**** Kirks Championships 2013 ****

Andy Ruiz Jr tko
Evgeny Gradovich tko
Keith Thurman tko
Andre Berto tko

 

Ruiz Jr Wide UD
Gradovich Close UD
Estrada Close UD
Thurman Wide UD
Berto Close UD
Figueroa Wide UD

 

Suggestion. How about tinkering with the KO rule a bit when 2 guys both pick the same fighter to win by KO. Rather than just have whoever picks closest to the KO round getting the advantage of a 10-9, we mandate an equal amount of rounds.

For example in the above scenario, 1 fighter has 2x the odds of getting a 10-9 round. My suggestion would be that if 1 guy has 2 rounds other than his KO round, then the other guys should only have an equal amount.

So, if Aries can get a 10-9 round if a KO occurs in rounds 11 or 12, then nelly should only get a 10-9 if a KO occurs in rounds 3 or 4.

Just a thought in the interest of keeping it fair.

 

because of our disease we share
i am probably a bit biased
but this is simply
a phenomenal and touching vid
great upload boss

 

It's always up to kirk.
To be honest, I like the TKO rules as they are. It all depends on you and there are few draw round. Also it's not like in reality the odds are always equally distributed.
If I would have the chance to change something I would do it for the UD's that have only two options - Close and Wide - and they result in many draw rounds. I would like to be able to pick the exact round ratio (eg:9-3 or 7-5 rounds), a little similar to picking the round of a TKO, and by that having more options and fewer Draw round. But it might complicate things even further, and drive guys away. Some might not like to think so in-depth about every fight. And some might not actually have the time and energy to do so.

 

7/27 - Andy Ruiz Jr vs. Joe Hanks - Ruiz Jr. TKO
7/27 - Evgeny Gradovich vs. Mauricio Javier Munoz - Gradovich UD
7/27 - Omar Figueroa vs. Nihito Arakawa - Figueroa UD
7/27 - Keith Thurman vs. Diego Gabriel Chaves - Thurman TKO
7/27 - Andre Berto vs. Jesus Soto Karass - Berto TKO

 

I agree with u about the UD's. but also about over complicating it.

The KO thing I find strange because it weighs the odds in favor of 1 guy over the other. Potentially, significantly so. Why would I pick a late round KO if I know the guy I'm squaring off against could simply pick 1 round earlier and get the entire rest of the fight to his advantage?

Just a thought.

 

Andy Ruiz Jr vs. Joe Hanks- Andy Ruiz Jr. KO2

We finally have a good boxing Saturday. All month long it's been pretty dire. There's been a couple of fights here and there, but nothing that gets the heart rate pumping. Not enough fights, and the fights that have been scheduled just haven't been all that interesting for one reason or another. A lot of mismatches. This week, well, the matches we have aren't exactly the best, but at least we have a lot of quantity. HBO2 will be broadcasting a couple of fights in China for the second time this year, and later on in the day Showtime will have a few fights as well. So, at least we have something this Saturday morning and night. With all these fights, let's talk about them and break them down a bit.

Early in the morning the heavyweights will be rumbling about in China. Another Heavyweight coming from the United States will be taking a big step up in competition. Joe Hanks will be taking on a Heavyweight prospect that has now started to generate a lot of buzz. Andy Ruiz Jr. is a big man...a very big man. He's not pretty to look at, but so far he's gotten the job done. He weigh ins typically at around 250, a lot of jelly rolls...man boobs and what not. But, again, he does get the job done and he is a talented fighter. He has surprisingly quick hands for a (very) big man. He bobs and weaves coming in, uses an effective jab, and when he does put together punches in bunches they get their quick and they do a lot of damage. He has had a diet of doughnut and cupcakes. In terms of his diet and his competition. So, is he for real? We don't know yet, but just look at his boxing ability and he definitely looks like he has the goods.

