When the Manny Pacquiao-Shane Mosley fight is the highlight of the year so far, one can only hope that 2011 gets better for boxing. And while the fall slate of fights is respectable, there’s nothing on it that suggests it will allow the year to recover.
A preview Aug. 14, Joseph Agbeko, 28-2 (22 knockouts) vs. Abner Mares, 21-0-1 (13 KOs), IBF bantamweight title, Las Vegas: The finale to the Showtime bantamweight tournament oughta be a barnburner. Mexico’s Mares is younger and fresher than Ghana’s Agbeko, which should prove the difference. My odds: Mares 2-1. Early pick: Mares by decision. Aug. 27, Marcos Maidana, 30-2, (27 KOs) vs. Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero, 29-1-1 (18 KOs), San Jose,
Calif: Maidana is always a threat. But Erik Morales proved the Argentine can be outboxed, and California’s “Ghost” Guerrero proved himself against Michael Katsidis. My odds: Maidana 2-1. Early pick: Guerrero by decision. Sept. 3, Jan Zaveck, 31-1 (18 KOs) vs. Andre Berto, 27-1 (21 KOs), IBF welterweight title, Biloxi, Miss.: Berto will be coming off his stunning April loss to Victor Ortiz in what is probably the “Fight of the Year.” IBF’s 147-pound champ Zaveck is lacking in comp. My odds: Berto 2-1. Early pick: Berto by decision.
