Upcoming Fights and Boxing News

As entertaining and exciting as the first 6 months of 2011 has been for boxing, the next 6 months should provide just as much enthusiasm for boxing fans. Fans will get to start off their 4th of July weekend with a fight Saturday afternoon; Wladimir Klitchsko vs David Haye and then continue on through the summer with 5 of the top 10 fights to watch going on these next 2 months. Below is a list of the fights you should mark your calendar for.

10. Bernard Hopkins vs. Chad Dawson (10-15-2011) – After the Hopkins win over Jean Pascal, rumblings were that no one wanted to see a Hopkins Dawson fight, Dawson’s fight on the Hopkins undercard was boring and hard to watch for 12 rounds. Dawson however was next in line for the title shot as he lost the title to Pascal in early 2009. Dawson has all the tools to make this a competitive fight, but he seems to rarely use them. After his wins over Antonio Tarver, Dawson seems to have regressed. Dawson will need to find his groove once again if he hopes to beat Hopkins. Hopkins is as close to a throwback fighter as you will find now a days. Hopkins is also a great promoter who can get into a fighters head (Trinidad?) and make them fight a Hopkins fight. Hopkins stated that he wants to be more aggressive because that is what the fans want to see, but I wouldn’t expect much in terms of a slug fest in this fight. Hopkins will be methodical and apply constant pressure to dominate his way to a 12 round Unanimous Decision.

9. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (Nov 12, 2011) – Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez will face each other for the third time this November. Many people felt that the first two fights could have went either way with the decision (1st fight was a Draw, 2nd fight Pac by SD) and many were hoping for a 3rd fight. However, since the 2nd fight in 2007 both fighters careers have went in different directions. Pacquiao has exploded worldwide as the pound for pound best fight in the world, going from 135lb and moving all the way to 147lb. Along the way dominating every opponent he has faced.Marquez has had his stock stay fairly steady with wins over Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor and Michael Katsidis and a loss to Mayweather. This fight almost seemed inevitable, but as each fighter has looked good the last 4 years, Marquez is 37 and the fight will take place at a catchweight of 144lb. Marquez has only been north of 140lb once and that was against Mayweather- Mayweather dominated a soft looking Marquez for a UD decision. Pacquiao seems to get stronger going up in weight as he’s dominated, Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto and Shane Mosley at 140lb or above. The 3rd fight will be far easier for Pacquiao than most people think; I would look for the fight to be over in 8 rounds or less.

8A. Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara (07-09-2011) Paul Williams is making his way back to the ring 8 months after he was knocked out in the 2nd round of his fight with Sergio Martinez. Paul Williams is one of the most avoided fighters in boxing today, everything about his fighting style and size makes it difficult for any fighter to get in the ring with him and have a chance to win. Williams is also a work horse, throwing more than 100 punches each round makes it difficult for anyone to get in a rhythm. Erislandy Lara is an up and coming fighter that is only 3 years into his pro career, Lara has power to compete with Williams but Williams is looking for revenge and will look to do the same thing with Lara as he did against Carlos Quintana-Make a statement after a loss. Expect Lara to be ready for an aggressive Paul Williams in the beginning which Lara should survive but lose a 12 round Unanimous Decision.

8B. Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek (09-10-2011) The heavyweight division is still a little down and even with the younger Klitschko facing Haye. After that fight there is little excitement in the Division, Vitali being ranked second behind his brother faces Tomas Adamek in September. This fight will be held in Poland, pair that with neither of these fighters being American this fight will go largely unnoticed in the states(unless Haye wins this weekend), yet this fight will do great across the pond. Klitschko has dominated most of his competition lately and proved his worth as a good current champion. Adamek has been fighting in the Heavyweight class for the last 2 years and has shown solid improvement since moving up in weight. However, Adamek is not fighting an average heavyweight with limited punching power; Adamek is facing a hard punching boxer who has shown that he has a solid chin as well. Vitali Klitschko should be able to impose his will against Adamek, and stop him late in the fight.

7. Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah (07-23-11)Amir Khan was supposed to fight Timothy Bradley but Bradley decided he wasn’t interested in the fight right now so Judah stepped up and will face Khan. Judah a fast and hard hitting southpaw looks to become world champion once again on July 23rd. Khan is trying to make a name for himself in the US; the UK native has fought 2 of his last 3 fights in the US and will once again be here in the US. Khan looks to be the better fighter at this point of either of their careers, but many still question his chin as Khan had a little trouble with Maidana and fans will not forgethis 1st round knockout loss to Breidis Prescott in 2007. Judah who has good name recognition along with a small little comeback on the winning side of fights hopes to catch lightning in a bottle. Judah still has fast hands and good power that can make the first few rounds interesting. If Judah hopes towin this fight must look to get an early lead on the judges’ scorecards or go for a knockout. Judah is not one to be a good 12 round fighter typically and seems to fade after the 6th or 7thround. Khan will be the better fighter over 12 rounds and win an easy decision- if it goes that far.

6. Carl Froch vs. Andre Ward (10-29-2011) It has been over 2 years since Showtime announced the Super 6 tournament and it’s felt a lot longer at times with all issues that has plagued the tournament. It’s nice to see that two of the original six are in the finals. Froch the UK native lost only to Mikkel Kessler in the 1st round robin tournament by decision but came back to dominate a over-matched Arthur Abraham and then defeat a very game Glen Johnson. Ward is the only fighter to go through the tournament undefeated and looked better with each outing. Now these two will face off in October for the Super 6 Middleweight crown. This fight is almost an evenly matched fight but Ward seems to be the more skilled of the two. Carl Froch is no joke and should not be over looked in the fight but Ward seems to have gained the necessary confidence he needs to face the top competition. Froch will make the fight interesting but Ward should be able to beat Froch to the punch as Froch likes to keep his hands low at times and fights without discretion of getting hit. While this style will help Froch stay in the fight, the cleaner punching and combinations that Ward will display should have him coming out of the fight with a Split Decision.

5. Brandon Rios vs.Urbano Antillon (07-09-2011) Rios is one of the up and coming fighters to emerge the last couple years and Urbano Antillon is coming off a FOY candidate with Humberto Soto. These two fighters both have pride and willingness to stand toe to toe for 12 rounds but the fight will not last that long. If anyone was able to catch the press conference, Rios and Antillon seem to not care for one another and they both have bad intentions, yet in the end Rios will be able to take more punches to land his heavy hands. Unless Antillon tries to outbox Rios- Rios should be able to take Antillon out by the 10th round.

4. Marcos Maidana vs. Robert Guerrero (08-27-2011) Guerrero is probably one of the least talked about 135lb boxers fighting. Guerrero has remained largely unknown due to the fact that he has been taking care of his wife in the past while she was fighting leukemia and has pulled out of fights and relinquished his title in order to be with his family. Now his wife is healthier and Guerrero is able to get back to what he does best. Win. Maidana has faced far better competition at this point of their careers. Maidana has had mixed results in his fights with Khan, Ortiz and Morales but no matter the outcome he is always in the fights, win or lose, and it should be no different with Guerrero. A big question will be answered in the fight, is if Guerrero can take a punch from a guy like Maidana. Guerrero has shown to have a solid chin but Maidana is probably the hardest puncher Guerrero will have faced. If he can handle Maidana’s power then it will be a little easier to make a Rios Guerrero fight down road. Guerrero has shown that he likes to trade with his opponent but Maidana seems limited in his boxing skill which Guerrero will expose on his way to a 12 round Unanimous Decision.

