Abraham - Miranda Prediction

By JE Grant

Highly ranked middleweight Arthur Abraham revisits his toughest challenge to date in an over-the-limit bout with power-punching Edison Miranda June 21st in Florida. 

In amassing a 26-0 (21 KOs) record, Abraham proved his worth in the middleweight division in his 2006 meeting with Miranda, 30-2 (26 KOs), regardless of the controversial nature of the outcome. While outworking Miranda for much of the bout, he also suffered a broken jaw and was fouled on multiple occasions. 

The five points deducted from Miranda (headbutts, low blows), made the scoring appear one-sided when the bout was anything but.  Abraham controlled the early action but as the fight progressed Miranda gained momentum and landed hard with both hands. 

If Abraham-Miranda I proved anything it was that Abraham has as much determination and grit as anyone in the division and his work-rate is brutal. “King” Arthur’s big knockout total is, however, somewhat misleading in determining his power. In fights with Ian Gardner, Howard Eastman, and Miranda --- the only recognizable names on his record --- he was unable to put away the competition. 

Miranda also proved his mettle in his losing effort. No one, perhaps especially Abraham, will question “Pantera’s” considerable power. His lapses in technical skill are more than overshadowed by a knockout reel that excites crowds and makes prospective opponents wince.

Both fighters seem to bring out the best and worst in each other. Miranda landed on Abraham to some effect but did not sustain a mixed attack. Abraham turned up the heat on Miranda with a high-volume effort but received the slugger’s big shots while standing directly in front of him on too many occasions.

Much has transpired since their first meeting. Abraham is 4-0 (4 KOs) all in defense of a meaningless belt. He seems to have recovered from broken jaw and appears as determined as ever.

Miranda is 4-1 (3 KOs) following the Abraham bout. That one loss, a devastating knockout at the hands of Kelly Pavlik, caused Miranda to abandon the middleweight division and move up to super-middleweight.  

PREDICTION

Abraham has likely learned more from the first meeting. While not a defensive master, he does slip punches and finds angles to land his numerous punches. He knows that simply trading with Miranda does not give him his best opportunity to win. Miranda is a pure two-fisted puncher. He expects to win by knockout not only in every bout but with every punch. Unlike many big hitters, Miranda can go deep into a bout and remain dangerous. If he selected a jab more often he could breakup the game plan of Abraham but that is not indicated by his record to date. Abraham will punch in flurries and move his head to consistently frustrate Miranda. Round after round will go to Abraham as Miranda’s desperation increases. Although this bout represents Abraham’s first venture outside Europe, he is a proven veteran who won’t be rankled.

Abraham by a lopsided 12 round decision.