Angulo TKO mid-late rounds. Rhodes is a good operator and I like him but I think Angulo is one of the best LMWs around today and will challenge for and win one of the titles soon. Angulo would break Rhodes down with his constant pressure and power. Can't wait to see Angulo in with somebody at the top of the division. Shame that Mayorga pulled out. That would have been a war.
Rhodes is the better boxer and has better speed and defence. Angulo has the better stamina and is a much more aggressive boxer but his defence is leaky, more or less a poor man's Margarito but slightly better boxing skills. Doesn't have one-punch KO power but punches hard enough. You might not agree but at this stage I think Rhodes wins on points. Angulo has only had 15 fights and hasn't faced anyone like Rhodes, someone who will box him and not just go toe to toe with him. Rhodes would outbox him and make Angulo miss and frustrate him before fading down the stretch and allowing Angulo to win a few more rounds and make it close on the scorecards.
I'd back Rhodes in this instance. My only worry with Rhodes is that he can get sloppy at times, especially when he knows he is winning a fight clearly - see the Coyle fight as an example. He would make Angulo miss a lot, you can never tell how a young fighter is going to react when he can barely lay a glove on an opponent for the first third of a fight....... When Rhodes beats Small I hope to see him take on a top 10 opponent next - vacate the British if necessary.
I'd give you the better boxing, speed, defence etc. But I think after 5-6 rounds Angulo's pressure will start to take it's toll. I think he'd be able to take the shots off of Rhodes through the first few rounds while trying to find his range etc. Once Rhodes starts to fade, Angulo's punches will start to tell and Angulo will finish him off.
Rhodes by KO. Angulo is a lot of hype right now. I see him as an inferior Margarito, without such a proven chin.
rhodes is completley the wrong style for angulo, and would cause him major problems. also rhodes has never lost at light middle. i still go with angulo but its 60-40. he destroys a guy like jamie moore, but struggles with rhodes
Alfredo's hands are stuck in some kind of treacle. Infact, I am convinced there is an invisible bubble surrounding "Perro" that applies pressure like water. Rhodes would own his ass so easily in the first 6 it would be laughable and a complete shock to people on this hypetrain. Even when he does land he has accumulative power, Rhodes has fought at middleweight, it wouldn't be a huge problem. The danger zone for Rhodes is rounds 8 onwards, Angulo keeps going and Rhodes reflexes and speed are dimmed at this point. But I'm fairly confident Rhodes has the awkward angles and power to hurt him before that happens, or at least take something out of him.
