The Neutral Corner

The Neutral Corner caught up with former world bantamweight and junior featherweight champion Junior Jones. He came up out of the Bushwick section of Brooklyn and was a mainstay in boxing's lighter weight classes throughout the 1990s. He beat Marco Antonio Barrera, Orlando Canizales, Tom Johnson and Tracy Harris Patterson and had tough losses against Erik Morales and Kennedy McKinney. We tossed out some random boxing questions, here's how Jones responded:

Neutral Corner: What is your greatest moment in the ring?

Junior Jones: Beating Orlando Canizales. He broke the record for 17 successful title defenses at bantamweight and I beat him. That was my best moment. You thought I was going to say beating Marco Antonio Barrera didn't you?

NC: With both men at their best, Ali vs. Tyson. Who wins?

JJ: Wow. I have to pick Tyson. I think the way Tyson fought in his prime, he'd catch Ali. Ali would try the rope-a-dope but it wouldn't work. I say Tyson in four rounds.

NC: Who wins in a fight, an MMA guy or a boxer?

JJ: MMA, big time. Once he gets you to the ground, it's over. Boxers aren't trained for that.

NC: Which athlete, from another sport, would make a good fighter?

JJ: Charles Barkley. He had a tough attitude. He wouldn't back down to anyone. He had no fear. John Starks too. No fear. He was a lightweight with a heavyweight's heart.

NC: Is there one fight, one thing that you wished you could have done in your career?

JJ: Yeah, fight at heavyweight. One big fight, and you are set financially for life. Look at all the fights I had. One big fight at heavyweight would equal everything I made in those fights.

-- CASSIDY

BY MARCUS HENRY

So what does Joe Calzaghe's win over Bernard Hopkins mean? It means Calzaghe is the king of the light heavyweights. It means a lot for boxing and should pave the way for several mega-fights. The most obvious matchup is a Calzaghe-Roy Jones Jr., tilt. Jones looked like a new man in his win over Felix Trinidad. Trinidad clearly isn't the fighter he once was, but that doesn't take away from the clinic Jones put on.

Calzaghe's convincing win over Hopkins puts him in the driver's seat. Meaning there is a good chance the fight will end up in England. A Calzaghe-Jones card could dwarf the recent Calzaghe-Kessler fight.

Regardless of what happens there will be no shortage of fighters lining up to take on Calzaghe. Kelly Pavlik, Jermain Taylor, Chad Dawson and Antonio Tarver are all potential opponents. The rest of 2008 and 2009 should be a great ride.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Round 1 - Hopkins' grind-it-out style controlled round one and he surprised everyone with a quick knockdown of Calzaghe. Calzaghe will need to adjust at some point and find his groove. Hopkins 10-8.

Round 2 - This one goes to Calzaghe. He's beginning to find his stroke against Hopkins. Bernard needs to start throwing combinations. Calzaghe 10-9

Round 3 - Tough round to judge, but Calzaghe landed a few more combinations. Calzaghe is beginning to find his way now. Hopkins needs to adjust. Calzaghe 10-9.

Round 4 - I thought Calzaghe was finding his way. Hopkins' counter punches are being landed with perfection. The ref had to call timeout to warn both fighters about illegal tactics. Hopkins, 10-9.

Round 5 - Calzaghe, who started to find his groove, landed several clean shots. But Hopkins fought off the ropes well the second half of the round. But Calzaghe ended the round with a short flury. Calzaghe 10-9.

Round 6 - Hopkins isn't throwing a lot of punches, but the ones he did throw hit their intended target. Calzaghe is landing combinations, but they aren't hurting Hopkins. Hopkins 10-9.

After six rounds its Hopkins 57, Calzaghe 56.

Round 7 - It was a relatively boring round for both fighters. But Calzaghe may have stolen the round with a late flurry. Calzaghe gets the round for being more active. Calzaghe 10-9.

