Abdullah Mason vs Sam Noakes - Noakes is a decent fighter he does a lot well. Smart, educated pressure its not often I say that. Applies good pressure, cuts the ring off well & works well behind his jab. I think he does just about everything well, a good well schooled fighter but I feel his hands and feet are slow to the point I expect that'll be his undoing here. Mason is too athletic, too fast and reactive, too sharp. Mason, late stoppage i'll say.
If Noakes had a little more speed I think I'd be quite torn.
Bam vs Puma - Be fun while it lasts & it'll be interesting to see Bam vs someone so aggressive and mean but I really don't feel that is a good idea, simple as that really. its something different, maybe he can expose something but I feel it will play into Bams strengths. Bam stoppage
Devin Haney vs Brian Norman Jr - Brian Norman Jr is improving & I'm a fan and been chirping on he's underrated but suddenly overnight almost he's got very overrated imo
I think he's decent, hits hard but stylistically the fight favours Devin. Norman Jr has been on that TR diet of static fighters and brawlers he looks good when guys go to him but when fighters show him some movement and a little savvy he's not nearly as effective. I don't think he has looked very good on the front foot against much lesser fighters. I know Norman Jr is favourite but I don't see it and too much has been put into the Garcia fight. Even Linares, Loma, the guys who have troubled Devin all had serious hand speed and footspeed, something Norman Jr lacks.
Devin decision but I do think unless the weights really served him well he does have to stink it up. You don't want to be trading with Norman Jr & staying in the pocket too long.
Keep it long, keep it simple.
Benavidez vs Yarde - I feel Beterbiev took something from him and he's never really improved for me. I am not convinced Yarde is world class or convinced there aren't 2-3-4 guys in Britain alone that couldn't beat him. Power is wildly overrated (not to say he can't punch a bit) thanks to a high K.O ratio vs extremely soft opposition to put it mildly. He just is not in Benavidez class or even close.
He gets stopped. I'll say somewhere between 6-8 at a guess and purely because he is quite gritty and I think Benavidez might give him a little too much respect early just cause he can punch a bit but I wouldn't be surprised if he goes before. For me this ones a bit of a mismatch.
I like Mason by stoppage, I think he’s probably a level above Noakes. Noakes a solid fighter but Mason has a look of a kid who’s got a few higher gears.
Bam by close decision in what I think will be a tough competitive fight. This is Bam’s toughest fight at 115 IMO. Puma may not have the name value of Estrada or SSR but he’s in his prime and on a very good run.
Haney by decision, I don’t particularly rate Haney and was one of the few guys who picked Garcia to beat him, but I agree with the OP that Norman has suddenly become very overrated. Haney’s best attribute is his feet and I’m not convinced Norman will be able to cut the ring off and close the gap.
Benavidez by late stoppage. I think this will be a real fire fight for 6 rounds, but Yarde will gas and will be beaten into submission. I see no way he stands up to Benavidez’s activity and output.
the fact Turki just invested 36?+ million into Haney leads me to believe he will fiddle his way to a dodgy decision, Norman needs a KO to win.
I see Mason and Benevidez both stopping Noakes and Yarde with relative ease tbh.
Norman Jr really does need a knockout then.
I honestly wouldn't be mad if he did either I do like him, he's been refreshing during the build up, very likeable.
the fact Turki just invested 36?+ million into Haney leads me to believe he will fiddle his way to a dodgy decision, Norman needs a KO to win.
I see Mason and Benevidez both stopping Noakes and Yarde with relative ease tbh.