Shawn Porter vs. Paul Malignaggi
One of the few boxing (not slugging) matches that I am really looking forward to. Styles make fights, and while Porter had the right style for slower men like Diaz, and southpaws like Alexander, can he find a way to win, when he does not have the speed edge? Will Malignaggi be able to adjust if Porter is boxing well early? Will this fight even come off, given the fast turnaround required for mandatory Kell Brook? I think it will happen (barring injury), and I look for Malignaggi to win a close MD in a boxing match that opens up late.
Peter Quillin vs. Lucas Koneczy
When everyone is already talking Quillin vs. Jacobs, it lets you know just how little we expect from Koneczy. Quillin has been spoon fed the lower rungs of the middleweight division (and even fringe contenders at junior middle) throughout his brief title reign at 160, but that is not exactly his fault. Golden Boy has very little to offer at 160, besides fellow Brooklynite Jacobs. Basically, they had to kill time without threatening him too much, while Jacobs rebuilt after his comeback. Koneczy is another safe task. Quillin by late round TKO, after winning every round.
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alex Leapai
Klitschko actually has real contenders to his throne now: Wilder, Stiverne, the winner of Fury-Chisora, etc. He may have to wait for them to eliminate each other, but these mandatories against men like Leapai (who rightly earned a ranking with his win over overrated Boystov) and Pulev may take him a year or more to get through. His zest for fighting clearly over, the younger Klitschko should follow his brother into retirement after besting Leapai, and the winner of Stiverne and Arreola. He is 3 Olympic classes past Wilder and Fury. No one should blame him if he skips those two.
Anthony Mundine vs. Joshua Clottey
Ok, why is this fight happening? Because American fighters who are having trouble selling tickets here have been taking Australian retirements lately. Because Mundine, who would be a decent number 10 contender at best in the USA, is a two sport star in his native land. Clottey has been completely silent since his loss to Pacquiao, and he was fairly silent during it. He is the perfect foil to guarantee 12 rounds of defensive shopworn boxing. Mundine by UD, in a moneymaking fight no one else cares about.
APRIL 2014 BOXING PREDICTIONS Part 1
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