Round 8 - This was one of those rounds where Calzaghe's combinations weren't fooling anyone. He landed some, but they have no spark behind them. Hopkins landed several straight lefts and counters. Hopkins 10-9.

Round 9 - Back and forth they go. Hopkins landed a few stiff lefts, but Calzaghe clearly had the upper hand in this round. His combinations are beginning to have an effect on Hopkins. Calzaghe 10-9.

After nine rounds it is all tied up at 85.

Round 10 - Hopkins went to his knees after taking a low blow from Calzaghe. Hopkins was clearly acting, trying to get another wind and stop Calzaghe's flow. Joe Cortez gave Hopkins time to recover. The stategy worked as Hopkins landed a straight right and hit on a combination shortly after the action resumed. Hopkins 10-9.

Round 11 - Hopkins again keeled over from a low blow, of course he was acting. Calzaghe landed a combo after the action resumed. But Hopkins, who was infuriated by the low blow, came back strong with a combo and a straight right. Calzaghe landed more shots, though. Calzaghe 10-9.

Round 12 - Calzaghe chased Hopkins, thinking he was behind. Hopkins again countered. Hopkins prevails, 10-9. My final tally: Hopkins 114-113.

Calzaghe landed 232 punches compared to 127 for Hopkins and 187 power punches to 116 for Hopkins. This was a difficult fight to score, so it's not a shock that Calzaghe won on the judges scorecards (113-114, 115-112, 116-111).

Although Calzaghe landed more shots (a lot more), I still didn't feel Hopkins was hurt at any point. But judges often give favorable scores to aggressive fighters. Calzaghe was aggressive, Hopkins wasn't. Hopkins chose to stay with his counter-punch strategy and let the action come to him.

As for the future of both fighters, Calzaghe will likely end up facing Roy Jones Jr. or Kelly Pavlik. As for Hopkins, no one knows. He could retire or try and get a rematch. Nothing is ever certain for the Executioner.

Our man GDM is behind the lense (photo above) and on the scene as the fighters tip the scales:

"The scene for the Calzaghe-Hopkins weigh-in is highly charged with the addition of hundreds of fans who made the trip over from Wales to watch their countryman. First we saw Michael Buffer come out, followed by Sylvester Stallone (to great cheers by the way) and finally followed by Calzaghe, first, and Hopkins.

"Both Calzaghe and Hopkins scaled 173 pounds.

"More gamesmanship: Hopkins stuck his hand into Calzaghe's ribs and there was some banter back and forth. Hopkins held up seven fingers and there was the prediction from Bernard. Your special correspondent thinks it will be Calzaghe in 9 by TKO as he wears down Hopkins.

"The fight atmosphere has been rarified by the presence of Jim Lampley, Shannon Briggs, Juan LaPorte, Max Kellerman, Brian Doogan, who wrote the Calzaghe story in "No Ordinary Joe," Bert Sugar, Roy Jones, Harold Lederman and Zab Judah. This occasion is special as I watch Calzaghe attempt to further his claim as one of the best, pound-for-pound, in the game."

BY MARCUS HENRY

Boxing is dead? I had trouble even writing that phrase, especially after what I saw at the 81st Annual New York Golden Gloves Finals at the Theater at Madison Square Garden on Friday night.

Over 5,000 spectators packed the theater at MSG to witness the future of New York boxing. And the fighters on the card didn’t disappoint.

Fighters from all walks of life, from physical trainers, to high school students, to research scientists and teachers, took part in a great night at the fights. One local fighter on the card was Connetquot high school senior Kathleen "Kitty" Walsh. Although Walsh came away with a defeat in the 138-pound division, she showed a lot of spirit and helped put on one of the night’s most exciting bouts.

In the 132-pound novice championship Hicksville’s Anthony Karperis scored the first and only title for Long Island as he topped Marlon Charlton.

