Matchroom: Teofimo Lopez vs George Kambosos Jnr Predictions & Results

Pintsized Background

After a full year out of the ring for both men, Lopez and Kambosos Jr can finally squash their beef on Saturday night. Promotional issues, COVID cases and general boxing BS has led to this match-up finally getting greenlit on the ninth asking. To be put it bluntly, nobody really cares about this defence. Kambosos isn’t a strong name in the division, nor is Lopez much more glamorous. Yet, here we are with a bumper Matchroom: Lopez vs Kambosos Jnr Predictions.

Shocking Vasyl Lomachenko and securing the belts will slot your name in the spotlights, but most fans are unwilling to trust Lopez as the division’s greatest just yet. Fresh blood in Devin Haney and Ryan Garcia are knocking on the door, while a rematch with the Ukrainian is necessary to silence Loma’s die-hard fanboys.

Prefer to read up on the other boxing action this weekend? No worries. Peep our preview of Matchroom: Andrade vs Quigley Predictions. Prefer a review of last weekend’s event to jog the memory, read MAFB: Andrade vs Quigley. Number crunching more your suit? Find all of Pintsized scores for your favourite fighters on MAFB Math: Andrade vs Quigley.

Unconvinced by Pintsized’s mystical predicting powers? Take a look at our prediction success last month detailed in Boxing Predictions Results: October 2021.

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Lopez vs Kambosos Jnr: Main Event

Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12KO) vs George Kambosos Jnr (19-0, 10KO)

Lightweight (135)

WBA Super World Lightweight Title

IBF World Lightweight Title

WBO World Lightweight Title

Teofimo Lopez

The skill gap between Lopez and Kambosos is clear when most of the pre-fight punditry revolves around whether the Aussie has gotten underneath the champion’s skin. It’s to be expected, however, when you consider Lopez’s dynamite power. Teofimo’s greatest quality so far has been his ability to adapt to the opponent. Lopez dug deep against Lomachenko, Masayoshi Nakatani and Diego Magdaleno, but was able to use his size to bully the likes of Mason Menard and Richard Commey. Unfortunately for Kambosos, he is more likely to fall into the latter category.

The young champ is unlikely to ever lose the upper hand in this affair. A deep gas tank allows Lopez to carry his power late, while Kambosos has never shown the sustained firepower to drag Lopez into an uncomfortable pace. Speed kills. Kambosos’ honest work on the outside, rarely adopting feints, will allow Lopez to time counters early. If Kambosos tries to walk down Lopez and smother him, the champ’s lead hook will fail to miss the mark.

With all being said, Lopez should have no issue maintaining his ideal range. Lomachenko, the master of footwork, struggled to close the distance to the power hitter. The Ukrainian frustrated Lopez in the second half of the fight when he dragged Lopez into a more gruelling, clinching affair – yet Kambosos tends to test himself on the edge of striking range. Against Lee Selby, an ultra-conservative outside boxer, Kambosos decided to out-volume the Welshman at his own game. While the Aussie received the nod on the night, it was a terrible gameplan that nearly bit him.

George Kambosos Jnr

It’s tough to back Kambosos to even meet the final bell, let alone leave MSG with the belts. After shocking Lee Selby back in October 2020, Kambosos has refused to give up his payday against Teofimo Lopez. There is no denying the Aussie’s intent to leave victorious, but sometimes the heart talks over the brain.

After forcing myself to re-watch the Selby/Kambosos tape (a dreadful fight that is used as a torture device in Guantanamo), there is very little to get excited over. Selby offered almost nothing in the form of offence, his stiffest shot being the occasional double jab. The Welshman’s constant lateral movement, however, left Kambosos chasing shadows. An unwillingness to rough up Selby and instead opting to test himself on the outside with the technician highlights his lack of ring generalship. No attempts to force a pace or range upon an underperforming Selby leaves a lot to be desired.

