I will attempt to stay undefeated this week by picking two tough fights. I got
off to a good start last week, as I was right about Cory Spinks winning a
unanimous decision. In the other big fight, I get credited with an undeserving
win. I picked Lamon Brewster to KO Kali Meehan in the fifth round. I was right
about Brewster winning, even though I thought he lost the fight. Nonetheless I
am 2-0 going into this weekend. On Saturday, Antonio Margarito faces Daniel
Santos for the WBO junior middleweight title, and 140 pound prospects Kelson
Pinto and Miguel Cotto clash.
My undefeated record may get put on the line here. I was right with my first two
picks, but it was against light competition. This week I will have to step up in
class to try and keep my undefeated streak alive. Here we go:
Daniel Santos vs Antonio Margarito
These guys were supposed to fight in 2001, but had the fight stopped due to an
accidental headbutt in the first round, which opened up a cut over Margarito's
eye.
I thought Margarito would win then, and I still do. Santos is a tough guy,
and this should be a good fight. But, I think Margarito will win by a 10th round
TKO.
I think this fight will be action packed, but Santos will get worn down in
the late
rounds. Margarito wants to make a statement for a big fight, and this encounter
hopefully will earn him what he deserves.
Prediction: Margarito by 10th round TKO
Miguel Cotto vs Kelson Pinto
On paper this fight looks like a potential fight of the year candidate. Two
young fighters with very high expectations, and they both pack a wallop. Two
guys with a lot to gain and lose. This could be the recipe for one of two things.
One scenario is that
both fighters come in wary of the other's power and what's at stake, and become
very cautious. The other scenario is the ideal scenario. Two big punchers waging
war in a slugfest.
I think Cotto will make a statement in his homeland, and knock Pinto out inside
five rounds. I see the fight as being an exciting fight, with both fighters
feeling the other's power. I think Cotto will go to the body from the start and
take some of Pinto's power away. Eventually, Cotto will catch Pinto and force a
stoppage in an exciting fight.
Prediction: Cotto wins by 5th round TKO
This should be a very exciting card between some of the best young fighters
around. The Cotto-Pinto fight could be just what the Doctor ordered for
fight fans. It's rare to see two young highly touted prospects face each other
this early in their careers, but it should make for an exciting fight. The card
takes place on HBO's Boxing After Dark on September 11th.
