Viewer's Guide: Tabiti, Harrison Try to Cement Rise

Viewer's Guide: Tabiti, Harrison Try to Cement Rise

This feature was designed for a weekend just like this one. There's little I can really tell you bout Amir Khan and Canelo Alvarez. If you're a fan of the s

May 13, 2016 by Jeremy Botter
Viewer's Guide: Tabiti, Harrison Try to Cement Rise
This feature was designed for a weekend just like this one. There's little I can really tell you bout Amir Khan and Canelo Alvarez. If you're a fan of the sport, that one is already on your radar. 

But this weekend? There are fights up and down the dial, most featuring boxers you likely don't recall. Which are worth watching and which should you skip entirely? Have no fear friends—FLO Boxing is here to help.


Andrew Tabiti (12-0, 11 KOs) vs. Keith Tapia (17-0, 11 KOs)

Date: May 13th
Network: Showtime
Promoter: Mayweather Promotions
Undercard: Michael Hunter (11-0) vs. Isiah Thomas (15-0), Sanjarbek Rakhmanov (4-0) vs. Alfonso Olvera (7-2), Ronald Gavril (15-1) vs. Juan Camilo Novoa (26-6-1)
Interest Level: Medium


Shobox returns with another 4 fight card that can best be described as “Throw everything at the wall and see what sticks.” Tabiti is your ascendent star here, training out of the Mayweather Gym and supposedly looking very good in sparring. He appears to be a serious contender in one of boxing’s most exciting divisions—yet his biggest TV appearances typically leave him looking less than impressive. Tapia is not as well known, but he’s acquired better scalps. They’re about evenly matched and got into it a bit at the weigh in on Thursday, so this could definitely be interesting.

Honestly, in a fair fight, the guys in the other cruiserweight bout on the card probably beat them both. Michael Hunter’s father was heavyweight Mike “The Bounty” Hunter, and Isiah Thomas was at least named after the Pistons great, though they are not relations. 

Both fights are a toss up, really. Because of that, I’m picking the guy whose promoter is putting on the show. This, after all, is still boxing.

Main Event Prediction: Andrew Tabiti by Split Decision


Dusty Hernandez-Harrison(29-0, 16 KOs) vs. Mike Dallas Jr. (21-3-1, 10 KOs)

Date: May 13th
Network: BET
Promoter: Throne Boxing
Undercard: Luis Orlando Del Valle (21-2) vs. Thomas Snow(18-2), Zhilei Zhang (8-0) vs. John Orr (1-7)
Interest Level: Low


Throne Boxing (owned by Jay-Z) doesn’t really have a TV deal, so they bought time on BET to showcase Dusty Hernandez-Harrison. He's a solid prospect kind of spinning his wheels career wise. He needs a break—win or lose here, this probably isn't it.

Mike Dallas Jr. represents a significant step up on paper, but Dallas Jr. took almost 3 years off from the sport following his 1st round KO loss to Lucas Matthysse in 2013. When he finally came back to the ring, he faced fighters with a combined record of 7-38-6. He's not in there to win.

The chief undercard attraction is a bout between two guys outside the top 75  in the super bantamweight class which is less than scintillating stuff. But heads will turn when Chinese heavyweight Zhilei Zhang demolishes John Orr, a fighter with a 1-7 record in a freakshow fight on the undercard.

Main Event Prediction: Dusty Hernandez-Harrison by 7th Round KO


Saul Rodriguez (19-0-1, 16 KOs) vs. Daulis Prescott (31-3, 6 KOs)

Date: May 14th
Network: UniMas
Promoter: Top Rank
Undercard: Carlos Licona (6-0) vs. Cesar Sustina (3-2)
Interest Level: Medium


Super featherweight is not a good division, which is bad for fans but opens doors for some guys who probably don't belong in high profile bouts. Guys like Saul Rodriguez and Daulis Prescott, for example. Prescott has been KOed twice in his career, both when stepping up in competition. Whatever else you say about him, Rodriguez is a hard puncher. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure this one out. 

There are some really wacky and amazing undercard fights (such as Andy Ruiz vs. former heavyweight world title challenger Ray Austin), but tit appears they won't make television. Meanwhile Carlos Licona whooping poor Cesar Sustina is listed as the bout that makes the TV card. Go figure.The boxing gods are not always kind.

Main Event Prediction: Saul Rodriguez by 5th Round KO


Carlos Diaz Ramirez (19-0, 10 KOs) vs. Roberto Marroquin (25-3-1, 18 KOs)

Date: May 14th
Network: beIN Sports
Promoter: Zanfer Promotions?
Undercard: Raul Hirales (22-5-1)  vs. Jose Cayetano (19-4), Antonio DeMarco (31-6-1) vs. TBD
Interest Level: Medium


This is actually a really good show, and it is kinda a shame that it is demoted to a network like beIN Sports. No diss.

Marroquin isn’t necessarily a special fighter, but Ramirez is an undefeated lightweight who’s beaten really decent competition at this stage of his career. This is another solid step up the ladder for him—and  in a division where there’s a lot of opportunity for a promising young fighter. 

The undercard features the return of Antonio DeMarco. Yes, he suffered three straight losses. But the worst of them came when fighting above his best weight and he gave Omar Figueroa Jr hell last time out. He’s still got something in the tank and will prove it here. Too bad no one will be watching.

Main Event Prediction: Carlos Diaz Ramirez by Unanimous Decision