Julian Williams vs. Marcello Matano: Preview, Prediction for Showtime Card
Showtime returns to one of the best boxing venues in the Northeast this weekend, when it presents a tripleheader on Saturday night from the Sands Bethlehem Event Center in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Two undefeated, rising contenders will be in action.
Middleweight Antoine Douglas (19-0-1, 13 KOs) will attempt to move one step closer to top-contender status when he faces tough veteran Avtandil Khurtsidze (31-2-2, 20 KOs). Junior Middleweight Tony Harrison (22-1, 18 KOs) will look to start 2016 on a winning note against Fernando Guerrero (28-3, 20 KOs), after suffering the first loss of his career in 2015.
In the main event, one of the top rising stars in the sport, Julian Williams (21-0-1, 13 KOs), will face off in an IBF-title eliminator against Marcello Matano (16-1, 5 KOs) of Italy.
Key Storylines
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Julian Williams is one of the biggest rising stars in the junior middleweight division. He has looked outstanding against journeymen and prospects. But so far, he's been unable to make the fight that could elevate him the the division's elite.
Marcello Matano probably isn't even the best opponent he's faced. But this is an IBF eliminator, so winning should get Williams in line for a shot at IBF champion Jermall Charlo.
Williams vs. Charlo could be one of the best fights of 2016.
Antoine Douglas is a blue-chip talent at middleweight. He boxed at the international level as an amateur and turned professional a month after his 20th birthday. In 2014, he drew with Michel Soro, who the Ring ranks in the top 10 at 160 pounds.
Avtandil Khurtsidze is certainly an opponent he should beat, but he's a rough customer, just the same.
Tony Harrison vs. Fernando Guerrero could be the most competitive fight on this card. Harrison is a big puncher and represents the proud heritage of Detroit's Kronk Gym. But he suffered a devastating knockout loss against Willie Nelson last July.
Guerrero is a former world-title challenger at middleweight. He's got good power, but all three of his losses have come by stoppage.
Williams vs. Matano: Tale of the Tape
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| Per Boxrec | Julian Williams | Marcello Matano |
| Record: | 21-0-1, 13 KOs | 16-1, 5 KOs |
| Height: | 5'11" | 5'8" |
| Reach: | 72.5" | Unlisted |
| Weight: | 154 lbs | 154 lbs |
| Age: | 25 | 29 |
| Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Hometown: | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Veneto, Italy |
| Rounds: | 116 | 114 |
Julian Williams is the younger, longer fighter. He also has more professional experience and has fought a better quality of opposition.
Williams isn't a KO artist, but he's stopped over 50 percent of his opponents. Matano has won just five times by knockout.
Williams will be fighting close to home in Bethlehem.
Prediction for Williams vs. Matano
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There's very little chance for Julian Williams to lose this fight. He's more experienced than Marcello Matano, more technically skilled and far more gifted physically.
Expect to see Williams use a stiff jab to keep Matano on the outside, in range for his power shots. The biggest question for this fight is whether Williams will push hard for a finish.
With a title shot probably only one more win away, Williams could chose to play things safe and simply pile up the rounds against an overmatched opponent.
But we'll likely see him view this as an opportunity to make a major statement. Matano simply doesn't look like the kind of opponent who can hurt him, even if he does take some risks.
Williams will press hard for the stoppage and end the fight within the first seven rounds.
Harrison vs. Guerrero Tale of the Tape
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| Per Boxrec | Tony Harrison | Fernando Guerrero |
| Record: | 22-1, 18 KOs | 28-3, 20 KOs |
| Height: | 6'1" | 5'9" |
| Reach: | 76.5" | 72" |
| Weight: | 160 lbs | 160 lbs |
| Age: | 25 | 29 |
| Stance: | Orthodox | Southpaw |
| Hometown: | Detroit, Michigan | Salisbury, Maryland |
| Rounds: | 69 | 149 |
Fernando Guerrero has good reach for a middleweight, but Harrison is a long, tall fighter. He uses that length to generate power in the classic Kronk Gym style of Thomas Hearns.
Guerrero has decent stopping power, as well. There should be some heavy leather thrown in this bout.
Prediction for Harrison vs. Guerrero
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Fernando Guerrero can reignite his career with a win over Tony Harrison, so expect him to come in ready for war. There's a good chance this one could be the best fight of the night.
But a lanky, well-schooled fighter like Harrison can be a difficult problem to solve. Guerrero will attempt to get inside and pound away at Harrison's body. He'll try to back the Detroit native up.
Harrison should mostly succeed in controlling the distance, though. It wouldn't be surprising to see this fight provide some real excitement, at least for several rounds.
In the end, Harrison will catch up to Guerrero with a punch that ends the night early. All three of Guerrero's professional losses have been by stoppage. Harrison is going to make it a fourth on Saturday night.
Douglas vs. Khurtsidze Tale of the Tape
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| Per Boxrec | Antoine Douglas | Avtandil Khurtsidze |
| Record: | 19-0-1, 13 KOs | 31-2-2, 20 KOs |
| Height: | 6'0" | 5'4" |
| Reach: | 74" | Unlisted |
| Weight: | 160 lbs | 160 lbs |
| Age: | 23 | 36 |
| Stance: | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Hometown: | Burke, Virginia | Brooklyn, New York |
| Rounds: | 81 | 195 |
Avtandil Khurtsidze lives in Brooklyn now, but he's a native of the Republic of Georgia. Against Antoine Douglas, he's giving up huge margins in length and age.
The only edge that goes to Khurtsidze here is experience. He's got over twice as many fights and rounds.
Prediction for Douglas vs. Khurtsidze
7 of 7I watched three of Antoine Douglas' first nine fights from press row and have been high on him as a future contender ever since.
Avtandil Khurtsidze is certainly an opponent who deserves respect. He's an experienced veteran, and this is most likely his last chance to really do something in the sport.
But Douglas is a mature, intelligent young fighter, and he'll bring his full attention to the task at hand. And if he does that, his physical advantages should simply prove too much for Khurtsidze.
Khurtsidze will make a game effort to force the fight into the pocket, where he has a shot to rough the younger man up. But expect to see Douglas use his length and movement to control the distance and inflict heavy damage.
Khurtsidze might finish the fight on his feet. But he'll pay a price for his bravery. And he'll lose by wide margins
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