APRIL PREDICTIONS, Vol. 1

March 2010

boxing_image Ok, a lot of good fights next month, so let's dive right in:

Bernard Hopkins vs. Roy Jones
Yes, it is years too late, but these two have done enough in their careers to warrant our mentioning it. It will not, as the two keep saying, be entertaining. It will be interesting at best. I see both fighters defensiveness causing huge lapses of action. The main differnece, is that Jones has a weak chin. Hopkins has a great one. That will cause Roy's lapses to be considerably longer, especially after Bernards defense nullifies his speed. Hopkins by unanimous decision. That will finally end Jones career, and force Hopkins to take a real fight again, or do the same.

Kelly Pavlik vs. Sergio Martinez
I know many will pick Martinez here, based on the hype machine loving him, as well as vilifying Pavlik's choice of recent opponents. However, I believe Loew and Arum know something here. Martinez has been stopped and dropped by lighter hitting fighters (barely) than Pavlik, and while he may not look good doing it, I believe Pavlik will eventually catch Martinez. He hasn't lost a round since Hopkins, when he didn't win one... and that trend will end here. Pavlik will need all his tools to catch the Argentine champion, but if you thought Martinez was a bit underpowered against Williams, whom he caught clean repeatedly, look out! Pavlik by TKO, somewhere in the later rounds.

Lucien Bute vs. Edison Miranda
Miranda does not deserve this title shot... pure and simple. He has been KO'd and dominated in both of his meaningful fights at 168. Where is Sakio Bika? He deserves a rematch against Bute. The Colombian has had a hard life, and maybe he deserves the payday for karmic reasons, but this fight will finish him as a contender. Bute is peaking, and biding his time waiting on the Super Six to culminate. Bute by middle round stoppage, after dominating every minute of every round.

Mikkel Kessler vs. Carl Froch
This is a pick 'em only because both men looked so unimpressive in their last outings, and now we don't know what to expect. That could be because they faced very fast, awkward fighters in the two Andres, or it could be because limitations were exposed. It's not a coincidence that Kessler has suffered his two losses against the two fastest fighters he's fought, but that will not come into play here. Froch is a walking bag of great tools, but he will not be able to adjust when matched against Kessler's strength. Plus, if he fights dirty in the Dane's backyard, it will be him losing points this time. Kessler by unanimous decision.

Andre Ward vs. Allan Green
Green doesn't have an easy assignment, no matter who he takes on, but he does have the tools to compete. He will not, however, be able to shine right out of the gate. Barring a lucky punch, which Green has the power to deliver, he will likely be befuddled by Ward's speed all night. He has also not shown the greatest chin, and that could come into play as well. It's up to Ward as to how much risk he wants to take, but either way, he is the winner. Ward by a wide unanimous decision, or late round stoppage.

Volume two coming soon.

Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com