By Ted Sares: My last ten predictions have resulted in a 7-3 tally. Still to come is:
1) Kelly Pavlik, 32-0, over Jermain Taylor, 27-1-1, by early and brutal stoppage: I believe it will be difficult for Taylor to recover mentally from what occurred in the first fight–which I picked Taylor to win based on contrasting styles. Hopefully, I won’t make the same mistake again, as I think the savage stoppage over Jermain has gotten into his head in a way that will work against him. Having his old trainer will help (particularly with his stamina), but if Pavlik hurts him early, look for a quick kill. The “Ghost” is a decisive closer. Moreover, the stakes are high as a win puts him in line for a possible mega payday against Calzaghe or Hopkins. Meanwhile, Taylor fights for redemption. (2-16-08).
And then these new ones:
2.) Corrie Sanders, 42-3, over Osborne “Big Daddy” Machimana, 14-5, on February 2 in South Africa. Every fight now is “do or die” for Corrie. He cannot afford to lose if he wants to get back into the mix..
3.) Amir Khan, 15-0, over Gary St Clair, 39-5-2. The undefeated Pride of Bolton will prove his recent one round stoppage over Graham Earl was no fluke as he continues his quest for a title shot. If his opponent is in fact Gairy “Superman” St Clair as now scheduled, he should beat him, but not easily. In the words of Legendary Aussie trainer Johnny Lewis, “St Clair comes to fight, and I don’t think anyone will be leaving disappointed on Saturday.”
4.) Paul “The Punisher” Williams, 33-0, over Carlos “El Indio” Quintana, 24-1. Too much punishment will rain down upon the smaller El Indio and that will be that as the very dangerous and talented Williams, 6’1’’ with an 82’’ reach, positions himself for a mega fight.
5.) Nikolay Valuev, 47-1-0-1, over Sergei Liakhovich. The Russian Giant is simply too big for the 6′ 4″ “White Wolf,” who comes in at 23-2 and has not fought since his last-second defeat at the hands of the immobile Shannon Briggs in 2006.
6.) Wladimir Klitschko, 49-3, over Sultan Ibragimov, 22-0-1 coming in. Wlad is no Briggs or Austin as the much smaller Sultan will rudely find out early and decisively.
7.) Anthony Mundine, 30-3, over Nader Hamdan, 40-5. Hamdan should not be taken lightly by “The Man” who has won 7 in a row since losing to Mikkel Kessler in 2005. This one is set for February 27.
8.) Rafael Marquez over Israel Vazquez in their rubber match on March 1. I am betting Marquez has more left over than Magnifico but this one is a toss up. A great fight in the tradition of Macho Explosivo! This is old school stuff at its very best.
9.) Samuel Peter, 29-1, over Oleg Maskiev, 34-5, in Cancun on March 9. This one could go either way now that The Nightmare’s less than stellar chin has been exposed. The Big O has the punch, but will he get the opportunity to use it? As for Peter, it’s been a while since he has iced anyone. Oleg and his sometimed questionable chin may just be what the KO doctor ordered. This is an intriguing match up and I wish I was in Cancun to see it.
10.) Juan Diaz, 33-0, vs. Nate Campbell, 35-1-1. Diaz, on a roll, will out work and possibly stop the Galaxxy Warrior in their co-feature battle in Cancun. But Campbell, who is inconsistent and sometimes has defensive lapses, should not be underestimated. This likely is his one last chance at the brass ring.
11.) Manny Pacquiao, 45-3-2, over Juan Manuel Marquez, 48-3-1, in a classic rematch between two great fighters. It’s hard to bet against JMM, but it’s folly to bet against Manny. Moreover, I was not that impressed with Marquez’s outing against an inspired Ricky Juarez in November. Pac-Man has something to prove and I’m betting he does it.
12.) Michael Katsidis, 23-0, over Joel Casamayor, 35-3-1. The exciting Australian brawler from Toowoomba could force Casamayor‘s retirement in this one. I know at least one person who will be rooting for Mike. His name is Jose Armando Santa Cruz and last November he showed that “El Cepillo” may now be too long in the tooth, if not shot. The old Casamayor would exploit Michael’s style (or lack thereof). This version may not be able to get out of the way of this fright train (misspelling intentional).
Ted Sares is a boxing writer and historian. He is the author of the recently published Boxing is my Sanctuary.