IN OTHER LOCAL MATCHES: Central Islip’s Allen Littlejohn lost a decision to Anthony Caramanno in the 152-pound novice championship…Livingstone Joseph topped Mike Brooks (Freeport) in the 141-pound open championship…

STAR SEARCH: No sport or team (except the Knicks when they are good) brings out the stars like boxing. And the Golden Gloves had its share of them. Iran "The Blade" Barkley, the only man to beat Tommy Hearns twice, was in the house. Motion picture star Ethan Hawke was also in attendance. Soprano’s star Lorraine Bracco, Roberto Alomar and former WBA welterweight champion Mark Breland were also on hand. Giants running back Brandon Jacobs got the loudest ovation. And don’t think the stars were of the Johnny-come-lately variety. Hawke, Jacobs and Alomar stayed until the very end.

A friend of The Neutral Corner, known in NYC boxing circles as GDM, filed this via e-mail on his way to the fight:

So there I was in Kennedy Airport boarding my flight to Las Vegas when I see Juan Laporte, former featherweight champion who fought the best in his day. I asked him who did he think would win the fight? Would it be Hopkins or Calzaghe?

"If it goes to a decision I say Calzaghe, but if there is any knockout it will be Hopkins. When it comes to style you can see a European fighter has more leg movement and hand speed, they are very busy putting pressure on their opponent. Most of the time the American style of boxing is smarter because they have lateral movement and better counterpunching. The only thing that beats American fighters is lackof conditioning."

I asked Juan about Hopkins age and the factor it will play in the fight.

"The age won't hurt him that much because he has been an active fighter all the way through. You don't lose your power however you lose speed and reflexes. It is not like he is fighting 15 rounds, he is fighting 12 rounds and the only weakness he might have is that he already knows about losing in front of his people and is comfortable with the possibility of losing. He may not have the hunger to win that he once had. Calzaghe is detirmined and hungry for victory and has a lot to show the American people. That is always a positive motivation to win. Hopkins will have to be the one who initiates the fight, he has to be boss. If you are boxing and let Calzaghe throw all those punches believe me you are going to get tired. Calzaghe will have to keep the pressure on him, stalk him, stay on top of him and make Hopkins use all of his energy in the clinches. This will wear out Hopkins and Calzaghe will score a lot of points."

Bernard Hopkins, left, meets unbeaten Joe Calzaghe in Las Vegas on Saturday

Wallace Matthews: Except for two very narrow defeats to Jermain Taylor, Bernard Hopkins hasn’t lost a fight in 15 years. And that was to a Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. I’m not even convinced he lost the second Taylor fight. He may be 43, but he’s well-rested, having spent 10 of those years in jail, and his track record against guys previously thought unbeatable—Trinidad, Wright, De La Hoya, Tarver--is damned near impeccable. Calzaghe is younger, but at 36 not all that young, has fast hands but is a wide puncher, and just seems ripe for another Hopkins upset. I go with the Old Man on a split decision.

Mike Rose: If this were a few years ago, I'd say Joe Calzaghe calling Bernard Hopkins, 'Popkins,' would be a recipe for disaster for the Welshman. But Hopkins is 43. Calzaghe, however, is 36 so it's not like he's a young fighter either. I just think Calzaghe is too active and throws punches from too many angles for Hopkins to handle. There are people who will counter with the fact that Calzaghe has never fought in the U.S. and hasn't fought a fighter of Hopkins' caliber. And I have learned never to bet against Hopkins. He's a smart fighter. I'm sure he's hoping Calzaghe throws a ton of punches, Calzaghe tires and he takes advantage. I believe Hopkins' only chance is to tie up Calzaghe as much as possible, sneak in some punches and play defense. Therefore, I'm picking Calzaghe by unanimous decision.

