Rafa needs to avoid Juanma's early power onslaught

[El Chicano]

If Rafa survives the first 5 rounds I see this an ugly fight for Juanma because he doesn't have the best conditioning, while Rafa has proven to be excellent conditioned for every fight. This a true test for Juanma if he beats Rafa he answers a lot of questions, if he knocks him out late then he shows he's the goods, if he lands a good shot early he won't answer any questions especially since Rafa is a fighter that likes to start out slow, and most of his knockout losses has happened before the 6th round. Can't wait for tommorow.

I agree, however I think the longer it goes, the better chance Rafa has to stop the Puerto Rican champ.

[Heru]

The only thing that concerns me is his age and wear and tear. Like I've said before if this was prime for prime this would be an absolute lock.

He is a bit slower and moving up a couple weights (less strength in comparison), but what most worries me is his counter punching isn't as sharp as before.

That said, I believe he carried his P4P level power up to 126, brought his jabs, and technique. If he avoids the right hook or can take it without it hurting him, he will destroy this kid. Hopefully Zaragoza told him to do what Mtagwa did nonstop and it was continuously walk to his left and make Lopez walk to his right. All he could do when Mtagwa did that was cuff him and knock him off balance.

Rafa doesn't reach in, so Lopez won't even be able to do that. Neutralize the right by walking to his right and it's a wrap if I see that.

[PR Boxer]

I agree, however I think the longer it goes, the better chance Rafa has to stop the Puerto Rican champ.

Exactly that why I said I would be surprised if Juanma lands a late KO, but I think that if it passes the 5th round Rafa takes over and if he doesn't KO Juanma at least the fights finishes in a SD, MD, or depending on how the early rounds are scored a UD in favor of the mexican. That's my honest opinion

[El Chicano]

Rafa KO7.

I don't see what so many people see with Lopez. Marquez is not that far gone, and he is just too sharp a puncher for Lopez.

We'll see, I don't like Rafa's tendency to get into firefights when hit, especially with Juanma's short right hook. The first 3-4 rounds will be will be nail-biters.

[Spray_resistant]

The reason Austin went into exchange mode is because Rafa was outboxing him. Neither him nor Johnson could consistently hit him clean. They found out that their success came when they became more aggressive and let their hands go.

The problem was that their aggressiveness played into Marquez hands. Master boxing southpaws the caliber of Johnson and Austin weren't effective boxing the man, so they felt the had to turn to aggressiveness the same will happen in this fight. All Marquez has to do is avoid getting hit by that straight left, right hook combination. Rafa will move into the next echelon with this fight and make a lot of people look and feel ******.

Austin was or should have been up on the cards at the time of the stoppage, if anything he was outboxing Rafa, thought he had him more hurt than he really was and got KTFO being overly aggressive pushing for a stoppage that wasn't there to be taken..

[El Chicano]

Austin was or should have been up on the cards at the time of the stoppage, if anything he was outboxing Rafa, thought he had him more hurt than he really was and got KTFO being overly aggressive pushing for a stoppage that wasn't there to be taken..

That 8th round was a bit of a thriller...

[Spray_resistant]

That 8th round was a bit of a thriller...

Hell of an 8th round, I always wondered why there was no rematch? It was a winnable fight for Tim but he got sloppy.

[Heru]

Austin was or should have been up on the cards at the time of the stoppage, if anything he was outboxing Rafa, thought he had him more hurt than he really was and got KTFO being overly aggressive pushing for a stoppage that wasn't there to be taken..

No, he shouldn't have. Marquez never let him take full control of the fight, they were basically at a stalemate, so it was even at best. Austin could barely get his offense going and it was because Marquez style, stance, and defense forced him to get more aggressive.

Austin (Johnson too) was a boxer that was used to being in full control of a fight. They know when they aren't and when they have to turn it up. These were veterans with over 50 rounds of championship experience and stellar amateurs to boot, they don't just get "overly aggressive" because they want, they do it because they feel it's necessary.

[Bastian Loc]

Austin was or should have been up on the cards at the time of the stoppage, if anything he was outboxing Rafa, thought he had him more hurt than he really was and got KTFO being overly aggressive pushing for a stoppage that wasn't there to be taken..

That's not true, Austin had some success in the first 3 rounds but then Rafa started figuring him out and all the inertia of the fight was on his side. Austin knew this and probably panicked.

Either way, Rafa was gonna k.o him or decision him.

[Spray_resistant]

No, he shouldn't have. Marquez never let him take full control of the fight, they were basically at a stalemate, so it was even at best. Austin could barely get his offense going and it was because Marquez style, stance, and defense forced him to get more aggressive.

Austin (Johnson too) was a boxer that was used to being in full control of a fight. They know when they aren't and when they have to turn it up. These were veterans with over 50 rounds of championship experience and stellar amateurs to boot, they don't just get "overly aggressive" because they want, they do it because they feel it's necessary.

Obviously it wasn't by the result of that ending but Austing was for sure ahead.