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Richard ‘The Boxing Prophet’ Solomon’s Picks Of the Week (8/2/15)

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.

Danny Garcia (30-0, 17KOs) vs. Paulie Malignaggi (33-6, 7KOs)

Garcia was stripped of his WBC junior welterweight championship last month.  He finally takes the plunge Saturday night when he faces Malignaggi as a full-fledged welterweight.  The fight will take place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.  You can watch it live on ESPN as part of Al Haymon’s PBC.  It’s really no surprise to see the Philly native making the jump to welterweight after months of speculation.  He has not fought at 140 pounds since taking a “Gift” decision over Mauricio Herrera in March 2014.  This was the last time Garcia defended his title.  Let the record show that I had Herrera winning 116-112.  It was another huge black eye for the sport of Boxing.  To make matters worse, Garcia got another controversial decision win, this time against Lamont Peterson earlier this year.  I scored that fight 115-113 in favor of Peterson.

Malignaggi is a Brooklyn native, who has held a share of the welterweight title on two different occasions.  He’s a wily veteran, but has not fought since getting destroyed in scary fashion by Shawn Porter in April of 2014.  He was originally scheduled for, I guess you can call it a tune-up bout against Danny O’Connor in May, but the fight was scrapped when Malignaggi suffered a nasty gash above his left eye in training just a couple of weeks before the fight.  Some Boxing fans are livid that Garcia-Malignaggi is even taking place.  They see it as just the latest example of soft or strategic matchmaking by who else but Al Haymon, on his quest to build stars by protecting them against dangerous fighters.  Not sure If I really see it that way.  After all, Garcia has never fought at the full welterweight limit before and Malignaggi is a slick boxer with a style that has given Garcia serious trouble in the past.  The Million dollar question for me heading into Saturday night is: How much gas does Malignaggi have left in the tank?

Don’t want people to think I am “Hating” on Garcia.  Heck, it was only three years ago when he emerged as a star by beating Erik Morales twice and stunning the world by knocking out Amir Khan in Round 4 to become the lineal and unified champion at 140 pounds.  He also defeated both Zab Judah and Lucas Matthysse in convincing fashion.  But, then came the Herrera and Peterson debacles.  But it all came crashing down when in August 2014, Garcia fought unranked lightweight Rod Salka in a matchup that was no doubt a personal insult to every single fan who loves the “Sweet Science”.  Honestly, I was very close to cancelling my subscription to Showtime on Cable TV.  Danny Garcia, in the worst way, needs to not only win but make a loud statement against Malignaggi.

As I stated earlier, Malignaggi is a crafty and experienced former champion.  However, he has no power in either hand.  Paulie might be able to out-hustle and out-think Garcia in spots and make the fight a difficult one for him, but it’s very hard to imagine Malignaggi earning the respect of Garcia and truly hurting him.  At no point in the fight will I see Garcia in a truly perilous position.  Malignaggi is nearing the end of a pretty nice Boxing career and has already launched a very successful transition into the broadcast booth.  I fully expect him to make a gutsy last stand against Garcia.

Ultimately, this fight will share some similarities with Malignaggi’s close decision loss to Adrien Broner.  However, the fight won’ be as competitive.  Yes, Malignaggi will win some rounds by using his jab and movement.  The fight should be entertaining and there will be some high drama.  However, Garcia’s heavier punches will make the difference in too many rounds.  He will wear down the older Malignaggi by going to the body.  No doubt about it, I am rooting for Malignaggi to pull off the upset win.  After all, I grew up in Brooklyn.  Canarsie, to be exact.  But the more I study the fight, the more I realize, I just want Malignaggi to either go out on his shield or last the full 12 Rounds.  So many big fights are just waiting for Garcia.  Shawn Porter, Keith Thurman and Marcos Maidana, just to name a few.  Malignaggi will announce his retirement after the fight.  I still say: Brooklyn Forever!!!!  My Pick: Garcia wins by a 9th Round TKO.

Here are my picks for some other fights taking place this weekend: Daniel Jacobs (29-1, 26KOs) over Sergio Mora (28-3-2, 9KOs) by a 10th Round TKO.  Prichard Colon (14-0, 11KOs) over Michael Finney (12-3-1, 10KOs) by Unanimous Decision.  Heather Hardy (13-0, 2KOs) over Renata Domsodi (12-6, 5KOs) by Unanimous Decision.  Daniel Sandoval (37-3, 34KOs) over Ivan Montero (17-0, 7KOs) by an 8th Round TKO.  Yudel Johnson (17-1, 9KOs) over Jorge Cota (24-1, 22KOs) by Split Decision.  Luke Campbell (11-0, 9KOs) over Tommy Coyle (21-2, 10KOs) by a 6th Round TKO.  Brian Rose (26-3-1, 8KOs) over Carson Jones (37-10-3, 27KOs) by a 4th Round TKO.  Ricky Burns (37-4-1, 11KOs) over Prince Ofotsu (15-4, 11KOs) by a 5th Round TKO.  Joseph Parker (14-0, 12KOs) over Bowie Tupou (25-3, 17KOs) by a 7th Round TKO.  Jeff Horn (10-0-1, 8KOs) over Viktor Plotnykov (32-2, 15KOs) by Split Decision.  Jhonny Gonzalez (57-9, 48KOs) over Kazuki Hashimoto (11-4, 7KOs) by a 4th Round TKO.  Juan Carlos Payano (16-0, 8KOs) over Rau’shee Warren (13-0, 4KOs) by Majority Decision.  John Jackson (19-2, 15KOs) over Dennis Laurente (49-5, 30KOs) by a 3rd Round TKO.       

If you have any questions for Richard “The Boxing Prophet” Solomon, email him at [email protected]. You can also follow him on Twitter @boxingprophet68 or contact him on Facebook Richard Solomon

                 

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