Marcus Henry: The Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe fight has legacy written all over it. For Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs), it’s a chance to prove once and for all that he deserves to be among boxing’s immortals. Not that Hopkins has to prove anything. The Philadelphia native has beaten everyone from Oscar De La Hoya to Antonio Tarver to Winky Wright to Felix Trinidad (in his prime). But a win over Europe’s best pound-for-pound fighter could be what etches him in stone as one of boxing’s greats with the likes of Roberto Duran, Sugar Ray Leonard, etc…

For Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs), it’s a chance to prove he’s the real deal. Don’t get me wrong, Calzaghe has had a marvelous career, which was highlighted by his unanimous decision victory over Mikkel Kessler last November. With victories over Kessler and Jeff Lacy under his belt, Calzaghe doesn’t have much to prove. But he’s never fought in the United States and has never taken on an opponent the caliber of Hopkins.

As for the fight, Calzaghe has one thing going for him, youth. Considering his age (36), that’s a relative thing. But Hopkins is 43 and Calzaghe needs to take advantage of that. But Hopkins has proven to be the Energizer Bunny, going the distance in seven of his last eight fights against opponents in both the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions. If Calzaghe allows Hopkins to work inside, it’s going to be a long fight that ends with the Executioner raising his hands in victory. If Calzaghe can dictate the pace and keep the taller Hopkins on the outside, he could score the upset. But I don’t see that happening. Hopkins will use his experience to get inside and beat up Calzaghe’s mid section. PREDICTION: Hopkins in a unanimous decision.

Robert Cassidy: I'm still annoyed that this fight is not taking place in Yankee Stadium, which Hopkins was pushing for. But that's for another blog. In one sense, B-Hop is a lot like Evander Holyfield. The fights in which it seems obvious to pick against him, he finds a way to win. I think that's the case here. Calzaghe seems to have youth, strength and stamina on his side. Of course, when we say youth, we are still talking about a 36-year-old.

Hopkins is a great counterpuncher and I think that's exactly why he'll beat Calzaghe. Joe will come in strong, throwing a lot of punches. But Bernard will dissect him. When the stakes are the highest, Hopkins raises his game. We have yet to see how Calzaghe will react under the intense pressure of a megafight in the United States. I pick Hopkins by unanimous decision.

Talk about your scholar athletes, Vitali Klitschko, the former WBC heavyweight champion, is running for mayor of Kiev, in the Ukraine. In his previous attempt at politics, Klitschko was runner up in Kiev’s last mayoral election. He currently serves on Kiev’s city council. He has a doctorate in Physical Science and Sports.

The election is May 25. And, oh yeah, Vitali announced he is returning to the ring and has a fight lined up with current WBC champion Sam Peter for the summer. His younger brother, Wladimir, is the current WBO-IBF heavyweight champion.

The Neutral Corner recently caught up with Klischko while he was in New York.

Neutral Corner: Do you want to talk politics or boxing?

Vitali Klitschko: Either one.

NC: Let’s start with politics, how do you feel about the upcoming election?

VK: My chances look very good. I have good support in Kiev, the public supports me and I am very optimistic about the election. Every morning at 6 a.m., I am in the gym. By 9 a.m., I in the office. I feel great.

NC: What is the perception of the United States and our government around the world?

VK: Actually, I understand that so many American citizens are sometimes very critical of American politics and politicians, but American politics show a very good example for the whole world. It’s an open discussion. It’s democracy. There is freedom of the press. There are so many things we can speak about. There are so many places in the world where you can’t do that. Where you can’t do things you can do in America. I don’t want to criticize American politics.

NC: Okay. Tell me about your comeback.

VK: Every day I spend two, three hours in the gym. I am in great form. I have experience and you can never lose experience. I am at a point, not just in boxing, but in life, where I have experience. I promise to fight and I have a vision to realize my dreams. To write the history of boxing and be world champion at the same time as my brother, two heavyweight champions at the same time. It’s never happened in the heavyweight division. I plan to fight this summer for a world title.

NC: In his last fight, your brother Wladimir was criticized for his performance against Sultan Ibragimov. How did you feel about the fight?

VK: I am very happy that my brother is world champion. He is the strongest fighter in the world. I support him. I think my brother had a great performance. Please don’t forget that he fought against a world champion. Of course the people want to see the knockout, it’s very difficult to knock out someone who was running away form you. I was happy with the decision.

