Gennady Golovkin vs. Marco Antonio Rubio
In a fight dubbed "Mexican style", a not so subtle attempt to get GGG the Mexican fans, it is ironic who has become the foil. Rubio, an actual Mexican, has been near the top of the rankings for years, for only that reason. The WBC is Mexican, so is he.. period. He has both won and lost explosive early KO's, close fights, and long sustained beatings. he has also had a long career, and is nearing the end. This is a nice cash out fight for Rubio, should he be intelligent enough to see the writing on the wall, but this match does nothing for GGG but increase the legend, and kill time. 2015 has to be his year. Fights with Cotto, Canelo, or the winner of Jacobs-Quillin loom for him. maybe even a jump to 168 for Andre Ward, if Ward ever fights again. This is the last gimme he is allowed by the boxing fans and writers. I hope he enjoys it, because we always do. Maybe Rubio's guile and experience gets him out of the first round.. but in no way does a bell ring to end round 2. GGG by brutal, one-sided KO, inside of 5 minutes.
Nicolas Walters vs. Nonito Donaire
I don't think I have ever picked against Nonito Donaire, since the first Darchinyan fight. He is an iron-chinned power puncher. Those guys don't even need craft to be fairly successful. They are in every fight. However, Donaire actually does have skills, and at his peak, the 5 division belt holder was unstoppable. He has held every sanctioning body strap, has been unified in 2 of the divisions he fought in, and has scored highlight reel KO against other top fighters. However, it appears the Jamaican is for real. Walters is still a question mark, but this is the type of fight where he who was never dropped gets dropped, and may, for the first time, find his power handled somehow. A Donaire KO is never surprising, but I am picking Walters by UD or late TKO on cuts.
Martin Murray vs. Domenico Spada
This is only a big deal because these two are ranked very high by the alphabet soup organizations, and they may be considered a safe defense for a GGG or Cotto type, or a first fight for Canelo, should he move to Middleweight and not tackle Cotto immediately. In fact, Murray is one of the few who experts would pick to go rounds with GGG, even if he won't win any of them. Murray had a draw and close loss with Sturm and Martinez. Fights that, as time has unfolded, are looking less and less impressive. Spada, however, has nothing to offer at this level, and should go quietly. Murray is not a puncher, but should dominate, and win a wide decision.
OCTOBER 2014 BOXING PREDICTIONS - PART 2
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
