11.03.04 – By Matthew Hurley: It occurred to me last night as I was perusing some boxing magazines, and this particular website, that as a fight prognosticator I rarely get it right. When I go with my head it usually turns out I should have gone with my gut and when I go with my gut I usually end up shaking my head when the fights are over. And when I go with my heart, and by this of course I mean throwing everything I know about boxing out the window and simply root for my favorite fighter, I usually end up at the bar drowning my sorrows in pints of Guinness.
So this weekend presents an interesting dilemma for yours truly. I’ve picked Winky Wright to beat Shane Mosley and Vassily Jirov to beat Joe Mesi. I stand by those predictions but after sifting through many of the comments on the articles I wrote, and having just read today’s piece by Frank Lotierzo I can easily see myself with my head in my hands early Sunday morning when the final bell rings wondering what the hell I was thinking. And that is what is ultimately so great about boxing. One well timed shot either way and anything can happen. So often logic means nothing when two guys step in the ring and start throwing punches. It’s also why boxing fans are as passionate as they are. Just reading the comments of many of the members of this site proves that.
It won’t surprise me if Mesi blows Jirov out early. It will however shock me if Mesi is dragged into a long fight and somehow manages to win. I just don’t see that happening. Wright versus Mosley, to me, is as intriguing a match up that can be made in boxing right now. I certainly can’t see Wright blowing Mosley away and, frankly, I don’t think Mosley is going to be able to connect against Wright as he did against De La Hoya. Wright is not going to be lured into a slugging match. I think this junior middleweight unification bout is going to be long and tactical, maybe even boring. I’m still rooting for Shane, but my head (here I go again) says Wright, so I’m sticking with my original call.
There it is, one writer’s slightly amended opinion two days before the fights. I’m sticking with my original picks and if I’m wrong, as I often am, I’m certainly prepared to take all the slings and arrows and finger points that are certain to come my way. Believe me, I’m used to it. And besides, if I’m totally wrong, I’ve got St. Patrick’s Day to look forward to and believe me the Guinness will be flowing no matter what happens…
Jirov KO 9 Mesi
Wright W12 Mosley