NC: There have been quite a few heavyweight champions who have emerged from the former Soviet Union, yourself, your brother, Oleg Maskaev, Ibragimov, Valuev, why do you think that is?

VK: After the Iron Curtain fell down, all the Russian amateurs moved to the west and pursued professional boxing careers. Right now we have good results. The Russian fighters are very hungry.

NC: Vitali, good luck in the election and good luck in your quest to regain the title.

VK: Wait. I have a question for you.

NC: Okay.

VK: Don’t you want to know why I got into politics?

NC: Sure.

VK: I travel around the world, I spent a lot of time in Germany and in the United States, my three children are born in Los Angeles. I come from Kiev, Ukraine. When I come to Kiev, I see the city, very pretty, 1,500 years old. But the rules are still same as they were under the Soviet Union. I am trying to bring the same simple rules to Kiev, to make life in my city, like life in Europe and in the United States. I have very high moral qualities. I want to work hard for my city and the people who live there. It’s not communist anymore, but there is corruption in Kiev. So many investors want to invest in Kiev, but they are afraid because no one can guarantee that the money will come back. There is no guarantee that someone will steal the money.

-- CASSIDY

The fourth annual BOX NYC card will be televised on ESPN2 from the Hammerstein Ballroom, Wednesday, April 16th. World Heavyweight Champion Wladimir Klitschko will appear at the event and will accept a donation from BOX NYC for The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, the official charity of the event.

The main bout features New York City super middleweight prospect Peter "Kid Chocolate" Quillin (17-0) against veteran world-title challenger Antwun Echols (31-7-4). In heavyweight action, Chazz Witherspoon (22-0) meets Domonic Jenkins (13-7-1).

The Hammerstein Ballroom is located at 311 West 34th Street, between 8th & 9th Avenues. Doors will open for VIP ticket holders at 6:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. for general admission. For more information call, 212-353-4862 or email Jed@jedweinsteinpresents.com

-- CASSIDY

BY MARCUS HENRY

The announcement of Oscar De La Hoya - Floyd Mayweather II threw a huge monkey wrench into the welterweight division. It prevented a potential Floyd Mayweather-Miguel Cotto showdown in in the fall. For true boxing fans, watching De La Hoya and Mayweather hook up again is a waste of time.

Click here to see photos of the Cotto-Gomez fight.

For one, the outcome is likely going to be the same. Mayweather is still the best pound-for-pound guy in the sport and De La Hoya is 35. Second, the more a Cotto-Mayweather bout is pushed back, the more of a chance there is that either fighter could lose or maybe sustain an injury.

Had De La Hoya and Mayweather decided not go at it a second time, there is a good chance Cotto would not be fighting Antonio Margarito on July 26. And make no mistake about it, fighting Margarito could be dangerous for Cotto. Margarito, like Cotto, is aggressive and likes to go after the body. And Cotto, as great a puncher as he is, is vulnerable to a body attack. Jab Judah proved it. Margarito scoring a KO over Cotto is not a far-fetched idea. It could happen.

And Margarito is itching to get at Cotto. "They promised me Cotto," Margarito said after his TKO win over Kermit Cintron on Saturday. "And they better deliver him."

There is a flip side to this. A De La Hoya-Mayweather tilt will do well on Pay-Per-View. It won't get 2.15 million buys like it got the first time, but it should eclipse the 1 million-buy plateau, which is still considered the gold standard. Even the weigh-in was a big deal for the first fight as 7,000 people showed up to see it.

And the payout for both fighters will be tremendous. De La Hoya, who also promoted the fight got a reported $45 million. Mayweather's take was somewhere in the $20 to $25 million range. If you are Mayweather, what would you do? Face Cotto in a fight that could damage your legacy or take a huge payday and fight a guy with a name that you know you can beat?

