Garcia vs. Peterson/Quillin vs. Lee: Will either underdog upset the PBC apple-cart?

By Chris Carlson - 04/10/2015 - Comments

The PBC on NBC returns in primetime with a solid doubleheader to whet the appetites of us hardcore fans. The main event between Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson is stylistically matched very well and should keep a channel-surfing mainstream-sports fan occupied. The co-feature matches power with power in the form of Peter Quillin versus Andy Lee with Lee’s middleweight belt at stake. Will either underdog knock-off one of the favorites and give the Premier Boxing Champions the surprise it’s been lacking?

The debut of the PBC on NBC was a smash-hit in the ratings department back on March 7th. Unfortunately the only real entertainment on that night was the second-half of an otherwise one-sided fight between Keith Thurman and Robert Guerrero. This card on Saturday night in Brooklyn, New York, live from the Barclays Center should be a lot more compelling.

The main event matches heavy-handed Danny Garcia against a quality opponent in Lamont Peterson. Both men took plenty of well-deserved heat from the media and fans alike for their involvement in the horrific card last August 9th on Showtime. The date will forever live in infamy amongst hardcore boxing fans as the showcase of all showcase mismatches. This fight will be fought at catchweight meaning neither man’s title will be on the line.

That alone has caused quite a commotion to the point of the bout being labeled as a joke in some circles of the industry. Without the belts fans voiced their complaints claiming the fight no longer has meaning.

Lamont Peterson is still trying to rid the nightmares of Lucas Matthysse and a testosterone pill injected in to his hip causing the rematch with Amir Khan to be cancelled. Peterson picked up the pieces in an attempt to revitalize his career with a win over Dierry Jean and now the long-awaited, not-so-anticipated matchup with Garcia has arrived.

Before 2014 Danny Garcia was on an absolute rampage as the 140-pound kingpin. He filled-in nicely for Peterson, by knocking out Amir Khan in 2012, highlighting his career with a defining win over Lucas Matthysee on the Mayweather/Canelo PPV undercard. The debacle in Puerto Rico would set his career back as Garcia became a punching bag for fans across the world. Many observers thought Danny got beat by the underrated and disrespected Mauricio Herrera. To make matters worse his fight with Rod Salka on August 9th added kerosene to a fire that was already a blaze. Angel Garcia had already contributed to his son being seen as a heel, Salka made him an easy target in the media and hardcore #boxingheads.

No doubt about it there is some mud that we have to slop through in order to see what a fun fight this could be. No matter what your opinion on this fight is, what’s not debatable is the action that will ensue once the bell goes ding. Both fighters have a solid amateur pedigree but neither guy fights with an Olympic-style. Their skills are more compatible to the pro game and on the inside is where each man shines. Both boxers love to throw left hooks to the body and head. Body punching will be a key as these fighters dig heavy shots to the liver section (or there a bouts).

If we’re talking hand speed that favors Lamont Peterson, if we’re talking power, advantage Danny Garcia. Both men have shared the ring with top-tier guys so the moment shouldn’t be too big for either to wrap their heads around and remain focused. Another trait these two have in common is their habit of starting slow which brings us to the early goings of this battle in Brooklyn. Once both men warm up expect Lamont to take an early lead in this bout. Peterson’s hand speed, subtle movement, and jab should give him an early cushion.

Danny Garcia does get hit a lot and Peterson seems to have the tighter guard on the inside. However, Danny’s skill level is a very underrated and his timing along with combination power punching sets him apart from many other elite’s. Let’s call it maybe the 5th round, that’s when Garcia will begin to land the heavier shots.

Whatever lead Peterson had built, will have crumbled once Garcia gets Peterson’s timing down. At times I see this matchup in reverse-result of Garcia’s fight with Zab Judah. It took until the last 3-4 rounds for Zab to land punches with some meat them. Instead Lamont will strike in the first part enough to possible cause damage to the eye of Garcia.

