By Paul McCreath – This coming weekend will see more than the usual amount of heavyweight action among the name fighters and hopefuls. We will have to hope that all these bouts actually take place. Lately there has been a real epidemic of cancelled bouts among the big boys. Last weekend alone there were 7 separate fights involving either rated fighters or prospects that were originally scheduled but failed to materialize. Two others went ahead but with a last minute substitute filling in. The weekend before 5 of the 6 originally slated bouts were called off. This has to be bad for boxing and you have to wonder if the general poor condition of most heavyweights between fights might have a lot to do with it. At any rate here is what we hope to see this weekend and our opinion as to who will win..
Friday Dec. 11- San Juan Puerto Rico- Fres Oquendo vs Franklin Lawrence
Fres is a veteran fringe contender while Lawrence is a newer face with some promise. In his last fight in August Lawrence held old pro contender Oliver McCall to a close disputed decision. His only other loss in a 12-2-2 record came on injury against young Canadian slugger Bermane Stiverne. Franklin hurt his arm throwing a punch in the first round and had to withdraw. This one is a tossup but since Fres is fighting at home he will probably win a close decision.
Also on the same card is former Puerto Rican Olympian Victor Bisbal a 15-1 fighter who will meet and likely defeat TBA.
Dec. 11- Sacramento- Oleg Maskaev vs Nagy Aguillera
Oleg is a veteran former champ who is aging but still dangerous. Nagy is a 23 year old youngster who was a pretty good amateur and brings a 14-2 record as a pro. He is taking a big step up and will be lucky to last the distance. Oleg gets an eliminator with Ray Austin if he wins and that winner gets a title shot against Vitali Klitschko if he still has his title by then.
Dec. 11-Wales- Undefeated prospects David Price and Tom Dallas meet selected opponents
Price was an Olympic bronze medalist in 2008 and is looking for win number 4 as a pro against an unknown named Basovs with a 3-2 record. It should be no problem. Dallas has a 7-0 record and was originally set to meet Carl Baker the recent conqueror of Danny Williams in the Prizefighter 111 tournament. This would have been an interesting test but Baker is out now and we will have to settle for TBA and likely another easy win for Tom.
Saturday Dec 12-Chicago- Dominick Guinn vs Charles Davis
The veteran fringe contender Guinn is just keeping busy against the 19-17-2 Davis. Don’t expect any miracles.
Dec 12-Berne Switzerland- Vitali Klitschko vs Kevin Johnson
This alphabet title bout is the best of the weekend.Enough has been written about this one already so I will keep it short. Vitali has too much of everything and should win in 10 rounds or less. Johnson may have a good future but it does not start this weekend. He is rushing in too fast without getting the necessary experience to meet someone like Vitali.
On the same card undefeated young 300 pound plus giant Alex Ustinov meets shop-worn old pro Monte Barrett. Monte has lost 4 of his last 7 fights by KO. Alex has 18 wins already and Barrett should be number 19, probably not later than the 5th round. Ustinov’s best win was last June when he decisioned the veteran trial horse and former British champ Michael Sprott over 10 rounds. Monte is here for the payday.
Also on this card Jonathon Banks who recently moved up from cruiserweight will take on Tyson Fury’s second victim as a pro in the German Marcel Zeller. Don’t be fooled by Zeller’s 22-5 record. He won’t likely go the distance.
Dec. 12-Mexico- George Foreman the 3rd takes on TBA in search of his 5th straight KO.
He will get it.
Young former American amateur star Michael Hunter was supposed to make his pro debut on Saturday in Vegas but this bout has apparently been called off. It seems the cancellations continue.