Full slate this weekend as HBO and Showtime (twice) will televise 3 of the 5 title bouts. My DVR will be quite busy Saturday night.
On Apr. 24 in Saint Louis, MO, hometown fighters Cory Spinks [36(11)-5(1)-0] and Deandre Latimore [19(16)-1(1)-0] will vie for the vacant IBF Junior Middleweight title. I don't remember the last time St. Louis hosted a title fight but this indeed is the perfect fight to host. A former undisputed welterweight champ against an up and coming heavy handed potential star. But more importantly, whatever happens, the belt will stay in St. Louis. Spinks is arguably at the tailend of his decent career with losses to Verno Phillips and Jermain Taylor. Some would argue that he was robbed against Taylor. I have Taylor winning on my cards but do admit that it could've gone either way. Spinks, by the way, is the son of Leon and the nephew of Michael. Both former heavyweight titleholders who fought 2 of the best in Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, respectively. Latimore is fresh from an impressive and surprising knockout win over the formidable Sechew Powell. I believe Latimore is reaching his peak and an impressive win against Spinks will take him to another level in his career. The only problem I have with Latimore is his inactivity. His fight against Powell was 10 months ago. These are not big named fighters but I feel like this is a must see Friday night for hardcore fans. This will be televised by Showtime at 11 pm ET.
On Apr. 25, Krefeld, Germany will be hosting a championship doubleheader. In the main event, Germany's Felix Sturm [31(13)-2(1)-1] will defend his WBA Middleweight title against Koji Sato [14(13)-0(0)-0] of Japan. There was a good possibility that Sturm and Arthur Abraham could've unified their titles this year. But my opinion upon following various reports, Sturm and his handlers are afraid of Abraham. They're making all this excuses of professionalism or lack thereof just to prevent the fight from happening. Sturm is best remembered among American fans in his controversial loss to Oscar Dela Hoya in 2004. If he took the Abraham fight then he wouldn't be fighting a nobody yet dangerous and undefeated Sato. Sato is the best ranked middleweight of Japan but will be fighting outside Japan for the first time since his debut in 2005. I don't expect Sato to give Sturm any problems. I hope Sturm fights Abraham next and the winner gets to the big showdown against Kelly Pavlik before the end of the year for all 4 belts and the Ring title as well.
In the other title fight in Krefeld, Hungary's Karoly Balzsay [20(14)-0(0)-0] will defend his WBO Super Middleweight title against Maselino Masoe [29(27)-5(3)-0] of Samoa (formerly Western Samoa). This will be Balzsay's first defense of the title he took from Denis Inkin last January. Masoe was the WBO Middleweight champ until he was dethroned by Sturm in 2006. Balzsay has an overwhelming age and height advantage but if Masoe clips him, he'll be in trouble. Masoe has knockout power but a suspect chin.
Also on Apr. 25 in Mashantucket, CT at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, UK's Carl Froch [24(19)-0(0)-0] will defend his WBC Super Middleweight title against former undisputed Middleweight champ Jermain Taylor [28(17)-2(1)-1] of the US. If their last title fights are an indication, then this will be a barnburner. Froch's slugfest against Jean Pascal last year to claim this title was clearly a fight of the year candidate. Although it wasn't shown live here in the US, Fox Sports aired it late December. Taylor's title fight against Pavlik was action-packed too although he got stopped in the seventh. He dominated a ruined Jeff Lacy in the eliminator last December to earn this title shot. This is tough to call but I'm inclined to pick the Brit because I see some Pavlik in Froch and we all know what Pavlik did to Taylor in their two bouts. Taylor seem to be favored but that is probably because of the unfamiliarity of oddsmakers to Froch. This will be covered by Showtime at 9 pm ET.
The same night in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, heavy hitting Juan Manuel Lopez [24(22)-0(0)-0] of Puerto Rico will defend his WBO Junior Featherweight title against the WBO Bantamweight champ Gerry Penalosa [54(36)-6(0)-2] of the Philippines. Lopez stopped 6 of his last 7 opponents in under 3 rounds including 4 in the first. This is probably the first time that Lopez will fight a veteran tactician who will not be intimidated unlike most of his recent opponents. Lopez is highly favored to win but will be interesting how he will adjust to a good counter puncher. According to the WBO and various reports, Penalosa will be the bantamweight champ going into this fight to preserve the “Champion vs. Champion” title of the card. But, will be stripped after the bout. This will then elevate interim titleholder Mexico's Fernando Montiel to the full bantamweight title. Therefore, a loss by Penalosa will not only deprive him of Lopez's 122-lb. title but will be stripped as well of his 118-lb. belt. I've mentioned this in previous blog entries except for the recent stripping decision made by the WBO due to Montiel winning the interim title. If Penalosa fought and won against his mandatory first, which is Eric Morel, then he can keep his title even if he loses to Lopez. This will be covered by HBO at 10 pm ET.
My Predictions:
I have the young and hungry Latimore by late stoppage or decision.
Easy fight for Sturm and will stop Sato early.
Balzsay also by early stoppage.
With bated breath, Froch by decision or late KO.