3. Abner Mares vs. Joseph Agbeko (08-13-2011) This fight was supposed to take place this past April, but Agbeko had a sciatic nerve attack that cancelled the bout. Now, Agbeko is back and healthy, the fight has been rescheduled for August. These two fighters participated in a 4 man tournament that also included Vic Darchinyan and Yohnny Perez. Mares and Agbeko both hold wins over Darchinyan in which both men fought smart fights; Mares showed he could stand and fight with the hard punching Armenian and Agbeko showed he couldoutbox his foe. Mares and Agbeko should make for a great fight. Both fighters want to prove their status among the bantamweight elite and perhaps to make a fight against thereigning champion Nonito Donaire. Agbeko will look to box Mares on the outside and then catch him with a power shot. Mares is an exciting fighter that can mix it up on the inside as well as box from the outside if need be. Agbeko will try and dictate the pace of the fight but if Mares can press the fight and make Agbeko fight going backwards then he will beat Agbeko. Mares is not afraid to mix it up and go for a big punch every now and then as well. Agbeko will keep the fight on the outside if he can, but in the end the younger and hungrier Mares will emerge victorious in a 12 round Split Decision.

2. Victor Ortiz vs. Floyd Mayweather (09-17-2011) After a 16 month layoff, Floyd Mayweather is back in the ring with Victor Ortiz, who just came off a 12 round UD against Andre Berto. Mayweather claimed that he heard fans complain he fought guys that were older and over the hill and Ortiz is a young and hard hitting fighter. Mayweather is right; Ortiz is a young and exciting fighter with power. He is also a southpaw that has given Mayweather trouble in past. Many critics view Ortiz as a precursor to an eventual fight with Manny Pacquiao and that Mayweather picked Ortiz because of his fighting style may mimic the closest thing he can get to Pacquiao. Ortiz for his part should be confident; he just beat a very good Andre Berto, a fight that had Ortiz on the canvas more than once. Ortiz prevailed with a 12 UD, so Ortiz is riding a wave of confidence. This fight will be on HBO PPV along with the mini series HBO 24/7, the show will be able to get a great back story with Ortiz and make for dramatic television. The 24/7 will definitely bring viewers in, along with the promotional money Goldenboy will put behind this fight should bring the casual fan back for the fight. In the end with all the hype and drama the 24/7 will have, it will not change the outcome of the fight. The fight should be a clear one sided victory forMayweather. Ortiz is a good challenge for Mayweather but Ortiz is still a step below Mayweather in the talent area. The Mayweather haters will have to wait until a Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather fight is possibly made to see a fighter that can beat Mayweather.

1. Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Haye (07-02-2011) This is possibly the biggest heavyweight fight of significance since Vitali Klitschko fought Lennox Lewis in 2003. David Haye is a brash and confident fighter from the UK that has far more speed than anyone that Klitschko has faced in his career. Haye also has enough power to hurt the

champion. Klitschko has turned into a good boxer with Emmanuel Steward’s help; Klitschko has become the champion he is today. Klitschko has learned how to use his reach to stay out of harm’s way, while knocking his opponents out. Granted both the Klitschko brothers are fighting in an era that there are very few heavyweights to compete with either of them, Haye can beat both. This fight should be one to watch, a Haye win and this may mean a new era of a Heavyweight Champion. If Haye goes out the way most of Klitschko’s opponents usually do, by KO, there will be no Vitali Klitschko fight. Klitschko will try and paw with his jab to feel Haye out in the early rounds and then play it safe with his Jab, straight right combo. However, Haye will be too quick to be lulled into playing that game all night, It wouldn’t be a shock to see Haye figure out Klitschko in the mid roundsand catch Haye with an overhand right. Klitschko will be stopped by the 7th in an upset.

I am excited for all the fights in July, a month that is typically slow for boxing has some good fights. I am still however a little disappointed that Showtime and HBO keep putting premium fights against one another on the same night. 07-09-2011 Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara (HBO) and Brandon Rios vs. Urbano Antillon (Showtime). I understand, boxing a business and each network wants viewers but being one of the viewer it’s getting old trying to choose which fight to watch or always switching from one network to the other.It would be nice to go back to a few years when networks never went up against one another.I know, that’s wishful thinking, but maybe one day…

A heads up to anyone heading to the Paul Williams vs Erislandy Lara fight, hit me up on twitter @tribe5g, I will be out there as well. I’m always up for meeting other boxing fans and of course…talking some boxing.

And then…

Where in the world is Timothy Bradley? Hope that he sure know’s what he’s doing.