Comments Thread For: Chris Algieri?s School of Thought: Richardson Hitchins can emulate Devin Haney

[kiaba360]

I agree except for one thing...Puello stood in the pocket with Gary Antjuan Russell and Akhmedov, and boxed fairly evenly with Sandor Martin. I doubt the power of Matias will faze Puello or what will be the determining factor in the fight. Also, as we saw in the Paro fight, Matias can be outboxed. Puello is clearly the superior technician. Very good fight. I lean Puello by 8-4 UD.

The only way Matias wins is by KO; that much is obvious. If Team Puello is wise, he won't stay in the pocket too long. Matias is so easy to hit that fighters get greedy, and that's when he starts getting through and chipping away. Puello is also not a big puncher, so getting into too many exchanges is a fool's errand. I think the fight will come down to Puello's endurance and discipline. How he fought vs. the aforementioned opponents will get him in trouble vs. Matias.

One potential X factor: Matias won't be under IBF rehydration restriction.

[BlackRobb]

The only way Matias wins is by KO; that much is obvious. If Team Puello is wise, he won't stay in the pocket too long. Matias is so easy to hit that fighters get greedy, and that's when he starts getting through and chipping away. Puello is also not a big puncher, so getting into too many exchanges is a fool's errand. I think the fight will come down to Puello's endurance and discipline. How he fought vs. the aforementioned opponents will get him in trouble vs. Matias.

One potential X factor: Matias won't be under IBF rehydration restriction.

Interesting points. Maybe that is why Matias went the WBC route. Do you get the impression that these 140 lb. guys are a bit apprehensive about moving up to 147?

I don't think Matias hits harder than Russell or Akhmedov. I like Puello in this fight. He doesn't seem afraid to mix with anyone at 140, though I thought he got a slight gift against Sandor Martin.

[kiaba360]

Interesting points. Maybe that is why Matias went the WBC route. Do you get the impression that these 140 lb. guys are a bit apprehensive about moving up to 147?

I don't think Matias hits harder than Russell or Akhmedov. I like Puello in this fight. He doesn't seem afraid to mix with anyone at 140, though I thought he got a slight gift against Sandor Martin.

Russell is more athletic/explosive, while Matias is a grinder. His punches seem to "stick" to his opponent. Matias is one-dimensional, and that one dimension leads to suffering for himself and the opponent. That's why I like watching Matias: his fights feel like an existential struggle rather than a boxing match. Puello will be wise to keep it a boxing match for as long as possible: stick-and-move with the occasional flurry, clinch and spoil a bit, rinse and repeat. You box the brawler and fight the boxer. Puello has to understand what he's walking into: Matias is not Russell or Akhmedov.


I think the top 140lb guys like Taylor and Ramirez stayed too long. Prograis doesn't have the dimensions for 147, so I understand why he stayed.

[BlackRobb]

Russell is more athletic/explosive, while Matias is a grinder. His punches seem to "stick" to his opponent. Matias is one-dimensional, and that one dimension leads to suffering for himself and the opponent. That's why I like watching Matias: his fights feel like an existential struggle rather than a boxing match. Puello will be wise to keep it a boxing match for as long as possible: stick-and-move with the occasional flurry, clinch and spoil a bit, rinse and repeat. You box the brawler and fight the boxer. Puello has to understand what he's walking into: Matias is not Russell or Akhmedov.


I think the top 140lb guys like Taylor and Ramirez stayed too long. Prograis doesn't have the dimensions for 147, so I understand why he stayed.

Puello is a very seasoned vet who's undefeated for a reason. He took this fight for a reason. He hasn't ducked smoke.

I never thought Taylor, Prograis or Ramirez were elite. All three had obvious limitations, but certain fans and pundits insisted on overvaluing them.