angel ayala lardizabal v masamichi yabuki march twenty nineth

[The Six Four]

Angel Ayala vs. Masamichi Yabuki is a high-stakes matchup with major divisional implications. Ayala has fast hands, nice sharp combinations, and strong bodywork, but his tendency to keep his hands low after throwing could be a vulnerability. Yabuki's a proven puncher with championship experience at 108 lbs. He'll look to control the distance and set up his dangerous overhand right. This marks Ayala’s first fight outside of Mexico, and with the IBF’s strict second-day weigh-in, fighting in Japan could present additional challenges. Ayala can make this competitive if he boxes smart, but his defense leaves him open to Yabuki’s power. If he fights aggressively, I see him getting stopped early. My prediction—Yabuki breaks him down and scores a late-round knockout.

[TIC]

[Master]

That was a bloody and bruising affair. Both boxers face's were damaged by those cuts. Both fighters showed lots of heart and guts. Damn hard sport to be competing in. That was a brutal last round.

[The Six Four]

That was a brutal war. Yabuki's win puts him right back in the mix for a trilogy with Kenshiro Teraji, who hasn’t looked as sharp lately but continues delivering incredible fights. That cut will keep Yabuki out for a while—give me Teraji vs. Olascuaga II for unification in the meantime. Also, how good is Junto Nakatani to have beaten both Seigo Yuri Akui and Masamichi Yabuki when they were all prospects coming up?