Yoan Pablo Hernandez v Cesar David Crenz
DATE: 3/13/2010
VENUE: Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
PREDICTION: Yoan Pablo Hernandez
What should be an easy night for cuban prospect Hernandez, he was shocked by Wayne Braithwaite when he was stopped in 3 rounds after having Braithwaie on the canvas, but there should be no shocks here Crenz has lost on the occassions he has stepped up in class, look for a mid round stoppage win for Hernandez or potentially earlier if he catches Crenz, Crenz is a very tall cruiserweight at 6'5" so he may be able to keep Hernandez at bay for a while.
Alexander Povetkin v Javier Mora
DATE: 3/13/2010
VENUE: Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
PREDICTION: Alexander Povetkin
Povetkin is quickly becoming the most avoided man in the heavyweight division, he has fought 3 times since winning an IBF elimiator fight against Eddie Chambers in January 2008 but Chambers seems to have jumped above him and is fighting for the title next month. Povetkin was the 2004 Olympic gold medalist and is unbeaten as a pro at 18-0 with scalps such as Larry Donald, Chris Bryd and obviously Chambers on his record already. I am not convinced Povetkin is good enough to beat either of the Klitschko's but I think he will be the man that takes over when they retire. Mora hits hard but has lost when stepping up I would imagine Povetkin will get rid of him pretty quickly, I don't think this fight will last much longer than 3-4 rounds.
Alexander Frenkel v Michael Simms
DATE: 3/13/2010
VENUE: Max Schmeling Halle, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, Germany
PREDICTION: Alexander Frenkel
Frenkel is quickly establishing himself as one of the top guys in the division, he now faces a tough test in the form of Simms, Simms was a great amateur but has struggled in the professional ranks and not achieved the levels that many thought he would, he blows very hot and cold, he actually has the ability to be one of the best but he lacks dedication and rarely comes into fights in good shape, nevertheless he has never been stopped, and he always gives his opponents a tough fight no matter what shape he comes in, he was robbed against Yoan Pablo Hernandez and then again against Matt Godfrey recently, a whole lot depends on what condition Simms comes into the fight, the safe money is Frenkel winning on points but Simms has the ability to cause a shock and if he comes to win don't rule him out.
Sebastien Demers v William Joppy
DATE: 3/6/2010
VENUE: Montreal Casino, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
PREDICTION: Sebastien Demers
A very interesting fight, in his day I think Joppy would have won this fight fairly easily, however he is certainly no longer in his prime, in fact it has been 8 years since he has beaten a decent opponent. Joppy however will retain his big punch and will be very dangerous in the first half of the fight, he also gave IBF champion Lucian Bute a real tough time before being stopped in the 10th 2 years ago. I think for Demers to win this fight he has to have a good game plan and stick to it, he need to avoid the power early and work hard on the body of Joppy, Demers was stopped in 3 round by Arthur Abraham so he can be taken out early if he runs into something. I think it should be a good fight, I think Demers should win, but don't rule out Joppy coming back with a big performance.
Ulises Solis v Bert Batawang
DATE: 3/6/2010
VENUE: Mexico
PREDICTION: Ulises Solis
Despite his big punch and impressive record Batawang has tended to lose when stepping up in class, Solis is the former long time IBF title holder he lost it to Brian Viloria in 2009 and he is desperate to get it back, this eliminator should get him the opportunity to again fight for his title that he held for almost 4 years. It should be a decent fight but I think Solis should win will probably in the mid to later rounds.
Saul Alvarez v Brian Camechis
DATE: 3/6/2010
VENUE: Palenque de la Feria, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico
PREDICTION: Saul Alvarez
What should be a fairly easy nights work for Alvarez, Camechis has lost on the occassions he has stepped up in class, and Alvarez is the best opponent he will have faced to date, to for a mid round stoppage.
Daniel Estrada v Angel Alirio Rivero
DATE: 2/27/2010
VENUE: Coliseo Olimpico de la UG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
PREDICTION: Daniel Estrada
This is potentially the toughest test of Estrada's career to date, he did lose a close decison earlier in his career but it was in his 5th professional fight. This was against a fellow prospect and he only lost via a split decision and that fighter is now 16-0. Rivero blows very hot and cold, he tends to lose when stepping up in class and is occasionally stopped, Estrada is a big puncher and should win this fight in the mid rounds, if not earlier.
Marvin Sonsona v Wilfredo Vazquez Jr
DATE: 2/27/2010
TITLE: WBO Super Bantamweight Title
VENUE: Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
PREDICTION: Wilfredo Vazquez Jr
Unbeaten Sonsona steps up in weight after failing to make the 115lb limit last time out and immediatly gets a chance to fight for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title, Vazquez Jr is naturally the bigger guy having competed up to 128lbs, and never below 121, he is also undeated and it should be a great fight, but I think with experience and size advantages for Vazquez this is a big ask for Sonsona, at 19 I think he has a great future ahead of him but he started his career at 106lbs and has never fought anyone bigger than 115lbs, so I am favouring Vazquez in this fight but I think we will see a lot more of Sonsona in the future.
Zolani Tete v Richard Garcia
DATE: 2/26/2010
VENUE: Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
PREDICTION: Zolani Tete
Great test for the big punching, southpaw prospect, Tete. He is currently 12-0 (11KO's) and already picked up, and defended the WBF title and the African WBO titles. Garcia was once regarded as a fairly limited opponent that was generally knocked out when stepping up in class, but he has really turned things around recently and has not lost in 6 fights, 5 wins and a draw against some pretty decent opposition. I think the power of Tete may be too much but this is certainly a good test for him. Look for a mid round stoppage, or earlier if he catches Garcia, but I wouldn't be surprised if Garcia gave him a tough time while this fight lasts.
Rodel Mayol v Omar Nino Romero
DATE: 2/26/2010
TITLE: WBC light flyweight title
VENUE: Coliseo Olimpico de la UG, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico
PREDICTION: Rodel Mayol
A very interesting fight, both of these guys blow very hot and cold, if both of them turn up to fight we could be witnesses to one of the fights of the year. Champion Mayol is coming off a career best win and is the favourite to win, but Romero on his day is capable of beating anyone, his career has been over shadowed with a failed drug test back in 2006 after a draw with Brian Viloria, this saw him banned from the ring for 18 months, but since his return he has won 3 from 4 fights. You don't many great matchups at this weight due to the lack of depth in the divison, but this should be a great fight and I am favouring Mayol but this could go either way.