Willie Nelson (23-2-1, 13KOs) by a 6th Round TKO.  Anthony Peterson (34-1, 22KOs) over Ramesis Gil (8-11-5, 5KOs) by a 4th Round TKO.  Mauricio Herrera (21-5, 7KOs) over Hank Lundy (25-4-1, 12KOs) by Split Decision.  Michael Perez (22-1-2, 10KOs) over Luis Sanchez (17-3-1, 5KOs) by Unanimous Decision.  Joseph Diaz (16-0, 10KOs) over Rene Alvarado (22-4, 15KOs) by Unanimous Decision.  Donnie Nietes (35-1-4, 21KOs) over Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (17-2-1, 11KOs) by a 10th Round TKO.  Ruslan Chagaev (33-2-1, 20KOs) over Francesco Pianeta (31-1, 17KOs) by Majority Decision.