A major issue that will undo Kambosos against Lopez, is the Aussie’s tendency to commit to high-volume counters. On the front foot, Kambosos is decently efficient with his shot selection. When pressured onto the back-foot, however, Kambosos flaps with 3/4 punch combinations. Most commonly doubling up the lead hook, Kambosos chin will be cracked with a Lopez cannon through the centre. The Aussie is durable, but he will have to pull out durability never before seen in his career to last the full twelve.

Predicted Result: Lopez TKO Round 4

The young champ is unlikely to ever lose the upper hand in this affair. A deep gas tank allows Lopez to carry his power late, while Kambosos has never shown the sustained firepower to drag Lopez into an uncomfortable pace. Red flags also remain over the challenger’s game planning. The Aussie made no attempts to force a pace or shorten the range against an underperforming Selby, instead choosing to out-volume the slicker technician.

A major issue that will undo Kambosos against Lopez, is the Aussie’s tendency to commit to high-volume counters. When pressured onto the back-foot, Kambosos flaps with 3/4 punch combinations. Most commonly doubling up the lead hook, Kambosos chin will be cracked with a Lopez cannon through the centre. The Aussie is durable, but he will have to pull out durability never before seen in his career to last the full twelve.

Result: Kambosos Jr def. Lopez // Decision (split – 113-114, 115-112, 115-111)

Winner ❌ // Method ❌ // Round ❌

Return to Fight Card

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Lopez vs Kambosos Jnr: Co-Main Event

Azinga Fuzile (15-1, 9KO) vs Kenichi Ogawa (25-1-1, 18KO)

Super Featherweight (130)

vacant IBF World Super Featherweight Title

Azinga Fuzile

Young South African, Azinga Fuzile, rides into Saturday on the back of a career performance against Martin Ward. The Brit never quite reached the heights that were expected of his technical quality, but his scalp is still a worthy one for Fuzile’s record. The manner of the performance, however, was what proved exceptional. Adopting his usual wide back-foot heavy stance, Fuzile sacrificed the early rounds to make the necessary reads on Ward. While it would be foolhardy against a harder-hitting foe, it was the perfect style to pick apart Ward’s educated approach.

Importantly, out of the southpaw stance, Fuzile’s rear hook is a powerful weapon with lethal accuracy. While the South African could do with popping his stiff jab out with more regularity, he often just bides his time to arc the left hand onto overextended opponents. Granted, Ward was limited in mobility after an awkward clash of knees, but Fuzile’s power is undeniable.

Kenichi Ogawa

A long-time veteran of the Japanese scene, Kenichi Ogawa is best known for his split decision victory (turned no contest) over Tevin Farmer for the IBF Title a few years back. After popping for PEDs and stumbling past Joe Noynay on the road to redemption, Ogawa is back to try and grasp the same world title again – this time legitimately. The same tactics of standing at range remain, alongside the pitfalls of his style.

An honest boxer, Ogawa keeps himself at a mid-range and leaps in with short combinations. More often than not, Ogawa’s initial layer is a jab into the body straight, while the counter is a couple of hooks to the body. Ogawa’s tendency to repeat the same bursts will rapidly be read by Fuzile. The Japanese boxer’s unwillingness to commit beyond two layers will allow the South African to reset his feet and continually time counters. Ogawa has a cracking chin and could be able to question Fuzile’s heart deep into the fight. Most likely, however, both men’s limited volume and single layer styles will create a fairly disgusting affair to watch.

Predicted Result: Fuzile Decision

An honest boxer, Ogawa keeps himself at a mid-range and leaps in with short combinations. Ogawa’s tendency to repeat the same bursts will rapidly be read by Fuzile as he safely sits in his wide, back-foot heavy stance. The Japanese boxer’s unwillingness to commit beyond two layers will allow the South African to reset his feet and continually time counters.

Ogawa has a cracking chin and there remains the possibility of questioning Fuzile’s heart deep into the fight. Most likely, however, both men’s limited volume and single layer styles will create a fairly disgusting affair to watch.

