Andy Cruz vs Artur Subkhankulov

I fancy Cruz here, but Subkhankulov’s a tricky bit of business. Cruz likes to get in, score and turn you before you can get your feet set. I’d have Subkhankulov put his southpaw jab on Cruz’s chest. It’s a much easier target than the head, and if it checks Cruz’s feet for half a beat, there’s room to send the straight left in behind it.

What I like about Cruz is how quickly he picks up on a jab thrown at the same pace. Give him the same look twice, and he’ll start feinting the entry, drawing the jab and slipping outside it to land his right hand. I reckon Subkhankulov will make him earn the early rounds, but Cruz will get the better of those exchanges once he’s got the timing. Cruz by unanimous decision.