Tavoris Cloud vs. Jean Pascal
This fight should not be a big deal. Pascal snuck in a victory over Chad Dawson, and then looked befuddled twice against Bernard Hopkins. He has good talent, and heart, but ring intelligence is not coming along like people hoped. He won't need it against Cloud. Cloud was exposed in his loss (a Don King special delivery victory) over Gabriel Campillo. Cover up and counter is the way for fighters to beat Cloud now, and we all know it. Very few do it as well as Campillo, but Pascal has the tools. Add to that Tavoris knows he lost the last time out, so even though he is technically unbeaten, he is unsure of himself... especially of his ability to finish a hurt fighter. This was the Don King cash-out fight, being held in Canada, that he was waiting for. I do not believe the judges will not be as kind this time. Cloud's work-rate is impresssive, but I give Pascal 5 rounds before he figures it out, and sweeps the rest of the fight. Pascal by 8-4 UD.
Gennady Golovkin vs. Dmitry Pirog
Finally! These two are fighting, as are Geale and Sturm. Ok, it won't be on our shores, because Sturm will never give away his corruption advantage... but Geale has overcome that Germany jinx before. That fight will be held the next week, and if those two winners face each other, Martinez has a decent foe on the horizon after dispatching Chavez Jr. For Pirog, the bloom is off the rose. He fights awkwardly, and that surprised Danny Jacobs, but he is quickly becoming the Mayorga of this decade. I think Golovkin will finally expose him, although the awkwardness will allow it to go the full 12. Golovkin by wide unanimous decision.
Mia St. John vs. Christy Martin
I know, I know... why include this fight? It's a slow month, so here goes: It's a good comeback story.. especially for Martin, who is proving that even female boxers can stick around too long. She's over the hill, and coming off a stabbing and shooting injury at the hands of her ex-husband, but just to see a boxerette not run for the hills when solid competition gets too close (a la Laila Ali, Lucia Rijker, Ann Wolfe, etc) is admirable. Same with St. John, who I would have incorrectly predicted would be retired long ago. Nostalgia will earn these female boxing pioneers a payday, and I am going to pick the upset. St. John won't have as much to be intimidated by this time, and I think Martin has gone to the well one time too many. St. John by unanimous decision.
Robert Stieglitz vs. Arthur Abraham
This fight is not even for the right to call one-self a top 5 super middleweight. Both Abraham and Stieglitz have routinely failed at the higher levels, and probably never wish to see North American soil again. However, this fight will generate money, and trade a useless belt. It should also be made more intgeresting by both men's weaknesses. Abraham can be outboxed, while Stieglitz does not have a great chin. I think anyone can write the appropriate ending here. If Abraham uses the jab, and doesn't just walk in behind a defense, he can end this fight early. If not, he'll still end it late. My prediction is that you don't teach an old dog new tricks, and Stieglitz will build a slight points lead, but be KO'd by round 9. Abraham will actually be able to call himself a two-division "champion", but the rest of us will be holding in our laughter.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com