I want Penalosa to win but Lopez is on a mission and wins by decision.
On Apr. 24 in Saint Louis, MO, hometown fighters Cory Spinks [36(11)-5(1)-0] and Deandre Latimore [19(16)-1(1)-0] will vie for the vacant IBF Junior Middleweight title. I don't remember the last time St. Louis hosted a title fight but this indeed is the perfect fight to host. A former undisputed welterweight champ against an up and coming heavy handed potential star. But more importantly, whatever happens, the belt will stay in St. Louis. Spinks is arguably at the tailend of his decent career with losses to Verno Phillips and Jermain Taylor. Some would argue that he was robbed against Taylor. I have Taylor winning on my cards but do admit that it could've gone either way. Spinks, by the way, is the son of Leon and the nephew of Michael. Both former heavyweight titleholders who fought 2 of the best in Muhammad Ali and Mike Tyson, respectively. Latimore is fresh from an impressive and surprising knockout win over the formidable Sechew Powell. I believe Latimore is reaching his peak and an impressive win against Spinks will take him to another level in his career. The only problem I have with Latimore is his inactivity. His fight against Powell was 10 months ago. These are not big named fighters but I feel like this is a must see Friday night for hardcore fans. This will be televised by Showtime at 11 pm ET.
On Apr. 25, Krefeld, Germany will be hosting a championship doubleheader. In the main event, Germany's Felix Sturm [31(13)-2(1)-1] will defend his WBA Middleweight title against Koji Sato [14(13)-0(0)-0] of Japan. There was a good possibility that Sturm and Arthur Abraham could've unified their titles this year. But my opinion upon following various reports, Sturm and his handlers are afraid of Abraham. They're making all this excuses of professionalism or lack thereof just to prevent the fight from happening. Sturm is best remembered among American fans in his controversial loss to Oscar Dela Hoya in 2004. If he took the Abraham fight then he wouldn't be fighting a nobody yet dangerous and undefeated Sato. Sato is the best ranked middleweight of Japan but will be fighting outside Japan for the first time since his debut in 2005. I don't expect Sato to give Sturm any problems. I hope Sturm fights Abraham next and the winner gets to the big showdown against Kelly Pavlik before the end of the year for all 4 belts and the Ring title as well.
In the other title fight in Krefeld, Hungary's Karoly Balzsay [20(14)-0(0)-0] will defend his WBO Super Middleweight title against Maselino Masoe [29(27)-5(3)-0] of Samoa (formerly Western Samoa). This will be Balzsay's first defense of the title he took from Denis Inkin last January. Masoe was the WBO Middleweight champ until he was dethroned by Sturm in 2006. Balzsay has an overwhelming age and height advantage but if Masoe clips him, he'll be in trouble. Masoe has knockout power but a suspect chin.
Also on Apr. 25 in Mashantucket, CT at the Foxwoods Resort Casino, UK's Carl Froch [24(19)-0(0)-0] will defend his WBC Super Middleweight title against former undisputed Middleweight champ Jermain Taylor [28(17)-2(1)-1] of the US. If their last title fights are an indication, then this will be a barnburner. Froch's slugfest against Jean Pascal last year to claim this title was clearly a fight of the year candidate. Although it wasn't shown live here in the US, Fox Sports aired it late December. Taylor's title fight against Pavlik was action-packed too although he got stopped in the seventh. He dominated a ruined Jeff Lacy in the eliminator last December to earn this title shot. This is tough to call but I'm inclined to pick the Brit because I see some Pavlik in Froch and we all know what Pavlik did to Taylor in their two bouts. Taylor seem to be favored but that is probably because of the unfamiliarity of oddsmakers to Froch. This will be covered by Showtime at 9 pm ET.
The same night in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, heavy hitting Juan Manuel Lopez [24(22)-0(0)-0] of Puerto Rico will defend his WBO Junior Featherweight title against the WBO Bantamweight champ Gerry Penalosa [54(36)-6(0)-2] of the Philippines. Lopez stopped 6 of his last 7 opponents in under 3 rounds including 4 in the first. This is probably the first time that Lopez will fight a veteran tactician who will not be intimidated unlike most of his recent opponents. Lopez is highly favored to win but will be interesting how he will adjust to a good counter puncher. According to the WBO and various reports, Penalosa will be the bantamweight champ going into this fight to preserve the “Champion vs. Champion” title of the card. But, will be stripped after the bout. This will then elevate interim titleholder Mexico's Fernando Montiel to the full bantamweight title. Therefore, a loss by Penalosa will not only deprive him of Lopez's 122-lb. title but will be stripped as well of his 118-lb. belt. I've mentioned this in previous blog entries except for the recent stripping decision made by the WBO due to Montiel winning the interim title. If Penalosa fought and won against his mandatory first, which is Eric Morel, then he can keep his title even if he loses to Lopez. This will be covered by HBO at 10 pm ET.
My Predictions:
I have the young and hungry Latimore by late stoppage or decision.
Easy fight for Sturm and will stop Sato early.
Balzsay also by early stoppage.
With bated breath, Froch by decision or late KO.
I want Penalosa to win but Lopez is on a mission and wins by decision.
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