By Liam Santiago: As many top competitive fights are about to commence and we have the final confirmation of some mega bouts, it is time for me to announce my predictions. Considering my last two were wrong I’m determined to strike gold on every one this time, however, if I am wrong I’m ready and prepared to take all the abuse you guys can throw at me.
I predicted Ricky Hatton to beat Pacquiao on points and was nearly as embarrassed as Hatton himself afterwards. Also, I predicted Jermaine Taylor to beat Carl Froch on points which was also completely wrong.
These are the fights I’m predicting:
Miguel Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao
Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Marquez
Timothy Bradley vs Nate Campbell
Junior Witter vs Devon Alexander
Juan Diaz vs Pauli Malignaggi
Mikkel Kessler vs Gusmyl Perdomo
Jeff Lacy vs Roy Jone Jnr
Arthur Abraham vs Jermaine Taylor
Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson
Nikolai Valuev vs David Haye
And dare I say it……. Matthew Hatton vs Zab Judah
These predictions have nothing to do with favourites.
Miguel Cotto vs Manny Pacquiao – Cotto on points. Cotto will be too big for Pacquiao. Yes, all boxing experts said this before the De La Hoya and Hatton fights but De La Hoya had really struggled making the weight. As for Hatton, Cotto won’t be wide open like he was. His chin is always tucked in. I see Manny really struggling here.
Floyd Mayweather vs Juan Marquez – Floyd Mayweather on points. I see the move up in weight being to big a jump for Marquez. However, he might deal with it ok, we won’t know until the night. Floyd’s skill and defence should be enough for him to win a close decision. However, if Marquez can drag Mayweather into a war ; it’s anyone’s fight.
Timothy Bradley vs Nate Campbell – Nate Campbell on points. Nate is a very under-rated boxer. He has great skills, a great chin and power and durability. The simple word to describe Campbell is warrior, and as readers on this site know, I do not use that word lightly. I see the fight being close but even at 37, I think Nate will edge it.
Junior Witter vs Devon Alexander – Junior Witter on points. Although Alexander is a very fast, talented fighter I think Witter has this one already. You can see it in his eyes. He knows winning here could lead to a bout with Khan and will do anything to win. I see Witter’s boxing ability and power overwhelming Alexander.
Juan Diaz vs Pauli Malignaggi – Malignaggi on points. This will be interesting. If Malignaggi can keep Diaz at range and box him, jab and move, jab and move, I see him taking a unanimous decision.
Mikkel Kessler vs Gusmyl Perdomo – Kessler by KO. I see this being an early, easy night for Kessler. His power, chin and boxing ability will prove far too much for Perdomo.
Jeff Lacy vs Roy Jone Jnr – Roy Jones Jnr on points. I can see this being an easy night for Jones. If he stands back and boxes Lacy in a similar style to the way Calzaghe did he will win easy. In fact I don’t give Lacy a chance at all.
Arthur Abraham vs Jermaine Taylor – Arthur Abraham by KO. I predict a late KO for Abraham. Similar to what happened in the Froch fight. Taylor will begin to tire towards the end of the bout and Abraham will be using him as a punchbag. The big problem for Taylor is still his stamina.
Chad Dawson vs Glen Johnson – Dawson on points. Do I even need to bother predicting this one. We’ve seen it all before. It will most likely be a boring, drawn out fight. Dawson will do exactly what he did in their first fight.
Nikolai Valuev vs David Haye – Valuev by KO. This one is interesting. The bookies have Haye as a huge favourite but if we look at the facts is Valuev going to be that easy to beat. Haye must be 8 or 9 inches smaller and a lot lighter in weight. Will Haye even reach his head? Yes, ok, Valuev might be a slow mover, but that size advantage can work in a positive way for big Val rather than a negative way. I see this as a very bad move by the Haye camp. If you doubt me, take a look at Valuev’s record.
Matthew Hatton vs Zab Judah – Judah on points. Hatton will absorb Zab’s punches. That is all he will manage to do. He will stand in front of Zab all night and let him pound his head. Matt needs to learn to use his feet and move instead of standing in front of an opponent swallowing punches. I don’t like saying this but Hatton doesn’t stand a chance.
Please post comments with your own views on the outcome of these fights.
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