This summer is being largely passed over in favor of bigger money fights in the fall, however, the entertaining scraps may actually take place during this supposed down-time. Not to mention the winners are poised to join the fray of money-making battles in the fall. For every big name like Pacquiao and Khan that are waiting until late, there is someone like Berto and Molina, trying to remind us they are still there.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat
Murat is basically a typical 175lb-er these days... comes straight forward, stands straight up, nothing fancy. He is the perfect foil to make Bernard Hopkins look like he still has it. Murat will open strong, but the old master will dominate from then on out... even if he has lost a step. Hopkins by wide UD.
David Price vs. Tony Thompson 2
In the same fashion that Golden Boy is trying to rebound Seth Mitchell by an immediate rematch with a man who KO'd him in round 2, the same is being attempted with Price. It never works. Just ask Lennox Lewis. In fact, the more dominant one is post-shocking loss, the more that loss stands out in retrospect. Like Lewis, Price seems to have lost to a questionable stoppage and a balance issue. Unlike Lewis, Price doesn't not have to overcome an insane person to get revenge. Thompson is crafty enough to put fear in Price, and make him box cautiously, but will eventually be worn down. Price by late round TKO.
Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto-Karass
Soto-Karass is being brought in to do what he does, lose in an exciting bout. Berto is due a win in an entertaining fight. He typically wins in dominant fashion, or loses an exciting brawl. Luis Collazo is one noteworthy exception, but Berto is due a brawl that he will win, hence this match-up. Not sure if it'll net him any big paydays, but this fight will do for Berto what Zaveck did for him a year and a half before. Berto by late round TKO.
Carlos Molina vs. Ishe Smith
Not that I think this fight stands to be a thriller, but the winner is in an amazing position. Ishe Smith has already been a marvelous comeback story, and if he were to win his first title defense, at home, and sneak into a fight with a big money name at 154lbs, it would be even bigger. If Molina, however, overcomes all the screw-job decisions he has lost, to win a world title in his opponents backyard, he is now holding cards for a big fight with a post Floyd Canelo or Austin Trout. Perhaps the winner gets Miguel Cotto. Either way, it's great news. As for the fight itself, I think Smith may be the one style that is not thrown by what Molina does. Smith is perfectly comfortable in awkward fights, but doesn't always move his hands enough. It is a bizarre pick, but believe it or not, I am calling a draw here. It just seems like one of those fights.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com