Great Night for FNF

In what is perhaps ESPN's best night of boxing ever, Tavoris Cloud faces off against Clinton Woods this evening, while in the co-headliner Randall Bailey takes on Juan Urango, with both bouts being for titles. In the first scrap, Woods is a crafty vet who should pose more of a threat than Julio Gonzalez, the ex-champ who is the biggest name on Cloud's resume. Moreover, the Gonzalez fight, more than a year ago, was the last time Cloud stepped between the ropes; such a long layoff is never a good thing for a still developing fighter. I'm betting that Cloud, an exciting banger, will eventually find his rhythm and ice Woods in the later rounds, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Woods frustrate and bust Cloud up early, and hold on for a decision win.

In the 140-pound title fight, we get to see one of the best one-shot punchers this era against a brutal body puncher with an iron chin. Urango's last time out was at 147 against Andre Berto; fighting the much, much slower Bailey is like boxing's equivalent of taking the metal donut off the bat. If Bailey can put a shot on Urango's chin (like he did at 1:45 here, for instance), the fight will probably end, but I think Urango is going to avoid that one shot and body-punch his way to a late knockout.