Mayweather is taking a chance by fighting De La Hoya. Cotto could lose, which would leave him no one else to fight. But considering the money he will get from his bout with De La Hoya, it's a good chance to take.

One Top Rank official told me everything is up to Mayweather. "He could have this fight anytime he wanted," the official said. "He's not going to rush."

ATLANTIC CITY – It was easy pickings for Miguel Cotto.

Fueled by a relentless body attack, Cotto had no problems as he scored a sixth-round TKO over Alfonso Gomez and retained his WBA welterweight title at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City last night.

As routine as the fight looked, Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs) scoffed at the idea that he took it easy. “I wanted to work and do the right things,” he said.

As for his immediate future, Cotto is set to fight Antonio Magarito in July. The fight will take place in Atlantic City, New York or Las Vegas, according to Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels.

Cotto, who was called out by Margarito after his victory over Kermit Cintron in the card’s co-main event, said he’ll fight anyone. “I am going to be prepared for anyone, especially Margarito,” Cotto said.

Gomez, a former participant on NBC’s reality show “The Contender” was in trouble early and often as Cotto knocked him down three times. The first two came in the third and fourth rounds. The last knockdown came with about 1:00 left in the fifth round. Gomez’ corner stopped the fight shortly after the round ended.

“That was a real beating out there,” Cotto’s cut man Miguel Diaz said. “Cotto sent a message tonight that he will punish anyone who gets in the ring.”

Margarito wins IBF title. The first time the Antonio Margarito took on Kermit Cintron, it wasn’t much of a match as Margarito prevailed with a fifth-round knockout.

Last night was almost a carbon copy of the first match as Margarito (36-5, 26 KOs) battered Cintron (29-2, 27 KOs) into submission and came away with a sixth-round knockout and was crowned IBF welterweight champion. “I had him all the way,” Margarito said. “I’m surprised the fight went that long.”

Cintron, who acknowledged fight inside turned out to be a bad decision, promised to return. “I should have tried to box more and stay on the outside, but I wanted to prove something. I’ll be back.”

BY MARCUS HENRY

Round 1: Miguel Cotto was out for blood, literally, as he landed a straight left and cut Gomez over his right eye less than 25 seconds into the fight. Cotto wasn't as aggressive as he has been in previous fights, but when he chose to throw a punch, it usually landed. His biggest shot, a left to the body,came with a few seconds left in the first. Cotto 10-9.

Round 2: Cotto's body attack on Gomez has been magnificent so far. If finally paid off as he floored him with a short right midway through the round. Although several of my Ringside scribes felt it was a slip. Cotto 10-8.

Round 3: Gomez was game the first 1:30 of the round as he landed a few combinations. Gomez actually had control of things, until Cotto floored him with a left uppercut to the body with with five seconds left in the round. Gomez lucked out because under WBA rules a fighter can be saves by the bell. Cotto 10-8.

Round 4: Gomez is clearly overmatched. He's cut over both eyes and he hasn't been able to hurt Cotto. Cotto is peppering him with body shots and really dropped the hammer on him with about 1:00 left in the round. This is nothing more than a sparring match. Don't be surprised if this fight is stopped soon. Cotto 10-9.

Round 5: Gomez showed some resilience, but it was all for naught as Cotto knocked him down for the third time with about 1:00 left in the round. Gomez' corner stopped the fight. Another victory for Cotto (32-0, 26 KOs).

This fight was nothing more than a sparring session for Cotto. Top Rank spokesman Lee Samuels confirmed that Cotto will fight Margarito in July. The time and date have yet to be determined.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Round 1: It was a tough round to judge as both fighters exchanged jabs and power shots. But Margarito was more consistent. Cintron had a nice flury around the 1:00 mark, but Margarito stood tall. Margarito wins 10-9.

Round 2: This wasn't a tough round to judge. Margarito was all over Cintron, landing body and head shots at a steady pace. Cintron landed some head shots and actually opened up a cut over Margarito's left eye, but Margarito won the round. Margarito 10-9.