Result: Ogawa def. Fuzile // Decision (unanimous – 114-111, 115-110, 115-110)

Winner ❌ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️

Return to Fight Card

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Lopez vs Kambosos Jnr: Rest of the Card

Raymond Ford (9-0-1, 5KO) vs Felix Caraballo (13-3-2, 9KO)

Featherweight (126)

WBA Continental Featherweight Title

Raymond Ford

Icing Reece Bellotti doesn’t come with much praise these days, but the speed of the finish was noteworthy. After hitting his first career speedbump against Aaron Perez, Ford picked himself up after the draw and let his hands go from the opening round. While Bellotti attempted to replicate Perez’s clinching roughhousing, Ford continually fired his jab to keep himself off the ropes. Ford’s exceptional athleticism shines in the occasional 50/50 trades he allows himself to engage in. In the time it took Bellotti to fire a hook out of his high guard, Ford had run off a three-punch combination and wheeled off to the side.

Felix Caraballo

Puerto Rican, Felix Caraballo, hasn’t found much luck since leaving his country of birth. Lined up to be squashed by rising star, Shakur Stevenson, Caraballo was then used as a fall guy to Robeisy Ramirez. Across the two losses, however, Caraballo exhibited a huge heart and willingness to press the action. Caraballo’s lack of ring-cutting expertise will leave him unable to punish Ford, but there are still a few tricks he can use to make it an uncomfortable night for the American. Ramirez, an Olympic double gold medallist, struggled to keep his foot outside Caraballo as the Puetro Rican quite literally stomped his dominance. With the same Southpaw-Orthodox challenge emerging, Caraballo could frustrate Ford into making mistakes.

Predicted Result: Ford Decision

Icing Reece Bellotti doesn’t come with much praise these days, but the speed of the finish was noteworthy. While Bellotti attempted to replicate Perez’s clinching roughhousing, Ford continually fired his jab to keep himself off the ropes before landing his flashy combinations.

Caraballo may be used as the fall guy to prospects in America, but the Puerto Rican has a huge heart and is well versed in the Southpaw-Orthodox match-up. Ramirez, an Olympic double gold medallist, struggled to keep his foot outside Caraballo as the Puetro Rican stomped his way to dominance. . Caraballo’s lack of ring-cutting expertise will leave him unable to punish Ford, however, and is somewhat relying on frustrating Ford into making the same mistakes he made against Aaron Perez.

Result: Ford def. Caraballo // TKO Round 8 2:10

Winner ✔️ // Method ❌ // Round ❌

Return to Fight Card

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Zhilei Zhang (22-0-1, 17KO) vs Craig Lewis (14-4-1, 8KO)

Heavyweight (200+)

Zhilei Zhang

Why? Why on Earth can we not just let Zhilei Zhang have his one big payday. The thirty-eight-year-old is already starting to show cracks against humble opposition, while the Chinese market has never quite exploded for Big Bang as promotors had hoped. That is unless you count a fight at the Changsha Social Work College as a crowning achievement. The problem with Zhang, sadly, is his gas tank doesn’t allow much wiggle room outside of the first three rounds. The Chinese contender doesn’t use his reach but instead walks opponents down and clubs with short shots. While there isn’t much volume, Zhang can time a counter surprisingly sharply for a Heavyweight and will rarely be bullied in the clinch. When Zhang is scheduled to fight Craig Lewis, and former opponent, Jerry Forrest, is set for Michael Hunter – the career trajectory becomes frustratingly apparent.

Craig Lewis

Craig Lewis is an exceptionally durable fighter but he will struggle to impose himself in this affair. Smartly notched as an eight-round fight, Lewis will be forced to sacrifice the early rounds and wait out the potency of Zhang’s power. Taking rounds from Junior Fa, Jermaine Franklin and Carlos Takam highlight Lewis’ ability to mix with Heavyweight contenders, but a two-year layoff raises red flags. Lewis’ low lead hand and surprisingly fluid upper body create angles that many Heavyweights have struggled to deal with. A willingness to rest on the ropes and an unprotected chin, however, means that a Zhang early finish is abundantly possible.

