Joshua Greer Jr. vs Mike Plania - who wins?
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Top Rank on ESPN’s summer schedule continues on Tuesday, June 16, with the return of bantamweight contender Joshua “Don’t Blink” Greer Jr. (22-1-1, 12KOs) in a 10-rounder against 23-year-old Filipino upstart Mike Plania (23-1, 12KOs) at the MGM Grand Conference Center – Grand Ballroom in Las Vegas.
Chicago's 26-year-old WBC Continental Americas and WBO NABO bantamweight champion, Greer Jr., tipped the scales slightly heavier than the IBF North American super-bantamweight champion, Plania on June 15, giving him the early advantage, but who will win this contest between two young prospects with just one single professional career loss each.
Boxing News Now asked their panel of experts for their predictions:
Jordan Bright
Boxing News Now Editor
"Joshua Greer is coming off a pair of fights that ended with decision wins over Nikolai Potapov and Antonio Nieves. Both fights illustrated his flaws can affect his best boxing credentials. So far, 18 straight victories early on in his career after a period of stumbles to get to where he is now. Top Rank have seen the talent that the 26-year-old has including the reasoning to invest in the American.
As for Plania, he has a similar record on paper with one more win in his professional career (23-1), including 12 KOs. However, the level of opponent he has faced isn’t on par to what Greer has competed against. Plania is only 23-years-old, three years younger than his next opponent. But, he has shown some skills against lower-tier opposition, and his biggest fight was a loss while still a young fighter.
Greer is very hittable, which is noticeable in previous fights. Nevertheless, Greer’s speed should be too much for Plania. There's always the danger of an upset in a fighter who thinks he's slick but gets hit far too much, but this probably isn't going to be that night.
I think Greer wins this encounter on points as he will begin fast and take full control in this fight."
Tim Rickson
Sports Agent
"Joshua Greer Jr’s sole career loss was against rising star Stephen Fulton, who is the current IBO World super-bantamweight champion, way back in 2016 in a four-rounder, so it’s not much of a indicater.
Still just 25-years-old, the Chicago fighter has time on his side and is constantly improving. He is a good mover, very light on his feet and defensive minded. His swift movement and mobility allows him to whip in body shots with speed. Despite being fleet-footed, he does have a tendency to absorb a bit too much unnecessary damage when he holds his feet under attack at times. He has good stamina, can keep throwing and staying busy right up to the final bell. He managed to outwork Antonio Nieves in their 10-round WBC Continental Americas and WBO NABO bantamweight title fight last October. He slipped in the last round, ruled as a knockdown, and managed to weather everything the enthused Nieves threw at him; Greer even taunted him and beckoned him on for more.
Although improving and learning with each fight, with a very respectable record, I still class Greer as a decent domestic level fighter right now.
Mike Plania is also only once-beaten in his career and, at 23, he’s still learning and improving as well. The Filipino is also proven at domestic level in the States, having won the IBF North American super-bantamweight title in his last fight just days before Christmas last year. His first fight in America, he received a hostile welcome with his one and only career defeat to former WBA and IBO World super-bantamweight champion Juan Carlos Payano in 2018. He has since won his last four fights in the US.
Although both boxers have the same KO count and ratio – 12 knockouts, 50% ratio – I believe that ‘Magic’ Mike has the heavy hands. He loads up and lands heavier, in my view, whereas Greer is more of a relentless puncher.
However, despite the talk of KOs, I believe this bout has got points written all over it. I also see this is a 50-50 fight, so it’s a great matchup for the fans. It’s hard to call whether Greer’s busy style will rack up the rounds or if Plania will land regular eye-catching shots to steal the rounds. I don’t do this often, but I’m actually going to predict a draw for this fight."
Matt Marsh
Former British champion
"I've seen a bit Joshua Greer Jr and heard some good things. He's got a good, busy style like most bantamweights.
I don't know as much about Mike Plania, admittedly, but he's got a decent record, looks confident in his fights, but Greer is being lined up for big things, so I've got more confidence in him winning this.
It looks like a risky fight on paper, but I just think his team have matched him well and a win here will really push him forward in his career.
I think Greer wins comfortably on points; he'll set a good pace and I can see him really take over the fight in the second half."
Ace Adam
Unbeaten super-middleweight prospect
"I'm a big fan of Joshua Greer, I think he's got a nice style of 'hit and don't get hit'. I don't know as much about his opponent, but from what footage I've seen, I think Greer's got this one in the bag. Greer to probably win on points, but if Plania comes out swinging, then it could be an early night for him. So, I wouldn't be surprised if Greer gets a knockout with some stylish counter-punching."
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