Kell Brook vs. JoJo Dan
Dan has two close wins over Kevin Bizier in the latter's hometown. Going to the UK will not bother him. He also has two losses to Selcuk Aydin in Turkey, that every sane un-purchased judge thought he won. So, not only is he battle tested as a visitor, but he knows how to fight against hometown judging, and may very well be undefeated. The real question mark here is Brook's state of mind. He was lucky to be alive after a machete attack in Spain, so his mind may not all be on fighting. There is also no telling how well he will come back from that. Blood loss stresses organs, which could affect overall conditioning. Dan seems to never get tired in the ring. I am actually going to pick the upset here, even though I think overall that Brook is the better fighter. Dan by close MD, as timing is everything.
Andre Berto vs. Josesito Lopez
This fight isn;t one that should matter much, as even the winner is pretty much guaranteed to fail at his next opportunity. Berto is the welterweight ray mercer. he seems to be the gatekeeper to big shots, but canot quite get there himself. His losses have all come in very entertaining fights however, and Lopez makes for very entertaining fights. Hell even Victor Ortiz stayed in the game against these two. This has fight of the year written all over it, and a big money loss for the winner. the loser, is pretty much done at the higher levels, but witha greta audience wathcing, it is a perfect matchup. Berto can do more things, but he usually loses to warriors like Lopez. He won't here, though. Berto by late TKO, after a war.
ShawnPorter vs. Roberto Garcia
Garcia hasn't lost since he was dominated by an aging Antonio Margarito 5 years ago, but that should give us a measuring stick for Porter's comeback. garcia has also never been stopped, and Porter's strenght would seem not to deter the Mexican. he is coming off of two good wins over cayo and Prescott, but Porter is a different level. Porter won't try any tricks, but he is a Provodnikov type of fighter in that even if yhou beat him, you'll go through hell to do it. Garcia doesn't win when he goes through hell. I think we'll see a repeat of the Margarito fight, but with a more merciful corner. Porter by late corner retirement, TKO.
Tommy Oosthuizen vs. Ryno Liebenberg
This fight is making the list, not just because two top 15 light heavyweights are getting it on, but because it is a case of a country two best contenders facing each other. That happens to rarely in the UK and USA, that when South African promoters actually made this fight, I had to read it twice. Both men have recent disappointing performances to add to their motivation. With Liebenberg suffering his first defeat, and Oosthuizen looking bad against Brandon Gonzales, preceding a layoff. Style-wise it is a clearer one to pick. Oosthuizen is just too good a counte-rpuncher, and Ryno will fall for it every time. Tommy Gun by UD.
MARCH BOXING PREDICTIONS PART 1
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com