If Lamont decides to get carried away on inside, it could be a much shorter night and possible similar to his third round TKO loss to Lucas “The Machine” Matthysse. Peterson will need to use distance to keep him in favorable position. Simple lateral movement behind a jab and closing the gap to contain the power of Garcia will be very important. Lamont doesn’t have to fight a perfect fight but he does have to put together his best performance to pull this one off. The fast-paced, two-way action will become more one-sided as the bout rolls on. Then it’s just a matter of time until Danny Garcia lands a game-changer.

My official prediction is Danny Garcia by late stoppage or unanimous decision.

The co-main event may not feature a break-neck pace as the top of this card will, but the quality of landed punches should keep fans on the edge of their seat. Both men have real-deal power in both hands which increases the odds of seeing one or both fighters hitting the canvas. Assuming this fight will take awhile to heat up by the middle rounds we should get plenty of drama. Each man took different paths to secure this coveted spot on terrestrial television.

Andy Lee had to revenge a controversial stoppage from his first meeting with Brian Vera. Lee once again was technically stopped in the 7th round, this time by the hands of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in the summer of 2012. Lee built himself back up over a four-fight span, which lead him to last year’s comeback win in spectacular fashion by counter-right hand KO of John Jackson. Last December, Lee found himself down on the scorecards against unbeaten Matt Korobov and once again he knocked his man out to win his first ever world title belt.

The same championship belt that used to belong to Peter Quillin’s until a death in the family momentarily sidetracked his budding career. Quillin took a barrage of hate on the chin when fans found out that he had turned down over 1.4 million dollars in a winnable fight versus Matt Korobov. Rumor has it he received 500,000 dollars from Al Haymon to lessen his losses financially. It will be just a week short of a full year since “Kid Chocolate” has stepped in the ring and for a boxer that relies on timing and counter punching the effect could be there for the whole world to see in the first few frames. Once Quillin shakes off the possible cobwebs and Andy Lee finds his groove we should be in for one hell of a tilt.

Andy Lee’s main goal is to land his jab to set up powerful hooks and crosses. As we saw in the Jackson fight even under pressure, Lee composes himself nicely and shouldn’t be bothered being down on the scorecards. By now from his comeback victories over Jackson, Korobov, and Craig McEwan Lee has what it takes to turn the PBC apple-card on its head by becoming the first upset this year for the PBC.

Peter is a quality counterpuncher, who’s favorite punches are the left hook and an uppercut in close or more dangerously at range. His straight right hand can be deadly but stance and footwork is his Achilles heel. Side Note: Both fighters stance can at times be way too wide and may account for an off-balanced flash-knockdown that would be crucial in a tight fight. Quillin’s defense is just so-so and a bad habit of walking himself into the ropes will get him into serious problems versus Lee. Also, Peter doesn’t move his head enough and his guard is too-wide apart leaving holes for the power punching Lee. (Vice of verse guard-wise for Andy Lee)
All and all this should be an entertaining scrap filled with exchanges and one, if not both men getting at the very least buzzed, and maybe seriously hurt or stopped. (By seriously hurt I don’t mean permanently) It won’t feature the activity of the main event but it should more than make up for that in punches that really count.

Rosado and N’Dam were able to cut the ring-off on Quillin but neither had the power and overall skill of Andy Lee. To all my fellow (legal) betting degenerates out there with a certain feeling about Andy Lee put your money were you mind is. As previously mentioned look for both men to get hurt or knocked down before it has a chance to reach the 12th round. This scribe is going with the favorite but it will be a bumpy ride in Brooklyn.
My official prediction is Peter Quillin by unanimous decision.

P.S. To all the hardcore fans out there be sure to watch the Orlando Salido vs. Rocky Martinez fight at some point. Pound for pound this may be the best fight of the weekend (maybe of the year so far)! My pick by the way is Orlando Salido by late stoppage.

Written by Chris Carlson Owner and Host of Rope A Dope Radio blogtalkradio.com/ropeadoperaido

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