We are nearing the end of the World Boxing Super Series quarterfinals, and this Saturday we see fights in the Super Lightweight (140 lbs.) and Bantamweight (118 lbs.) tournaments. The fights are live from Glasgow, and will stream live on DAZN (as well as a live stream on Youtube for UK viewers) this Saturday, November 3, with a fight time of 3:00 p.m. ET. Here is a preview of Saturday’s action.
Ryan Burnett (19-0; 9 KOs) vs. Nonito Donaire (38-5; 24 KOs) – Bantamweight Quarterfinal
The Bantamweight tournament may end up being a complete runaway for Naoya Inoue, but this is an interesting fight that could potentially serve up a very good challenger to Inoue in the form of #3 ranked Ryan Burnett. Burnett, like Inoue, holds a version of the WBA title (because boxing) and is an undefeated fighter still relatively early in his pro career. His career got off to a pretty typical start in terms of opposition, but he’s been facing tougher foes as of late, including a big win over Lee Haskins last year. Here, he faces arguably the biggest “name” opponent he has yet faced – former fighter of the year Nonito Donaire. Donaire is a multiple division champion who an amazing 2012, then promptly fell off the tracks, starting with a much maligned loss to Guillermo Rigondeaux. He has not been all that relevant since, with his wins coming against lower tier opposition. Donaire comes in here off a loss to Carl Frampton in April. If this was the 2012 Donaire, he would take this – but in 2018, it’s less likely. Also of note: Donaire has been fighting up in weight, and this is actually his first Bantamweight fight since 2011. That does not fill me with confidence, and could lead to a depleted Donaire getting mauled.
Prediction: Ryan Burnett, KO
Josh Taylor (13-0; 11 KOs) vs. Ryan Martin (22-0; 12 KOs) – Super Lightweight Quarterfinal
The winner here will take on Ivan Baranchyk, fresh off his destruction of poor Anthony Yigit’s eye. Taylor is ranked #2 in the division, only behind tournament favorite Regis Prograis. He was a good amateur who turned pro in 2015. That #2 ranking comes largely as a result of his last fight – a dominating decision win over the excellent Viktor Postol in June. Postol only has two losses to his name: Taylor, and Terence Crawford, which is not bad company to be in. Martin is more experienced in terms of quantity of fights, but not quality – there’s no one close to Postol on his resume. His last win came over Breidis Prescott, best known as a former Crawford opponent, who brought a 1-4 streak into his fight with Martin. Martin is a skilled amateur and has had some good hype at times, and this is his opportunity to show that hype is deserved. This will be his first time scheduled to go 12.
Prediction: Josh Taylor, UD