Danny Garcia vs. Paulie Malignaggi
This fight is not doing much to make Brooklyn fans continue to support Garcia, both because he is fighting a BK native, and because Malignaggi is a light-hitting fighter whose best days appear to be behind him. However, this fight is actually happening for one reason and one reason only, to see if Garcia looked bad in the last year because of weight, or opposition. He is largely a hype job, yet the way he continued to hurt Khan, and outbox Matthysse was impressive.
He does nothing at lower than B level meaning wins over him will always be difficult. If Malignaggi was in the ring with Garcia instead of Peterson, this March, Paulie easily wins that fight. Lamont was trying something, at which Paulie has mastered. However, Haymon does not make this fight unless Garcia is sure to win it, so I think we are going to see a non-drained, pressure-fighting Garcia, who eventually pounds an aging Malignaggi into submission... probably by round 10.
Daniel Jacobs vs. Sergio Mora
Danny Jacobs and Peter Quillin seem to be continuing their "everyone else except each other, no matter how much sense it makes" tour. Quillin at least took on Lee, while Jacobs level of opposition has only leveled off at mediocre status. Mora still has some boxing skills, and his wins and losses almost always seem to be close struggles, but unless Jacobs goes very wild, the pressure will get to him. Jacobs by late TKO or decision.
Steve Cunningham vs. Antonio Tarver
Neither one of these men should be heavyweights, but in a wide open division, the winner could get a shot at Deontay Wilder.. who apparently does not have to fulfill his mandatory against Povetkin until next year. Cunningham and Tarver each have not exactly been favorites of judges, but Tarver has brought his power up, while Cunningham never had much to bring up anyway. Cunningham is an inspirational story, but I think he should be back at cruiser, and back in Germany, making big money to get robbed against lesser fighters. Tarver by decision or late TKO.Leo
Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares
This is finally happening, and I must say I am a bit surprised. Haymon, however, will risk fighters who have lost once, and his unbeaten fighters, well.... only if an even scarier proposition awaits (Lomachenko, Walters, etc). Mares is too big a question-mark to accurately predict, but I think a pressure fighter like Santa Cruz will be too much at this stage. Leo is not a puncher, though, so Mares should be able to last, and hold his own. Santa Cruz by exciting UD, after a slower start.
Ricardo Mayorga vs. Shane Mosley
Who cares? Neither man is relevant today, and has not been in quite some time. Mayorga will be fresher, however, and has a style that does not depend on reflexes. Mosley is a much better fighter overall, but as he showed against B-level fighter Mundine, he has nothing left. Mayorga will likely do what he did against Vargas, and box smart in order to let the old man self-destruct. Mayorga by late TKO, probably on corner retirement.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