Now, let's talk about Joe Hanks. We briefly touched upon him at the top. Hanks is a U.S. Heavyweight prospect, and much like Ruiz he is taking a big step up as well. In this case, I do think Ruiz has fought the better competition of the two fighters. Ruiz may be eating doughnuts and cupcakes, but so has Hanks...just may be not as his diet. Hanks is a pretty tall fighter, in shape, and in pretty good condition. He has a pretty good jab, and he throws a lot of punches as well and pretty quick. The problem with that is this could very easily be his undoing. He throws a lot of punches and leaves himself exposed. Hanks doesn't have much defense, he keeps his hands low, and his head and chin just stick out there. Also, Hanks doesn't have much power, so he has been pushed back at times versus outmatched small fighters.

All in all, he may potentially be in for a world of hurt when he fights someone pretty good and Ruiz is pretty good. I favor Ruiz in this fight and I think this will be a short night. I think Ruiz comes in and presses Hanks, and Hanks breaks down as the minutes wear on. I'm backing Ruiz in this fight and I think he gets Hanks out of there in about 3 rounds. Don't go into the kitchen to get a beer....or cereal...depending on when you watch this fight; this should be a short fight.



Evgeny Gradovich vs. Mauricio Javier Munoz- Evgeny Gradovich TKO10

Evegeny Gradovich and Mauricio Javier Munoz are both interesting fighters in a sense that both are coming off big upset victories. Gradovich, as you might remember, beat up Billy Dib on Friday Night Fights a few months back. He really did a number on Dib, and luckily got the decision. Gradovich just come forward, gloves up, hammering to the body, hammering to the head, blooding up Dib, and got the victory. It was a Split Decision victory, unfortunately, Don Ackerman saw it differently as he scored it 114-112 in favor of Dib. Nevertheless, at least Gradovich got the decision and the belt he deserved.

Munoz has a chance to win that world title belt after beating undefeated Cuban, Luis Franco. Munoz’ fight with Franco was an interesting one because it was a close fight. It was a tit-for-tat-every-round-hard-to-score affair. But, being that Munoz was fighting in Argentina he ended up getting the close nod. I favor Gradovich by a pretty good margin. Munoz was getting pushed back by Franco who is exactly the strongest fighter on the planet. Gradovich is much stronger and can really bang down to the body. With a full training camp under his belt, Gradovich will be in top condition and I do think he’ll breakdown Munoz in the later rounds. This is a pretty big step up for Munoz and even though he is from Argentina, and fighters from Argentina have been on a heck of a roll, I don’t think he’s on that level…at least, not yet. May be this will be his coming out party and he just needs a top level opponent like Gradovich. We’ll see, though. I’m not banking on that, though. I’m rolling with Gradovich by late stoppage.

Juan Francisco Estrada vs. Milan Melindo- Milan Melindo SD (close)

Juan Francisco Estrada pulled off one of the biggest upsets this year as he really took it to 2011 Fighter of the Year, and one of the top Pound 4 Pound fighters in the game, Brian Viloria. Estrada was brought in as a really tough fighter, but someone that had already lost to another top P4P fighter in Roman Gonzalez. He gave a good account of himself, but Gonzalez was too much for him. And in 2011, at the time, Estrada lost to Juan Carlos Sanchez Jr. Not really a big deal at the time. But, looking back, that was a big fight for both fighters and really not a terrible loss on Estrada’s resume. Sanchez ended up being one of the top fighters in 2012 pulling off a couple of upsets. Overall, Estrada is a really good fighter.

He’s fighting undefeated Milan Melindo. This is a very big step up for Melindo. He’s undefeated, but hasn’t really fought anyone. He did beat a very fat Jesus Geles, that’s a nice win, but nothing really top level that makes you go ‘wow’. So, this is a big fight for Melindo and this won’t be easy. He’s the smaller fighter, and his game is to box on the outside. That right there is a tough ask when you are fighting someone that’s bigger, and stronger than you who has experience at the top level. Everything points to Estrada winning by late stoppage, but I’m going to go against the grain and pick Melindo by (probably) a gift Split Decision victory. I think Melindo is good enough to take a few rounds, wear down late, but make it to the finish line…and end up winning a controversial SD victory. I don’t know, just a hunch.


