Sergio Martinez vs. Sergei Dzinziruk Live on HBO- This fight will either be very entertaining or very boring. There is absolute no in between in this one. For Dzinziruk to win this fight, Dzinziruk will have to at times turn into a right handed fighter to be able to land the type of damaging blow that can change the fight into his favor. Dzinziruk is a southpaw fighter that can put his punches together well, but his approach is very stationary. Martinez on the other hand is a slick southpaw fighter that beats you with angles. Martinez will be the quicker man come fight night, but Martinez?s hand speed will not be his greatest weapon come fight night. Martinez will win this fight by timing Dzinziruk. Dzinziruk should use his timing to offset Martinez?s speed, but standing in a stationary position on a mover like Martinez will be very hard to do, which is why Dzinziruk will need to at times switch into a right handed fighter to be able to strike gold. Martinez by UD.
Miguel Cotto vs. Ricardo Mayorga Live on Showtime PPV- Unlike the fight mentioned above, this fight will be exciting from start to finish. I feel that Cotto?s better boxing ability and higher boxing IQ will be the difference maker. Mayorga will have to go hard and swing with fire and force Cotto to fight moving backwards off his back foot. Mayorga must also tie up Cotto at times and rest his bigger frame on Cotto to help wear Cotto down. I see Cotto boxing and using his hard jab to help control Mayorga and keep Mayorga at safe distance. The thing that scares me is the way that Mayorga throws his power shots, Mayorga loops his shots and if Mayorga is able to land one of those thunderous shots it could place Cotto into a dark place. Cotto will need to use his footwork and more importantly his brain. Strike when needed, not when forced. Cotto by KO inside 9 rounds.
