Jake Paul has stolen the limelight in the build-up to Amanda Serrano‘s unified world title defence against Nina Meinke this Saturday at the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The YouTuber turned boxer aims to earn his ninth professional win on Serrano’s undercard, facing experienced cruiserweight Ryan Bourland in an eight-round affair.
Although The Problem Child has dominated media coverage, his fight fails to hold a candle to the headliner which features a future featherweight hall-of-famer defending the IBF, WBA, and WBO (and IBO…) belts in her native country. A convincing win for Serrano this Friday will push an inevitable rematch against Irish GOAT, Katie Taylor, in a blockbuster female fight.
Most overlooked of all, however, is the WBO world light flyweight scrap between Jonathan Gonzales and Rene Santiago. The short kings are often disregarded by fight fans, but Gonzalez has proven himself willing to defend his title on the road – last beating Shokichi Iwata over twelve rounds in Saitama, Japan.
Amanda Serrano vs Nina Meinke
Amanda Serrano had already cemented herself as one of the best all-time female boxers before she decided to move up in weight class to challenge Katie Taylor for her unified lightweight belts. The Puerta Rican enjoyed her fair share of success in a close-knit affair yet was ultimately out-worked by her larger opponent – not that there is any shame in dropping a decision loss to Taylor. Their blockbuster main event at Madison Square Garden, New York in 2022 was a seminal moment for women’s boxing, generating media attention beyond the male bouts on the card.
Since then, Serrano has returned to featherweight and defended her titles with ease. Victory on Friday night would mark her fifth straight win from her MSG venture, opening the potential for a rematch against her Irish adversary. The twist, of course, would be an extra two rounds (in addition to the rounds being three minutes each) – with world boxing overcoming archaic stereotypes to allow female fighters to contest over championship rounds. For Serrano, a polished technician, more time will provide her greater scope to trap opponents. As seen in her last fight against Danila Ramos, Serrano was free to settle behind her jab early rather than rush her work, eventually extending her combinations down the stretch.
None of this will transpire if Nina Meinke can spring one of the sport’s most unlikely underdog victories in hostile territory. The 30-year-old has largely been written off before entering the ring, in part due to her total capitulation to Katie Taylor back in 2017. It was a brutal loss as Meinke looked out-gunned and out-thought from the opening bell. While Meinke has since shown more wrinkles to her game, justly earning a crack at Serrano’s titles by besting a litany of contenders, it is worth noting that she remains a home track bully. Both times Meinke has stepped up (Taylor in the UK, Sarah Mahfoud in Denmark), she has been swept aside. That unfortunate trend is likely to continue on Friday night.
Serrano vs Meinke Prediction: Serrano TKO Round 9
Jake Paul vs Ryan Bourland
Jake Paul deserves his flowers for sticking with professional boxing. Much of the allure of Paul’s career was based around his undefeated record, of which he was stripped in muted fashion last February against Tommy Fury in Diriyah, Saudia Arabia. Even a follow-up crossover fight against MMA badboy, Nate Diaz, failed to raise much noise beyond the casual combat circle. With social media revenues funding his passion, however, Paul can continue to cherry-pick opponents before striking gold with a match-up against another influencer.
There is a lot to like about the 27-year-old’s game against specific opponents. When Paul is allowed to set the pace, he is an astute front-foot boxer with a solid jab. It is a weapon that instils confidence in him over the course of a fight and allows him to build towards the flashy overhand right that dominates his highlight reel. There are still issues with how Paul has adapted in the clinch since the Fury fight, but his natural power in undeniable – he damn near sent opponent Andre August into September with the KO uppercut.
While Paul fans will point towards Ryan Bourland 17-2 record as a sign of progressive matchmaking, I am afraid to say it is largely a paper tiger. The North Dakotan enjoyed a solid small-hall career throughout 2013-2018, edging decisions through brute force rather than any exceptional technical qualities. Since 2018, however, Bourland has fought just once – a stoppage win over journeyman Santario Martin in September 2022. For a boxer who amounts to nothing more than a pocket slugger, he is a tailor made opponent for Paul’s jab – especially now that the 35-year-old oil worker has declined physically.
Paul vs Bourland Prediction: Paul TKO Round 4
Jonathan Gonzalez vs Rene Santiago
An all-Puerto Rican affair is sure to set the Coliseo Jose Miguel Agrelot into raptures as Jonathan Gonzalez defends his WBO world light flyweight title against compatriot Rene Santiago. Gonzalez is a classy counter puncher, opting to move along the ropes and force opponents to commit to exchanges. The southpaw tends to use his jab as a bait, instead utilising a lead hook to land damage – often transitioning to a check hook when backed into a corner. Interim WBO champion, Rene Santiago, is a far more aggressive boxer that is willing to plant his feet. While Santiago’s power and work to the body could slow Gonzalez’s movement, I expect the latter’s style to frustrate Santiago and force mistakes.
Gonzalez vs Santiago Prediction: Gonzalez Decision
Rest of the Card
Christopher Diaz vs Headley Scott Prediction: Diaz Decision
Pedro Marquez Medina vs Brandon Valdes Prediction: Medina Decision
Elijah Flores vs Alejandro Munera Prediction: Flores Decision
Krystal Rosado-Ortiz vs Gloria Munguilla Prediction: Rosado-Ortiz Decision
Javon Walton vs Joshua Torres Prediction: Walton TKO Round 2
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