The only world title fight this weekend is a fight that could very easily go under the radar of the general boxing public as WBC Light Flyweight champion Adrian Hernandez (27-2-1, 16) faces little known Japanese challenger Atsushi Kakutani (13-3-1, 6) in what appears to be little more than a mismatch in favour of the Mexican champion.
Aged 28 the Japanese challenger is a fighter who appears to have been purposefully selected by the champion as a relatively easy defense. Whilst it's fair to say that Hernandez is staying active with this being his third defense of the year and his fourth fight in just 12 months it's seems like a distant memory since he was last in with a notable opponent in Kompayak Porpramook.
In the ring Hernandez is a talented boxer puncher who really does seem able to out box or out fight opponents depending on his mood. Although he's proven to be capable at the world level with victories over Porpramool, Gilberto Keb Baas and Rodel Mayol he has left many with question marks due to his struggles against some lesser fighters, including Yader Cardoza ina fight he clearly won but yet still seemed to struggle in.
I think, though I may be wrong, that the reason Hernandez has looked so sluggish in some fights, not all fights but some, is his sheer size. He stands around 5'8" which is huge for a light Flyweight and whilst he has made his name at 108lbs it seems likely that he'd be a very good sized fighter at 115lbs or even 118lbs, two weights where I actually think he'll be better suited.
At his best Hernandez is a sound fighter with a stinging jab that he works well off and a solid work rate. At his worst he's a fighter who gives up his size and gets dragged into the wrong type of fight, thankfully however he's tended to avoid those most of the time.
Kakutani himself has never proven to be even close to world class. In his most notable bouts he has been beaten by both Warlito Parrenas (LTKO1) and Teiru Kinoshita (LSD10) and his most notable victory has come against domestic rival Katsuya Matsuura. Not the the record of a championship contender that's for sure.
Not only does Kakutani lack any sort of pedigree but he also has a serious issue in terms of power. With Hernandez being a durable fighter, despite his two stoppage losses, a fighter will need to have power to keep him from doing as he pleases. Unfortunately Kakutani's lack of power is also combined with a relative lack of durability on his side with 2 of his 3 losses coming by stoppage and both coming very early in the bout.
In all honesty this would seem like a bout that Hernandez has in the bag. He can box Kakutani's socks off for 12 rounds or just go in and steam roll him, depending on the mood he's in and the impression he's looking to leave. Personally I'd assume it's going to be a quick job by Hernandez.
Prediction-Hernandez TKO2
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