Rios vs Antillon

Tip: Rios to beat Antillon on points 9/4 (bwin)
TV: N/A
Stakes: WBA World Lightweight Title

We might as well start with the guy who I'm guessing people haven't heard of (although this could be true for both fighters in the UK). Urban Antillon has been there with two 'name fighters', Humberto Soto and Miguel Acosta (Rios has also fought Acosta, W TKO 10). In both fights he lost, by technical stoppage against Acosta and by a close points decision with Soto, although to be fair to Antillon the point deducted from him effectivley cost him a majortiy draw verdict as two judges had it 113-114.

During some periods of his career, Antillon has vowed to change his trademark Mexican come forward style, he has told us he wanted to work more with the jab against Soto and that didn't really happen. He strikes me as a guy (you have to consider I have seen him fight three times) who reverts back to type, a la Ricky Hatton. Granted this can be a very effective style but it's no concidence that as soon as the brawlers step up to the B level or the A level fighter, they can get found out. Soto was a bit to accurate and skilled for him and just about deserved it in the end.

Now some of you may wonder why I am backing a guy with a eight fight KO streak to win on points, so here is why; Antillon's knockout loss was effectivley a one punch knockout, an uppercut right to the cranium (which he is vunerable to). In my opinion I think he will survive against guys who have accumlative power, like Rios. Checkout this streak Rios has hit since he drew with Perez, 6 of the 8 have been TKO's not KO's, he is a strong, durable type who likes to fight so there is no question he is capable of stopping Antillon but I'm prediciting the streak will end and I think 9/4 is quite a reasonable price here. I wouldn't advise anyone to bet to much on fighters they have not watched to much of, and I certainly wouldn't advise anyone to follow advice from someone who also hasan't watched so much of either fighter, so this is a limit stakes bet for me, half of what I would usually bet.