Guy Robb – Sacramento stalwart began boxing late at age 17 in comparison to most elite boxers emanating from California. Only competed in 25 amateur bouts over three years but showed natural aptitude winning the 2008 Ringside Championship and at one point was rated number four, nationally. Lost momentum when he sat out one year because of an eye injury, turning pro after the birth of a child and his cornea healed. Is making up for lost time, fighting six times in 2011, and has not been afraid to test himself taking fights on short notice previous to this. One televised bout on Telemundo showed an aggressive but mostly ineffectual slugger. Against Hugo Ramos, (3-10-2), Robb lacked body punching early and overall accuracy favoring long or looping punches. Often followed a backpedaling Ramos instead of cutting off the ring, though Robb’s strength and pressure was rewarded with a fifth round stoppage by wearing down Ramos. Fight reports of Robb center on his turning fights with inferior opponents into brawls, calling into question the 22-year-old listening to his corner or his ability to use his feet to make fights easier. Robb confirmed as much in an interview with writer Mario Ortega on his approach to fights. “I always have the same objective and that is just to tear him up.” Defeated 135-pound Pablo Armenta for best win, showing determination, solid chin and ability to sidestep rough-edged Armenta’s crude attacks. Robb favors a straight right hand, using good upper body strength to block punches with high forearm guard. In general, keeps hands high but fluidity seems affected as he seldom throws more than two punches in sequence unless along the ropes. Reportedly a gym rat and a high volume of punches past the fourth round confirms this. Is an average 5’6” tall but has a good 70-inch reach and does not fight against his body type, looking to come forward, stay connected and wear on opponents. Reportedly scouted by both Golden Boy and Gary Shaw Promotions and has Ray Woods (stepfather and original trainer of ill-fated champion Diego Corrales) directing strategy in his corner. Robb says he patterns himself after boxing hero Roberto Duran but needs a ton more versatility to live up to those ambitions.
Joel Diaz Jr. – Exciting prospect started boxing age eight, registering an 85-10 mark in the tough California amateur circuit, winning regional titles and advancing to the National PAL tourney four consecutive years. Won a silver medal at the American Junior Olympics but was ousted in the trial stages for the American 2012 Olympic team. Comes from a fighting family; his father and grandfather boxed and his dad remains in Diaz’s corner as assistant to veteran trainer Hector Vallardes. Despite kayo ratio, stopping five of six opponents, the 19-year-old Diaz is still maturing physically, generating stoppages with aggression and speed more than power. Like many youngsters, takes chances, such as leading with left hook, which quality reflexes and impressive instincts allow him to get away with. Because Diaz has been matched soft, he has only fought 10 rounds, stopping his last four opponents in the first stanza and has been four rounds once. Diaz’s best win came over 16-33-10 Manuel Sarabia in his last fight, stopping his experienced opponent, who previously shared the ring with world champions. So has Diaz, regularly sparring at Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Gym, where youngsters with suspect attitudes or subpar skill sets are quickly exposed. Picked up professional traits in the gym, such as staying in shape to take short-notice opportunities like this. Maxboxing’s Gabriel Montoya has seen Diaz live, comparing him to Brandon Rios in style, given an aggressive nature and ability to stop foes with either hand. Diaz has good size, standing 5’8” with elastic arms, but overpowers foes instead of using that size to create distance and exploit speed advantages. As with most young boxers, Diaz mastered offense well before defense, where he falls short, despite interviews in which he states defense is a focus in the gym. Sports a ready smile and cocky stride but reported to be humble much like Victor Ortiz, whom Diaz admired growing up and patterns his power-punching style upon. Diaz understands the sport. “If they are going to be throwing me nobodies, I am not going to learn from that. I don’t want to get big-headed. I don’t want to think because I can stop all these nobodies that means when I fight a somebody, I can stop them. I don’t want to think that.” Diaz sounds introspective but it is his extroverted ring style and punishing combinations that will attract fans if Diaz’s debut is as explosive many expect.
Verdict – Versatility beats tenacity, with the faster and more compact punches of Diaz finding the target more often. The question is, what happens if Robb eats the punches and takes Diaz into the later rounds where Robb excels and Diaz has never ventured? A concern for sure but given the work Diaz has put in at the Wild Card Gym, I am going to assume he has the stamina to go six hard rounds and survive the final two. An early lead will help in that regard, which Diaz will earn with clean punching and better ring generalship. This fight either ends explosively for Diaz or he sputters across the finish line on fumes. My pick is Diaz by fifth round stoppage.
