Mike Alvarado vs. Ruslan Providnikov
After engaging in nothing but exciting fights, these two are almost guaranteed to give us a slugfest. However, it only behooves one of them to hope for that. Provodnikov only knows one way to fight. Alvarado has different speeds. The Russian also has a better chin, meaning that Alvarado should try and make it a boxing match. He already has the support of the Denver crowd, so he does need to impress them, but there are enough holes in his boxing game to guarantee some great brawling moments. Much as with the Bradley fight, Ruslan will also lose most of the lull times between those brawling moments, resulting in an exciting but clear cut decision win for Alvarado.
Bernard Hopkins vs. Karo Murat
Bernard Hopkins has a history of following up a legendary win, with a poor business decision. He defeated Trinidad, then fulfilled a couple of mandatories, with a 14-month gap in activity. He defeated Kelly Pavlik then took more than a year off. He beat Pascal, then instead of retiring on top, he fought Chad Dawson in a high-risk, low reward match. Here it is again, after beating Tavoris Cloud, he is not dropping down to 168 lbs for a big money fight with Ward, or moving up to make more history. He is facing a useless mandatory where he has nothing to gain, and all to lose. Murat is nothing special, but doesn't fight in the robotic way that would make Hopkins' night easy. This is not a slam dunk for Bernard, and I feel he is headed for a very unimpressive 7-5 decision win.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Timothy Bradley
After analyzing this further, I am changing my prediction. The more I think about it, Bradley's will to win is finally not going to be enough. I believe he will never be the same after the Provodnikov fight, and Marquez will not be threatened by power the way he was with Pacquiao. Therefore, Marquez will be able to assert more aggression, while walking down his prey and slowly breaking him down. Add the newfound power of the Mexican, and you have an uphill climb for Bradley. Heart will take him late, but someone will save him from himself... probably around round 10.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com