I have a great exit strategy for the the Klitschkos. First, Vitali vs. Haye, and Wladimir vs. Adamek. This seems to be the opposite of what will likely happen, but it makes more sense. Wlad has a better chin than people think, but it is Haye’s best shot at a victory. Vitali does not offer similar hope. While Adamek has not brought his power up to heavyweight, and will likely not threaten Wladimir’s boxing ability. Second, they should tackle to the two unbeaten Russians: Povetkin and Boystov, neither of whom stand much of a chance against them. That should be a stadium fight in Kiev . A hometown show gives them not only a great farewell, but it's great PR for Vitali's political aspirations, and gives Wladimir a chance to erase bad hometown memories from the Ross Purrity fight. Once that is done, there will literally be no one else viable whom they have not already beaten.
Speaking of heading for the exits… Am I the only one that does not think the April 9 PPV card is not going to be that competitive? Robert Guerrero has the strength and power to overwhelm and finish Katsidis early. The Australian does not have a style that lends itself to longevity in boxing, and Guerrero gets physically stronger each fight. Morales is still a shell of his former self, and while Maidana is not tops in skill department, he is a relatively solid chinned power-puncher, with good stamina. He also keeps coming forward, and if you are not blessed with top notch skills, you’re in trouble. Morales was blessed once, but they are gone now. This will look like Camacho vs. Leonard… a sad end.
Speaking of sad ends, I am predicting a similar futility with Segura vs. Calderon 2. While “Iron Boy” could pull off a Willie Pep-style ‘last hurrah’, Segura is too strong, big, and powerful to make that a likely prediction. Odds are better that this time, it gets waved off a bit sooner.
Speaking of ‘waved off sooner’, did anyone see Russell Mora stop the Yudel Johnson – Richard Gutierrez fight for absolutely no reason? I’ve heard of early stoppages, but a stoppage when one fighter wasn’t even the slightest bit hurt. Gutierrez barely staggered from a temple shot, and then was defending himself well, when Mora suddenly jumped in. Mora’s decision was made to appear even more ridiculous when a fully cognicent Gutierrez began firing punches around Mora’s inappropriately waving arms. Did Mora realize his error, and allow the fight to continue? No, of course not. Ego overrode intelligence, as it typically does in that situation, and Gutierrez was robbed of the right to do his job.
Speaking of officials on last Friday’s ESPN2 Vegas card, kudos to the judges for not favoring the house fighter. Erislandy Lara did well to get back into the fight, and pull even, but given Carlos Molina’s history of being screwed (he beat JC Chavez Jr. twice) while in the opponent role, i was expecting a win for Lara. The Cuban star need not worry, however. Lately the 'draw' has been the means of getting big fights (Mosley, Ortiz), so this shouldn’t slow down Lara’s momentum.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
