Showtime Championship Boxing Picks

WBA Super World Featherweight Championship: Leo Santa Cruz (c) (32-0-1) vs. Carl Frampton (22-0)

Nolan Howell: While Frampton will be able to throw in volume, Santa Cruz likely won’t be drawn in that easily. Santa Cruz will be able to take whatever Frampton throws at him and pick him apart as he opens up more and fatigues more as a result. Frampton will have a strong showing early, but Santa Cruz only needs a few rounds to solve this puzzle. Leo Santa Cruz by unanimous decision.

Junior Middleweight Bout: Sergey Rabchenko (27-1) vs. Tony Harrison (23-1)

Nolan: All you need to know is Rabchenko lost to Anthony Mundine and Mundine is one of the more notable names on his ledger. Harrison isn’t battle-tested either, but Rabchenko seems to have settled where he is going to be in the division. Tony Harrison by fifth-round TKO.

Lightweight Bout: Ivan Redkach (19-1-1) vs. Tevin Farmer (21-4-1)

Nolan: Farmer seems to be on a roll after dropping a handful of fights earlier in his career. Redkach seems like a good feed for him. Tevin Farmer by unanimous decision.

Welterweight Bout: Gabriel Bracero (24-2) vs. Paulie Malignaggi (35-7)

Nolan: This should be Malignaggi’s swan song, or close to it. If he has enough left in the tank to win this, he can likely grab some sort of belt and leave the sport on a high note. Bracero won’t have much chance of hurting Malignaggi, but Malignaggi needs to prove he can still compete at this level. I think he shows he has a little left. Paulie Malignaggi by unanimous decision.