Round 3 Can't see this fight going the distance if Cintron continues to take a pounding. Margarito had his way with the head shots early and often. Cintron did some more damage to Margarito's right eye, but Margarito was clearly the more consistent fighter. Margarito 10-9.

Round 4: Margarito, again, made his presence felt again in the power department. And his biggest shot came about 1:00 into the round as he landed a vicious straight right to the head of Cintron. Margarito wins again. Margarito 10-9.

Round 5: Cintron started out on a positive note landing two overhand rights in the first 45 seconds. He still took some serious shots, but he held up and was able to land a few more overhand rights. The referee stopped the action for a few seconds to warn Magarito for the second time about shots to the back of the head. It bought some time for Cintron, who was clearly dead on his feet. This round wasn't an easy one, but Cintron finally came through. Cintron 10-9.

Round 6: It's over. Margarito landed a vicious left hand to the body 1:57 of the the round, knocking out Cintron. It was a true blood bath, particularly for Cintron, who could not stay out of the way of Margarito's power. Margarito is the new IBF welterweight champion.

BY MARCUS HENRY

Hey fight fans, we are a few minutes away from the Kermit Cintron-Antonio Margarito bash at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City.

A few side notes: Former Chicago Cub slugger Sammy Sosa is in the house. Mets centerfielder Carlos Beltran is also in the house. For those watching on TV, he's in the first row on the south side of the arena. There's nothing wrong having a night out, but considering the Mets have a 1:10 game tomorrow, when is he going to sleep? Fight nights (and after parties) generally run into the early hours of the morning.

Michael Buffer, the world famous ring announcer who made Let's Get Ready to Rumble a household phrase, is battling throat cancer and won't be in the house tonight. Get better Michael, everyone misses you.

Here are the official weights for Saturday's main bouts in Atlantic City:

WBA welterweight championship:
Champion Miguel Cotto, 146 1/2 pounds
Challenger Alfonso Gomez, 147 pounds

IBF welterweight championship:
Champion Kermit Cintron, 146 1/2 pounds
Challenger Antonio Margarito, 146 1/2 pounds

Click here to watch the weigh-in

-- CASSIDY

It's a busy boxing schedule:

April 11, Showtime (ShoBox): Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs) appears in his first 10-rounder when he meets Carlos “Baby Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (19-2-2, 12 KOs), in a match between the sons of two former world champions.

April 12, HBO: Miguel Cotto defends his WBA welterweight title against 'The Contender's Alfonso Gomez in Atlantic City. Cotto is streaking right now and everyone is mere fodder for this hard-hitting champ until Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally decides to call him. Gomez cashed in on his 'Contender' status which landed him in the ring with an aged Arturo Gatti. This will be a lot different. Also on the card, Kermit Cintron defends IBF welterweight title against Antonio Margarito. Don't look for the winner to meet Cotto. Cotto will probably face Ricardo Mayorga at the Garden in July.

April 12, Showtime: Chad Dawson (25-0) defends WBC 175-pound strap against former champ Glen Johnson (47-11-2) at The St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL. Also, Clinton Woods (41-3-1) meets Antonio Tarver (26-4) for the IBF crown. This should be the start of a light heavyweight unification series. Cuba's Yan Barthelemy, who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and defected from Cuba in December 2006 is also on the card.

April 19, HBO: Joe Calzaghe puts his unbeaten record on the line against 43-year-old Bernard Hopkins at The Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The pick here is Hopkins by decision. At his best, Calzaghe was never as good as Hopkins. Plus, Joe's straight-forward style is taylor-made for B-Hop, who is as good a counter puncher as there is. Don't be fooled by Hopkins showing against Winky Wright, everyone looks bad against Wright.

May 3, HBO: Oscar de la Hoya tunes up for his September rematch against Mayweather by taking on another 'Contender' alumn in Stevie Forbes. Oscar is back on regular HBO, perhaps for the last time. Enjoy him now while you still can. -- CASSIDY