Jake Paul and Tommy Fury were due to settle their differences this Saturday night at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, but Fury withdrew on a couple of weeks notice due to broken ribs. In steps former UFC world champion Tyron Woodley, in a rematch of their August meeting, that now headlines this card.
Paul (4-0, 3 KOs) won that cruiserweight contest via split decision, and looked fortunate to not be counted when tottering into the ropes in round four after being rocked by Woodley and Saturday’s rematch will be contested over eight rounds at a catchweight of 192lbs, live on SHOWTIME PPV in the USA and on FITE TV PPV in the UK.
‘The Problem Child’ is of course a YouTuber-turned boxer, and it remains to be seen what ambition the 24-year-old really has in the sport, having previously beaten fellow YouTuber, AnEsonGib on debut, former NBA player, Nate Robinson and former UFC fighter, Ben Askren prior to beating Woodley.
Woodley (0-1) is a former UFC welterweight champion, but at 39-years-old, it seems ‘The Chosen One’ is after the jackpot that beating Paul will bring.
Prediction: I think Paul will get the nod again on the cards.
Serrano clashes with Gutierrez
Amanda Serrano (41-1-1, KO30) is gearing towards a showdown with undisputed lightweight queen, Katie Taylor and fights at the weight after a spell as a three belt holder at featherweight, taking on Miriam Gutierrez (14-1, KO5) over ten rounds.
Serrano has held nine major world titles across seven different weights, and a win over Taylor would surely cement her legacy amongst the greats.
First though, the Puerto Rican must overcome Gutierrez, who was routed by Taylor last November, floored in the fourth before losing heavily on the cards.
Prediction: Serrano can repeat the trick here in a wide points win.
💭 @TheGarden 🤩@KatieTaylor @EddieHearn pic.twitter.com/aVGe2ZwmIE
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) December 12, 2021
Paro faces Alamo
Australian super lightweight contender, Liam Paro makes his US debut, and he goes in with Puerto Rico’s Yomar Alamo over a scheduled ten.
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Paro (21-0, 13 KOs) has been the ten round distance four times, and holds the IBF International and WBO Global belts, while Alamo (20-0-1, 12 KOs) is the WBO Latino champion, and has been ten rounds on no less than six occasions.
Prediction: I can’t see this ending early, and Paro can prevail on the scorecards.
Love makes return
J’Leon Love returns to the ring after almost three years away, and he jumps from super middleweight to now campaign as a cruiserweight, facing Marcus Oliveira over eight rounds here.
Oh how I’ve missed this. pic.twitter.com/cLoBx9MfxV
— J’Leon Love (@JLeonLove) December 14, 2021
Love (24-3-1, 13 KOs) was touted as a contender, but he lost his way after back to back defeats to Peter Quillin and David Benavidez. 42-year-old Oliveira (28-5-1, 22 KOs) is on a two-fight winning streak after losing four in a row, and has never been stopped.
Prediction: The pick is for Love to take a points victory.
Remaining Undercard
Four rounders make up the rest of the card. At light heavyweight, Anthony Taylor (2-2, 1 KO) is on a two-fight winning run after losing to Tommy Fury, and he can outscore Chris Avila (0-1).
At welterweight, Jeovanny Estela (5-0, 2 KOs) can deal with Chris Rollins (5-2-1, 4 KOs) inside the distance, while at heavyweight, former NBA player, Deron Williams and NFL running back, Frank Gore square off for their professional debuts.
