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Match: Chris John v Jackson Asiku |
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| Date: 27-07-2008 |
Title: WBA Featherweight Title
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| Weight: Featherweight |
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| Venue: Dunia Fantasi Amusement Park, Ancol, Jakarta, Indonesia |
| Prediction: John Points win |
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| At 41-0-1 Chris John is only not listed in the top 10 pound for pound list because of his reluctance to fight outside of his native Indonesia. Once again this fight is in his home town and John makes his 10th defence of his WBA title, his opponent very tough but limited Ugandan Jackson Asiku he has won his last 11 bouts but I feel that run is about to come to an end. John should always be a couple of steps ahead in this one and should win it on the cards. |
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Match: Giovanni Segura v Cesar Canchila |
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| Date: 26-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Light Flyweight |
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| Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Prediction: Segura mid round stoppage |
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| A decent fight on paper with undefeated Segura taking on Canchila who is currently 26-1, both men holding a decent knockout rate. Segura however has fought some decent names already, whereas Canchila’s record is mainly manufactured, I would be very surprised if Segura’s unbeaten record is in any trouble and he should get the stoppage in the mid rounds of the fight. |
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Match: Miguel Angel Cotto v Antonio Margarito |
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| Date: 26-07-2008 |
Title: WBA Welterweight Title
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| Weight: Welterweight |
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| Venue: MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Prediction: Miguel Cotto Points |
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| Billed as potentially the fight of the year, the styles of each fighter will suit perfectly for a classic, neither man will want to take a backwards step and both are tough. Cotto is the obvious favourite he has fought and won at a much higher level. Margarito is coming off two great wins over Golden Johnson and Kermit Cintron, but was out boxed in a close contest with Paul Williams almost a year ago to the day. Cotto is currently unbeaten in 32 fights, he also has an amazing work rate and a decent chin, he has been down before but seems to have almost superhuman recovery rates. I would be surprised is Margarito’s power worries him, and Margarito has never been stopped either so this fight is likely to go the distance. So then it will be down to the judges, for me Cotto will have just too much for Margarito and will get the win on the cards it could be a lot wider than many believe. |
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Match: Raul Martinez v Isidro Garcia |
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| Date: 25-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Super Flyweight |
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| Venue: Table Mountain Casino, Friant, California, United States |
| Prediction: Martinez Points win |
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| A big step up in class for unbeaten prospect Martinez who is currently 22-0, Garcia the former WBO flyweight champion has fought and won at a much higher level. Martinez is the fighter on the up and Garcia is definitely heading in the other direction despite winning 3 out his last 4. This is the test for Martinez to see if he is able to bridge the gap to the next level, so don’t rule out Garcia causing a big upset. |
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Match: Raymond Joval v James McGirt Jr |
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| Date: 25-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Middleweight |
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| Venue: City Center, Saratoga Springs, New York, United States |
| Prediction: McGirt Points |
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| What a tough fight to call, Joval is 39 years old and well past his prime, he has however competed at the top level and has never been stopped, only losing out to the likes of Fernando Vargas and Sam Soliman. McGirt Jr before his last fight was 18-0 and billed as a future super star, however after being knockout in his last fight things have fallen apart for him a little and a loss here could really end him. If Joval loses retirement could also be on the cards so this is a huge fight for both involved. McGirt may just have received the kick he needed to really dedicate himself and that may be enough to see him through here. |
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Match: Jesus Soto Karass v David Estrada |
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| Date: 25-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Welterweight |
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| Venue: Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
| Prediction: Estrada Points win |
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| Potentially a great fight, both men have similar records however Estrada has competed at a far higher level, sharing the ring with the likes of Andre Berto, Kermit Cintron and Shane Mosley, never disgracing himself. Karass on the other hand went through a bad patch in the middle of his career losing 3 fights in a row all to undefeated fighters. He has however turned things around and is undefeated in his last 11 fights winning his last 4 all against decent opponents. Karass is the favourite to win the fight but I personally think Estrada may snatch it on the cards.
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Match: Jeff Lacy v Epifanio Mendoza |
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| Date: 23-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Super Middleweight |
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| Venue: Morongo Casino Resort & Spa, Cabazon, California, United States |
| Prediction: Lacy mid round stoppage |
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| Lacy hasn’t looked the same since his 12 round beating from Joe Calzaghe, he has also had shoulder problems and problems with his weight, he is hoping to get back on track and challenge for a world title in the near future. This fight against Mendoza is a tune up fight for Lacy and he should be at no risk to lose it. He will hopefully get a few rounds under his belt before the stoppage comes, as he needs these for his future development. |
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Match: Rob Calloway v Max Alexander |
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| Date: 19-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Cruiserweight |
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| Venue: Civic Arena, Saint Joseph, Missouri, United States |
| Prediction: Calloway points win |
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| Alexander is talking a massive gamble stepping from Super Middleweight where he lost his last 2 fights right up to cruiserweight at 32lb increase. Calloway is not one of the greatest fighters around but he is capable and I think he is comfortable at the weight and has fought up in the heavyweight division. Max has the height but he will not be used to getting hit by a full blown cruiserweight and for me could be in trouble. Calloway may stop him but a points win is probably more likely, depends on how well Max has prepared. |
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Match: Alexander Povetkin v Taurus Sykes |
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| Date: 19-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Heavyweight |
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| Venue: Olimpyskiy Sports Palace, Chekhov, Russia |
| Prediction: Povetkin early to mid round stoppage |
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| This fight is being billed as no more than a fill in fight for Povetkin before he gets his shot against Klitschko for the world title, as he has already won an eliminator for the IBF title against Eddie Chambers. He should however not over look Sykes who although limited is a decent heavyweight. Povetkin is the 2004 Olympic champion and has been moved quickly through the ranks for a heavyweight who is 15-0 compared to many heavyweight with 20 to 30 fights undefeated. Good wins over Larry Donald, Chris Byrd and Eddie Chambers has boosted him up there with the top guys in the division. As long as Povetkin takes this fight seriously and trains hard he should get Sykes out of there in the earlier rounds, should he underestimate him he could be in for a tough nights work. |
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Match: Paul McCloskey v Nigel Wright |
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| Date: 19-07-2008 |
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| Weight: Light Welterweight |
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| Venue: University Arena, Limerick, Ireland |
| Prediction: McCloskey Points win |
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| Unbeaten prospect McCloskey faces his toughest test to date against tough former English champion Nigel Wright, Wright is coming off a defeat to WBC number 4 Ajose Olusegun in which he put up a brave performance and did himself no disgrace. This should be another good fight and it should go all the way, McCloskey is in his home town and if left to the judges he may get the edge if it is a close fight. Nevertheless it should be an interesting contest. |
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