The Neutral Corner

Antonio Margarito defends his WBA welterweight title against Sugar Shane Mosley, Saturday night, at The Staples Center, in Los Angeles, CA.

Here are the picks:

Continue reading "Predictions: Antonio Margarito vs. Sugar Shane Mosley" »

Here are the picks for Saturday's fight between Roy Jones Jr. and Joe Calzaghe at Madison Square Garden. The fight will be televised by HBO PPV. Also, look for video predictions at the end of this post:

Mike Rose, Newsday: "This is a big fight for both Roy Jones and Joe Calzaghe. Calzaghe wants to end his career unbeaten. A win by Jones would restore his brilliance. Those losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson are still fresh in my mind. This fight comes down to Jones bringing his best. Calzaghe suffered a first-round knockdown and won a split decision over Bernard Hopkins. I don't think Calzaghe can avoid a slow start against Jones. I see Jones coming out strong and staying on the offensive all night. If Jones brings his best, I just don't see Calzaghe winning. Jones wins by unanimous decision."

Marcus Henry, Newsday: "Roy Jones Jr. was his usual confident self at his media workout. The question is can his body match the hype? Jones hasn't beaten anyone of note since winning a major decision against Antonio Tarver in 2003. He looked great against Felix Trinidad, but Felix was a shell of his former self. Calzaghe hasn't fought a boxer the caliber of Jones. While Mikkel Kessler, Bernard Hopkins and Jeff Lacy were quality opponents, none of them has the mix of speed and power Jones has. But Calzaghe has proven he has the heart and drive to take on anyone. And he isn't the least bit intimidated by Jones. Bottom line: Jones can't play it safe and stay on the outside and pounce against Calzaghe like he did against Trinidad. Unlike Trinidad, Calzaghe will bring the fight to Jones and pepper him with punches. If Jones plays the dancing game, Calzaghe will out-point him. I like Calzaghe in a split decision."

Continue reading "Predictions on the Joe Calzaghe-Roy Jones fight" »

A pair of former middleweight champions -- Iran Barkley and Vito Antuofermo -- weighed in this week on some upcoming fights.

Oscar De La Hoya vs. Manny Pacquiao

Barkley: That is a fight that is going to favor De La Hoya. Pacquaio is coming up to be a big man but I have to go with De La Hoya, I think Oscar will win. But it could be an interesting fight. Manny is nothing to sleep on."

Antuorermo: "Why would anyone want to see this fight? It is a shame that a great fighter in Pacquiao is fighting this fight. Pacquiao may have a shot to win but in the end I don't think he'll have much of a chance."

Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins

Barkley: "Hopkins-Pavlik is going to be an interesting fight. I am going with Bernard Hopkins. Kelly Pavlik is like the new guy on the block. He just popped up out of nowhere. He still has a long way to go experience-wise, so I am going to go with the experienced guy. Only if Bernard does not do what he is supposed to do will the inexperienced guy come and snatch that away. Bernard has to forget that he has been world champion, he has to just forget everything and say I am going to take what's mine, I am going to stand for what's mine. If I want this legacy to be where it is that's what I have to do."

Antuofermo: " I like Pavlik. He is younger and bigger. If it was Hopkins 5 years or ten years ago I would give it to Hopkins. Pavlik is bigger and has a long reach. Hopkins never fought guys like Pavlik and he (Hopkins) will be in trouble. You have to go with the younger guy."

Paulie Malignaggi vs. Ricky Hatton

Barkley: "That is another interesting fight. My heart is with Paulie Malignaggi because Paulie is such a good guy but he has hand problems so that he will have to tough it out ....he will have to handle it. I think he is ready to do what he has to do."

IRAN 'THE BLADE' BARKLEY Photos courtesy Gary D. Morgan

These predictions were compiled by Gary D. Morgan

-- CASSIDY

On Saturday, at 9 p.m., Miguel Cotto takes on Antonio Margarito in a welterweight title fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Here are Newsday's predictions:

Wallace Matthews: I like Cotto by decision in a terrific fight because he just does more things better than Margarito does, and the move up to 147 has made him a much better and more durable fighter than he was at 140. Margarito has a great chin which is why I think this one goes the distance, but his attack is too limited and dependent on the left hook for him to beat Cotto.

Marcus Henry: This fight is being billed as the fight of the year. And for good reason. With Floyd Mayweather "retired", Cotto was instantly touted the best welterweight in the world. He'll get a chance to prove it in what should be a great matchup. For Margarito, it's the fight of his career. With no big-time wins under his belt, Margarito needs to put on a good showing. But I doubt that will be the case. Margarito hasn't faced a fighter with the power of Cotto. Margarito's aggressiveness and power should serve him well, but Cotto has one of the toughest chins in the business. In 32 career fights Cotto has been hurt seriously twice (Ricardo Torres, DeMarcus Corley). But in both fights he recovered quickly and won by knockout. This fight will be brutal and bloody. But Margarito will walk into one. Cotto by knockout in round 6.

Mario Gonzalez: I think it will be a brutal fight with plenty of close rounds between Cotto and Margarito. In the end, I think Cotto will pull out the victory by a split decision.

Mike Rose: The Mexico-Puerto Rico rivalry has a tremendous history in boxing. I expect this fight to be another great one in the rivalry. While Margarito is a very good fighter, Cotto is better. Cotto can box and he moves well. I think Cotto can counter what will be an undoubtedly relentless attack by Margarito by using his jab. Cotto needs to have a fast start -- something he doesn't always do. Margarito will look to gain momentum and win rounds early because once Cotto gets going he is unstoppable. Margarito is the stronger puncher, but I think Cotto's skill wins the fight. Cotto by unanimous decision.

Bobby Cassidy: This is a tremendous matchup, one of the best the sport has to offer right now. And I agree with Mike Rose, this will only bolster the great rivalry between Mexican and Puerto Rican champions. Cotto is one of the hottest fighters in the game. He has power and speed and a tremendous left hook. But the fact that Cotto has been hurt by lesser punchers than Margarito -- Torres, Corley and Judah -- says a lot. His one weakness aligns perfectly with Margarito's greatest strength. Power. I think it will be a war, but Margarito scores a 10th-round TKO to upset Cotto.

Jose Moreno: This fight will pit Cotto’s boxing ability against the chaos that is Margarito. While Cotto has the power and stamina to rumble with anyone in his weight class, he will try to dictate the pace of the fight by controlling a “safe” distance with a jab or three punch combo. Margarito wants exactly the opposite. He needs chaos and a close brawl where he can use his unorthodox punching angles to overwhelm Cotto with a constant barrage of punches. But Margarito should be careful. If (and when) Margarito swarms him, Cotto has the ability to land his patented and devastating left hook to the body. While Cotto hasn’t faced anyone of Margarito’s intensity, his wins over Zab Judah and Shane Mosely are evidence of his superior boxing technique as well as his ability to adapt. Cotto will win by decision.

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.