WBA welterweight champion Jamal James (27-1, 12 KOs) and Radzhab Butaev (13-1, 10 KOs) will fight on Showtime October 30 at the Virgins Hotel in Las Vegas. The bout will be part of the WBA-mandated box-off to define a single champion at 147 pounds.
The winner of this fight will have to fight the winner of Yordenis Ugas vs. his mandatory challenger Eimantas Stanionis, who will fight for the super championship in the next few months. Once the box-off is over, there will be only one champion in the category.
This is a really good matchup. Im doubtful that the winner can beat Ugas. But if Santionis can beat Ugas then it could be a very good fight against either James or Butaev.
I’m taking Butaev over James and I think Stanionis gets picked apart by Ugas.
Interesting matchup between a beautiful boxer who lacks power and a powerfull Russian style offensive fighter who hits hard with both hands. My pick is Butaev on UD or late stoppage.