HBO Championship Boxing: Ward vs. Barrera Picks

Light Heavyweight Bout: Andre Ward (28-0) vs. Sullivan Barrera (17-0)

Nolan Howell: Barrera is a fine fighter that would be a fine guy you could get behind opening a Saturday night card or headlining sometime during the week, but this is the big spotlight and it was made for Andre Ward as he looks to shake off whatever rust is left after nearly two years off en route to Sergey Kovalev. Ward will probably aim to get some ring time in here and will look to turn it on late, but I think Barrera impresses in that sense and hangs in there, forcing Ward to not take any unnecessary chances. Andre Ward by unanimous decision.

Luke Irwin: Due to his late start on his professional tour, you can’t blame Sullivan Barrera for wanting to make hay while the sun shines and take the hardest fight of his career, but I just don’t think it’s in the cards. He’ll certainly have the size advantage, and he is fundamentally sound, but I just don’t think Barrera, despite having maybe the best boxing name in history, has the horses to keep up with Ward. Ward may be the most sound active boxer in the world (not named Rigondeaux). Hope Barrera makes a fine purse, but this is Ward’s fight. Ward via UD.

NABF Featherweight Championship: Joseph Diaz (c) (19-0) vs. Jayson Velez (23-1-1)

Nolan: A showcase for the young alphabet soup champion Diaz here. Velez is solid enough to maybe challenge him for a few rounds, but this is a favorable matchup where Velez is enough of a name and poses less of a threat to boost the Olympian here. Joseph Diaz by unanimous decision.

Luke: I like this fight a lot. Good matchmaking here. Another loss for Velez might take him out of contention for that elusive world featherweight gold he was so close to having before, but I think Diaz is too sharp for him and uses him to chase his own world title. Diaz via UD.