Predicted Result: Zhang TKO Round 2

The thirty-eight-year-old is already starting to show cracks against humble opposition, but styles make fights. Lewis’ low lead hand and surprisingly fluid upper body create angles that many Heavyweights have struggled to deal with. A willingness to rest on the ropes and an unprotected chin, however, means that Zhang’s early-round potency will come into play. Lewis is a durable man who could ride out the opening rounds, but Zhang is more than happy to wrap up his foe and try to claim the scorecards off early success.

Result: Zhang def. Lewis // TKO Round 2 2:10

Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️

Return to Fight Card

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Christina Cruz (1-0) vs Maryguenn Vellinga (3-1-2, 2KO)

Women’s Flyweight (112)

Christina Cruz

A thirty-eight-year-old prospect? After a lengthy amateur career, Cruz is on a fast track to a title shot. Holder of a record six New York Golden Gloves, Cruz was forced into the professional ranks after missing out on an American Olympic spot and COVID issues. Cruz hardly sparkled in her debut, though. A kind hometown decision saved face with a majority decision, but Cruz was far too economical throughout the four rounds. The American can pick a decent shot, but single-shot work on the outside without anything to show in the clinch is worrying when acknowledging her limited time in the pro ranks.

Maryguenn Vellinga

Somehow, a more ancient opponent than Cruz has been drafted in. In typical Women’s boxing fashion, three of Vellinga’s six fights were back-to-back scraps with Indeya Smith. The same Indeya Smith who should have at least been granted a draw against Christina Cruz. It was incredibly hard to source footage of Vellinga outside of a couple of indie documentaries.

Predicted Result: Cruz Decision

A kind hometown decision saved face with a majority decision, but Cruz was far too economical throughout the four rounds. The American can pick a decent shot, but single-shot work on the outside without anything to show in the clinch is worrying when acknowledging her limited time in the pro ranks. On a side note, three of Vellinga’s six fights were back-to-back scraps with Indeya Smith. The same Indeya Smith who should have at least been granted a draw against Christina Cruz.

Result: Cruz def. Vellinga // Decision (unanimous – 59-55, 60-54, 60-54)

Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️

Return to Fight Card

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Ramla Ali (3-0) vs Isela Vera (1-0)

Women’s Super Bantamweight (122)

Ramla Ali

Another elderly prospect, Ramla Ali has so far shown a far greater ceiling than Christina Cruz. Shutting out Mikayla Nebel last time out, Ali was too sharp in the clean boxing affair that Nebel was happy to concede. Greater willingness from Ali to bully opponents in the clinch, frequently pushing Nebel’s head down, is a positive sign of her transition to the pro’s.

Isela Vera

Isela Vera is an unknown entity. Once again, difficulty sourcing any fight footage has compounded with almost no anecdotal evidence either. Despite prowling social media like a crazed stalker, I was unable to pull up anything related to the fighter hailing from Long Beach, Cali.

Predicted Result: Ali Decision

Shutting out Mikayla Nebel last time out, Ali was too sharp in the clean boxing affair that Nebel was happy to concede. Greater willingness from Ali to bully opponents in the clinch, frequently pushing Nebel’s head down, is a positive sign of her transition to the pro’s.

Result: Ali def. Vera // Decision (unanimous – 40-36, 40-36, 40-36)

Winner ✔️ // Method ✔️ // Round ✔️

Return to Fight Card

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Prediction Accuracy

Matchroom: Lopez vs Kambosos Jr

Winner: 4/6

Method: 4/6

Round: 4/6

2021 Boxing Season

Winner: 98/120

Method: 69/120

Round: 48/120

Boxing Overall

Winner: 154/194

Method: 111/194

Round: 83/194

Takeaway comments: Take a bow, George Kambosos Jnr!

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