
July is not usually a hot month, for the reason that it is a hot month. Summertime activities in much of the USA has people outside until late hours when fights would normally be started. however, in 2016, we feel fight fans will be headed indoors to watch many great action match-ups. Many of them are mid day, as they are being held at European venues. Sounds like a great summer weekend to me. I like this new approach, in fact, I like that one of these big fights is not even taking place on a weekend. I would love to see the return of midweek championship boxing.
Tyson Fury vs. Wladimir Klitschko 2
There is not much to be said here. Anything could happen, and it would not be really much of a surprise. There are just too many what-ifs. If Klitschko was indeed shot, then Fury will dominate again, maybe in even more dull fashion. If Fury is indeed unmotivated, as he claims, perhaps he will be blown out in a couple of rounds. However, given his youth, and the potential domestic showdowns of Haye and Joshua looming, as well as unifications with men like Ortiz and Wilder... he has plenty of time to "lose on purpose" as he in insinuating. Klitschko is probably not going to start taking more chances at age 40... and barring a lucky punch, I think he is headed for an even more one sided decision loss.
Sergey Kovalev vs. Isaac Chilemba
Monday night HBO? I love it, but it's probably an issue of how little they think of this fight. Chilemba is tough and durable, but this fight is only happening, so that Kovalev does not gain any rust while waiting for Andre Ward to shake his off. Unless he pulls off the performance of his life, I think we are looking at another Cedric Agnew like result... where we get rounds, but little else. Kovalev by 6th round KO.
Deontay Wilder vs. Chris Arreola
This fight was inevitable, as PBC cards were featuring both Arreola and Wilder. As bad as Arreola has been looking lately (draw, and close decisions wins over journeyman, that should've been losses), this is his last hurrah. Depending on WBC decision over Povetkin, Wilder may even get to unify before facing one mandatory, but he will have given us action KOs in the interim. Arreola has better offense than Wilder's recent victims, but his chin and defense are not good enough anymore to avoid Wilder's bombs. His only chance is to strike first, and catch Wilder cold. I think the only winner there is Deontay.. and the fans. Wilder by exciting 3rd round KO.
Daniel Jacobs vs. Sergio Mora 2
While nobody was asking for this rematch, it is a fight where both men hit the canvas in only 2 rounds of action, the first time out. Mora lost on a broken ankle, so it "justified" a second chance. Jacobs is riding high since then, after the Quillin KO, and Mora keeps getting big fights whether he earns them or not. The prize for the winner is a KO loss to GGG, most likely, so a win here will at least get them paid. Mora rises to the occasion in his bigger fights, but Jacobs just has too much. Jacobs by decision or late TKO.
Guillermo Rigondeaux vs. Jazza Dickens
Rigo finally has his UK visa, and while I think he should be dropping down, and raising up divisions, to collect belts from the two Lees, Haskins and Selby, this may be the first start in that direction. There is also Jamie McDonald, and Frampton, should he come back to 122 with his tail between his legs after losing to Santa Cruz. The UK is the right place for him, if he stays busy, but I'm not sure Jazza Dickens in the right guy to tell us anything new. Rigo by wide UD, or late TKO.
Adonis Stevenson vs. Thomas Williams
'Top Dog" Williams is coming off a great KO win on a night of great KO wins in Carson, but hHaymon is protecting few men as blatantly as he is protecting Stevenson. Williams himself was hurt in his last fight, and was once KOd by light hitting Gabriel Campillo. Not that Stevenson has the greatest chin, but the skills are in a different league. Adonis and Haymon can't avoid fellow Montrealer Eleider Alvarez forever, but it looks like they are going to try. Stevenson by early spectacular KO, in an exciting fight, but a complete waste of time. Bring on Alvarez and Beterbiev.
Leo Santa Cruz vs. Carl Frampton
Frampton's intelligence and quickness have won him a lot of fights, but just ask any Santa Cruz opponent how far those things take you. Leo pressures and is an immovable force. he also does it with intelligent pressure, and beats journeyman and world champions alike with the same determination and exhausting in-your-face pressure. He can even outbox you, but I doubt he will try that against Frampton. A KO is a possibility, as Santa Cruz has gotten stronger as he has moved up, but more than likely Frampton will win a few early rounds, and then lose the rest, while surviving. Santa Cruz by UD.
Terence Crawford vs. Viktor Postol
The first major unification in a long time that promoters did not stall us on. Each man seemingly just won their belts, and now they are crowning a new Ring champion at 140. Each man is also risking their unbeaten records and Top Rank's expectations. However, Bob Arum is even greedier than Haymon about keeping it all in house, therefore this was really his only option than the fans would accept. Postol is poison for most styles, but nothing he does will bother Bud Crawford. The right hand counter will just have Crawford turn orthodox. The tendency to get stronger as the fight goes on, is something they both share. They even possess the same sturdy chin, but Crawford hits harder, and unlike Matthysse, hits often. Crawford by UD.