By Jim Amato: There are seven fights that have been scheduled from now to the end of the year that have captured my attention. How will they turn out ?
September 27th – Shane Mosley -vs- Ricardo Mayorga
The wild man Mayorga must be given a puncher’s chance. Although Shane isn’t what he used to be he is still a major player. Mayorga again has stepped out of his league. Trinidad and De La Hoya beat his ass. Shane will do the same.
October 4th – Arthur Abraham -vs- Raul Marquez
I like Raul but he is in way too deep in this one. This fight will be an Abraham showcase in the build up to a fight with Kelly Pavlik. Abraham by KO.
October 11th – Sam Peter -vs- Vitali Klitschko
This is the ONLY heavyweight fight that interests me right now. Too bad it didn’t happen a few years ago. Then I would have favored Vitali. Now…If Vitali wins it will have to be early. Peter can punch but he is wide open and he can be hurt. Jameel McCline had him all but out. The longer the fight goes, the better I like Peter’s chances.
October 11th – Chad Dawson -vs- Antonio Tarver
Tarver won’t pressure Dawson like Glen Johnson did. Also Dawson won’t let Tarver dictate the pace like Antonio did against Clinton Woods. Interesting fight but I look for Dawson to pull it out. Then Chad should do the right thing and fight Glen Johnson again.
October 18th – Kelly Pavlik -vs- Bernard Hopkins
I really do believe this will be a very tough fight for Kelly for about six or seven rounds. Then as Bernard fades, Kelly will come on like gangbusters. Will Kelly KO Hopkins ? Hard to say. Give Bernard his due. He has a great chin and he is a survivor. Still I feel Pavlik will get to him late in the fight and retire Bernard. Next up, Arthur Abraham.
November 15th – Jermain Taylor -vs- Jeff Lacy
I was once very high on the career of Jeff Lacy. His near defeat by Omar Shieka and his shutout loss to Joe Calzaghe had me jumping off the bandwagon. Where did it all go wrong ? It seemed like Jeff reached a certain plateau and stopped improving. I don’t care if Taylor lost to Pavlik twice. He put up a spirited effort both times. He is far from finished. I look for Taylor to dominate this contest.
November 22nd – Ricky Hatton -vs- Paulie Malinaggi
Good match up. If Paulie’s hands hold up this could be a whale of a fight. Paulie showed his guts in his loss to Cotto. There is no dog in this young man. Hatton is a tough, strong and relentless fighter. There should be some tremendous exchanges in this contest. I look for Hatton to impose his will and get the better of Malinaggi. Too bad we never saw Hatton – Cotto at 140.
For the record the eighth fight would be Oscar De La Hoya -vs- Manny Pacquaio
The loser in this fight will be the fans…