Guillermo Rigondeaux - A legendary amateur performer, Rigondeaux excelled for years in a Cuban amateur boxing system that is as competitive and ruthless as any professional sport. Rigondeaux initially went to famed trainer Freddie Roach to instill professional aspects to his vast arsenal before moving on to respected Ronnie Shields and is now tutored by Ismael Salas. I see Rigondeaux as the most gifted performer to come out of the amateurs since Roy Jones Jr., a tantalizing blend of God-given athletic gifts and the work ethic to exploit that natural talent. Watching Rigondeaux win his last gold medal in 2004, I thought he would be competitive in a world title shot in his pro debut if he could get into 12-round shape. Rigondeaux’s speed, reflexes, timing and innate sense of distance impressed me to that extent. There is no important amateur competition that Rigondeaux did not win, exiting the amateur ranks with a record estimated at 390-12. A failed defection attempt put him on the Cuban government’s blacklist, preventing him from competing in international tourneys and limiting him to coaching duties. Rigondeaux is now back in the ring where he belongs. However, at age 31 and without one-punch power, there are doubters who surfaced after a safety-first win over veteran Ricardo Cordoba. Most go back to Pernell Whitaker to find a good stylistic comparison for Rigondeaux and I agree with those assessments to a point. Rigondeaux, a southpaw, has that exceedingly rare radar Wilfredo Benitez claimed to possess. An ability to detect and react to punches in midflight, instantaneously choosing the correct strategy to avoid and counter the attack. We still have to see if his offense can be as effective as Whitaker’s when opponents crowd him and as chillingly accurate if not powerful. I liken Rigondeaux most to a current practitioner, Puerto Rico’s Ivan Calderon. He is that type of performer, a man who drives opponents nuts with defense and counterpunching. A devastating stoppage of Willie Casey in his last fight showed Rigondeaux can lead as well as counter and he scored two of the most impressive body punch kayos of 2009. All this is fine and good but it is not likely to forge Rigondeaux (now eight fights into his pro career) into the consciousness of fans as Yuriorkis Gamboa’s style has, though some charitable acts - like donating his entire purse to a Haiti relief fund gave him more needed exposure. It has also been ten months since Rigondeaux last fought with ring rust a concern, given the speed and youth of his opponent. A confident Rigondeaux has stopped six of eight opponents, the result of sublime technique and unerring accuracy more than power, and sees Ramos as another youngster to exploit though experience.
Rico Ramos – An elite amateur who hooked off the jab before his 10th birthday, Ramos rose to the level of 2006 PAL champ, a silver medalist at the Golden Gloves and USA Nationals and selected for international competitions. Considered a favorite for the 2008 Olympic team but there was a lot of depth and Ramos lost in the finals to Raynell Williams. Made the transition to the pros easily, employing a combination of speed and timely aggressiveness. The Los Angelino displayed crisp, zipping punches against Alejandro Perez in his TV debut; his accuracy and willingness to stay in the pocket to trade made me take note. Seemingly never throws less than three punches at a time but without getting greedy and remaining stationary. In only his 13th bout, Ramos won a six-round decision over former two-weight champ Kermin Guardia but could not stop the lefty and had trouble with other southpaws. In a fight against Reynaldo Lopez, who had 30 wins to his credit, Ramos put his opponent down twice but could not get the stoppage. Displayed maturity in other fights, not letting headbutts or low blows get to him, and defeated awkward southpaw Alejandro Valdez to ready himself for a title fight against Akifumi Shimoda. Might have lost some of his sharpness by only fighting twice last year and it seemed the 24-year-old lost focus due to inactivity. Maintains a 55% kayo ratio and delivered “Kayo of the Year” candidates against Heriberto Ruiz and title-winning effort against Shimoda. Was behind against Shimoda but that one punch erased many of those memories. A hard worker in the gym, which is why his weight has never fluctuated above four pounds from his pro debut, Ramos will labor on defensive skills that troubled many observers. Went the eight and 10-round distance twice without taking a deep breath against mauling opponents who tried to push him backward. Has the managerial backing of Al Haymon and is promoted by Goossen Tutor, a connected team that will accentuate Ramos’ positives even more with an alphabet title. Ramos gives a succinct description of himself, “I’m not looking for a knockout. I just want to win every round and look good at the same time. I will box like I was taught to do and if the knockout comes, I guess I make the fans a lot happier. You can expect to see a lot of jabs from me, right hand ring generalship. You can expect that I will stay composed and use the ring a lot for to my advantage.”
Verdict – I am not sure if picking Rigondeaux is considered an upset? No matter, I am picking Rigondeaux on the strength of overall experience, superior ring intellect and Ramos looking vulnerable in previous outings against southpaws. As much as I respect Ramos, I lean on the side of God-given talent in this case. Some men like Rigondeaux or Roy Jones and Floyd Mayweather just seem gifted with the boxing gene. Ramos has shown enough holes- and lack of fixing them- for me to lean toward Rigondeaux. I am expecting a hotly contested bout that could come down to the final four rounds and revolve on which fighter the judges center their attention on the most. To my eye, that is Rigondeaux, whose minimalist but precise punches and counterpunches grab the eye despite being understated. Rigondeaux will maneuver Ramos into his punches with pivots and timely backward steps, leaving an overanxious Ramos stepping into the traps and snapping back his head. Speed, reflexes and volume will keep Ramos in the game but frustration takes over in the final four rounds, leaving Ramos swinging at air as he loads up with punches. The judges see this as well, giving Ramos the championship rounds and a win in the 115-113 range.
Prediction record for 2012: 50% (1-1)
Prediction record in 2011: 88% (138-19)
Prediction record in 2010: 85% (218-40)![]()
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