David Haye vs. John Ruiz
It’s difficult to say what is going to happen here, because Ruiz has not seemed to be losing a step in his ability to maul, mug, and make fights ugly. That is also a tiring fight to manage, and Haye has had stamina issues in the past. Ruiz has underrated power, but his own style will likely stifle any chance he would have to follow up on hurting Haye. This fight actually boils down to the “Hayemaker’s” intangibles. He has the size and speed to befuddle Ruiz, who has always had trouble with smaller fighters. His ability to go 12 full rounds with Valuev, an often exhausting task, should mean his stamina problems are behind him. And unlike Jones and Toney, whose offensive abilities foiled Ruiz, Haye is a big puncher, and may even Garner some distance and respect from “The Quiet Man”. Barring a corner retirement, however, Ruiz should make it to the final bell. Haye by unanimous decision.
Tavoris Cloud vs. Glen Johnson
Given that whenever it seems Glen Johnson is done, he turns in a great performance against a lower level contender, this could be interesting. This is the fight that will let all of us know if Cloud is a top 5, or top 10, fighter. The former beat Johnson… the latter lose to him. Cloud, however, has the right mixture of tools to defeat ‘The Road Warrior”, who will actually be fighting closer to home than Cloud. He is an offensive powerhouse, who showed no stamina deficiencies in going 12 with Clinton Woods. Johnson, like Woods, will have his moments, but Cloud’s offensive spurts will put Johnson into a defensive shell for most of the night. Cloud by unanimous decision.
Andre Berto vs. Carlos Quintana
Expect the same thing you saw with Luis Collazo… the only difference being Quintana’s questionable chin. Quintana is a big enough puncher to keep Berto looking honestly for the openings, but not to really put any hurt on the champion. Plus, with this much money to be made, and his ailing homeland watching him, Berto will be motivated. Quintana eventually gets caught by the better fighters he faces, even if it took Paul Williams 13 rounds to do it. It will only take Berto seven or eight.
Chris Arreola vs. Tomasz Adamek
I don’t think too many true boxing fans will be missing this one, and this is one that can bring mainstream fans back into boxing. It should be on network television during the day. That is how much of a throwback these two are. They are both action fighters, with good schooling, from long amateur backgrounds. I like the way Adamek is taking on the bigger heavyweights right out of the gate. He is not attempting to weed out the smaller guys, and cheat his way into a title shot. This fight is clearly happening since Arreola and Adamek both have popularity that will survive either one losing, but there is a big difference here that will point to the winner. Adamek was never a devastating puncher at light heavyweight or cruiserweight. He is merely a good B+/A- in all categories, and he is facing an A in chin, power, and strength. Only if Adamek stays even on the cards, and drags it into the later rounds does he have a chance. However, for all his weight issues, Arreola has never appeared winded, even after taking a long, sustained beating from Vitali Klitschko. For as long as Adamek can last, Arreola can punch. Unlike Cunningham, who was able to rock Adamek on occasion, Golota was never able to catch him, and Estrada is not a puncher. Arreola throws hard, and throws a lot, and finishes the fighters he has hurt. That will happen at some point, mark my words. Between round one and round twelve, I have no idea when, but Arreola by KO, after a great fight.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
