By Gav Duthie: The year of 2015 is off to a decent start and whilst we all patiently wait for the announcement of the Floyd Mayweather Jr v Manny Pacquiao there is plenty of action to keep us amused. Here are my top ten star fights for the month of March and for what its worth some predictions.
Prospects stepping it up
(1)
6 March, Las Vegas
Tony Harrison 19-0 (16) v Antwone Smith 23-5-1 (12)
Finally some exciting times for Detroit. Tony Harrison’s body shape, reach, style and power have him compared to the great Tommy Hearns. So far he is living up to the billing. He has stepped up for his last two fights against ex champ Bronko McKart and knockout artist Tyrone Brunson. He won both of these fights in the first round and he fights in Vegas in a couple of weeks. Jermall Charlo destroyed Smith in 2 rounds in 2013 and I expect Harrison to do the same.
Harrison KO rounds 1-3
(2)
5 March, Manukau, New Zealand
Joseph Parker 12-0 (10) v Jason Pettaway 17-1 (10)
I’m really excited about the HW division with guys like Joseph Parker and Anthony Joshua. I feel Parker is moving faster than AJ predominantly due to injuries. Pettaway’s only defeat is to Magomed Abdusalamov by ko. However this is no disgrace as Mago had knocked out all of his opponents prior to the unfortunate fight against Mike Perez. Parker has power but is a boxer first and this is another chance to showcase his skills.
Parker KO 7
(3)
26 March, Florida
Fredrick Lawson 23-0 (20) v Breidis Prescott 27-6 (20)
The undefeated Lawson is looking good but this is a decent step up. He has power but 2 of his last 3 have been by decision as he moves through the classes. Prescott has a poor 7-6 record since he beat Amir Khan. He is clearly not world level but could have a career as a good gatekeeper. Prescott can box and has power but is a bit one paced. Lawson will need a career best to beat him though.
Lawson UD 10
(4)
15 March, Yemen
Ali Raymi 24-0 (24) v Hani Ansi 18-0-1 (16)
So just who is the best boxer in Yemen I hear you ask? Okay so maybe not but at least knockout artist Ali Raymi has taken time out from his epic rivalry against Prince Maz (4 fights, 4 wins all by knockout) to face someone else. There seems to be far too many professionals in this country but Raymi and Ansi seem to be the best two. Having watched them both the 20 year old Ansi should have enough to finish 41 year old Raymi and maybe step into the real world of boxing.
Ansi UD 12
Tough Tests with something to prove
(1)
28 March, Sheffield
Kell Brook 33-0 (22) v Ionut Dan Ion 34-2 (18)
Kell Brook doesn’t have anything to prove in terms of ability but he does regarding his injury. It is important to understand how important the legs and in particular thigh muscles are to boxers. A lot of Brooks power is generated from how he plants his feet. He is a technical puncher rather than a devastating one. Jo Jo Dan has worked hard too get in this position with wins over Kevin Bizier in two separate eliminators. Brook should train like he is facing Mayweather because any complacency ruins his future plans and motivation has been a problem in the past.
Brook UD 12
(2)
7 March, Las Vegas
Adrien Broner 29-1 (22) v John Molina 27-5 (22)
This fight for me is more interesting to see how Broner copes with the size and strength of a proper 140lb fighter. Broner was a knockout artist at lightweight but he couldn’t cope with Maidana’s size and wasn’t particularly impressive against Maliggnaggi or Emmanuel Taylor either. Molina has lost his last two fights so the victor shouldn’t even be in question but how impressive Broner looks is.
Broner UD 10
(3)
14 March, Quebec
Vyacheslav Glazkov 19-0-1 (12) v Steve Cunningham 28-6 (13)
Glazkov should arguably have two losses to his name against Malik Scott (draw) and Derric Rossy (MD win). Cunningham is doing well at HW despite being a natural cruiserweight. He knocked down Tyson Fury before his loss and recently defeated unbeaten duo Amir Monsour and Natu Visinia. Cunningham has been on the wrong end of some poor decisions in the past but I’ve got a feeling for him this time.
Cunningham UD 12
5 Star Fights
(1)
18 April, California
Ruslan Provodnikov 24-3 (17) v Lucas Matthysse 36-3 (34)
This could be an all time classic. Neither man knows how to give up ground and will give their all in the ring. Both are extremely powerful but I am more intrigued by the Russians chin. No punches seem to affect him but Matthysse is probably the biggest puncher in boxing just now. It should be amazing as long as it lasts.
Matthyse KO 10
(2)
14 March, Quebec
Sergey Kovalev 26-0-1 (23) v Jean Pascal 29-2-1 (17)
We are all looking forward to the possibility of a Kovalev-Stevenson fight. The WBC are aiding this quest by making this fight against Pascal a final eliminator for Stevenson’s title. Kovalev can’t afford to look past Pascal though. His only defeats have came to Carl Froch and Bernard Hopkins and there is no shame in that. Even if Pascal does win this would set up a huge fight in Canada with compatriot Stevenson although the rest of the world probably prefers Kovalev. I think this will be a chess match as Pascal has a good chin.
Kovalev UD 12
(3)
7 March, Las Vegas
Keith Thurman 24-0 (21) v Robert Guerrero 32-2-1 (18)
I don’t see Keith ‘One Time’ Thurman as a prospect anymore but this is definitely his first world level fight. He has good ko wins over gatekeeper fighters Diego Chaves, Jesus Soto Karass and Leonard Bundu but Guerrero is different. Guerrero doesn’t have huge power at Welterweight but he is strong. He lives in the pocket and loves to bully his opponents so Thurman will need to box and brawl to come out on top but if he wins this a world title shot wouldn’t be far away.
Thurman UD 12
** Any other fights or predictions, feel free to share
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