This is a very light month for big fights. In fact, although many young prospects are fighting in February, the biggest fight was Mares-Gonzalez 2. In the wake of that cancellation, it seems not many important matchups are taking place. Some of this has to do with January and March being bigger than usual months, but the fights that are coming off in February deserve at least a bit of our attention.
Gennady Golovkin vs. Osumanu Adama
Yet another GGG mismatch has been scheduled, and until Golovkin can get Martinez, Sturm, or Quillin in the ring (all very unlikely scenarios) this will continue through no fault of his own. Daniel Geale, Andy Lee and Martin Murray may provide better tests at 160, but it looks like a move up in weight may be the only way GGG finds opponents who can beat him. Adama is tough, but little else, and Golovkin's last appearance in Monte Carlo let everyone know just how far "tough" gets you with him. GGG by 4th round KO.
Daniel Geale vs. Garth Wood
Geale is coming back, while Wood is still living off his KO win over Mundine. That took place two years ago, and Geale has beaten Mundine twice (even if he only got the decision once). Geale is also being mentioned as a future GGG opponent, and would probably style-wise give the Kazakh destroyer the toughest fight he's had yet. Wood should provide resistance, and a chin check, but those are tests Geale passes with no difficulty, especially when he is as motivated as he is now. Geale by wide UD.
Miguel Vasquez vs. Denis Shafikov
This fights makes the list simply because things keep getting interesting around Miguel Vasquez. Lightweight is the home of Ricky Burns and Terrence Crawford. It was recently, and may be again the home of Broner. It may soon be the home of Mikey Garcia. Vasquez keeps fighting on TV, but keeps disappointing each time. He is light-hitting, a skilled boxer, and iron-chinned. He's like Pernell Whittaker without the defensive brilliance. He deserves credit for winning and without question, but will it be enough against Shafikov? Fighting mostly out of Finland and Russia, Shafikov has continued his winning ways as he has stepped up, but even his higher level opponents are a distinct notch underneath Vasquez. He may lose some round for the first time, but he finds ways to control fights, and I don't see that ending here. Vasquez by UD.
JANUARY SPILLOVER
Victor Ortiz vs. Luis Collazo
Ortiz should be credited for taking on tough upset-proficient fighters. He is certainly never one to take the easy road. In his young career, he has always gone after the toughest assignments. Here it is again. Collazo is a high-risk low reward fight for anyone, yet this fight had to be made. The winner jumps right into the heat at 147 and 154 where major dollars are waiting for them. Each man was the only one-opponent step to that cash cow, as well. The only question is, whose awful luck will out-trump the other's. Given the bad breaks each man has had in the ring, a 1 round NC head clash seems to be in order. However, while I am predicting blood, I am also predicting the end of Victor Ortiz as a serious fighter. Collazo will shine in front of his hometown Brooklyn crowd, and win a late round TKO.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com