Omar Figueroa vs. Nihito Arakawa- Omar Figueroa KO3


Omar Figueroa is quickly becoming one of the most exciting fighters in all of boxing. At this point in his career he’s sort of a Mexican version of James Kirkland of 4-5 years ago. Figueroa comes forward, doesn’t stop, and takes punches to the chin. It’s that old saying, he gets offended if you don’t hit him. It’s a dangerous style as it is, but he takes it to the next level. As he comes forward and throws combos, he has a tendency to switch stances as he throws and moves. This is a very reckless style that he operates in and it will cost him down the line. He will get seriously hurt if he continues to do that. Will this be the fight that exposes that major flaw in his game? Probably not. Nihito Arakawa is a solid fighter, but that’s about it. He’s got heavy feet, okay jab, decent hand speed. He’s a decent fighter, but doesn’t do anything special. I think Figueroa, even at this stage in his career is a couple of levels above him.

This is a bit of a showcase fight. Much like in Figueroa’s last fight versus Abner Cotto. Only, Arakawa is a much better fighter compared to Cotto. So, this is a step in the right direction, but still pretty much a showcase fight. This fight should end early and Figueroa will be fighting like it. If you have friends that have short attention fans, recommend them watching this fight. Figueroa is going to be running towards Arakawa. He’ll be delivering some pain, and probably taking a few shots himself. I’ve got Figueroa by early stoppage

 

Keith Thurman vs. Diego Gabriel Chaves- Keith Thurman UD (close, but somewhat clear type decision 116-112) type scorecards)

On Showtime, the co-feature is the best fight on paper. Keith Thurman is now the young up and coming prospect that is being pushed to become the next superstar in boxing. And I do give Thurman and his handlers credit. Thurman is going about it the right way and taking all the right steps. In his last fight he took on the very tough, very sturdy Jan Zaveck and Thurman passed the test with flying colors. He easily out pointed Zaveck and he ended up buzzing Zaveck at a couple of points during the fight. Even though Thurman didn’t knock him out he did prove that his power his pretty legit. So, after beating a very quality opponent in Zaveck, he’s now stepping up again and is on the cusp of fighting some of the top echelon fighters at 147/154. But, first, he needs to get pass Diego Chaves, and you know what? It’s not going to be easy. In fact, this fight I would put on upset alert. Chaves is another one of these tough Argentine fighters. Chaves has got the looks. He has got the tattoos, and he has got the seek and destroy attitude of his Argentine counterparts Lucas Matthysse and Marcos Maidana.

Chaves comes in and looks to end the fight with his power early. Chaves comes after you with left hooks, straight right crosses, and at times it is intelligent pressure. He will be mindful of his defense. It isn’t the best, but at least he tries. He’ll lean back and put his right glove up, but leave his left hand dangling just a bit. He is open to straight right hands. If Thurman can straighten out his punches - he does have a tendency to really loop his shots and throw this extremely wide punches - but, if Thurman can straighten his punches out he should have some success.

This should be the best fight of the night. Not only in terms of entertainment value, but competitively this should a fun one to watch. If you only had to watch one fight on Saturday night, I’d recommend watching this one. There are a lot of unknowns as both guys usually take out their opponents early in the fight. Neither fighter has really been pushed for 12 rounds in a competitive affair. We may very well see them tested and pushed for 12 rounds Saturday night. Not only that, but again, both guys throw a lot of shots, and they really put some mustard on those shots. They are looking to end the fight with some big shots.

All in all, both guys are flawed, but powerful. Thurman throws wide, looping shots. Meanwhile, when Chaves is coming forward and throwing his bombs, he has a tendency to get off balance and put himself in a position where he can be countered. So, it’ll be interesting. Will this fight go into deep waters? If it does, who will hold up in the end? I do think Chaves will be right there in the end. Chaves has a very big heart, very determined, and I do trust his whiskers. Thurman, we’ll see. I do think Thurman will hold up in the end, but he should be pushed and win a pretty competitive decision. Even if he does lose, he’ll more than likely get the nod on the scorecards anyway. So, the smart pick is Thurman, but we’ll see what happens in the fight. It really should be a good one. A summer sleeper hit.

 

Burgos TKO9

 

7/26 -R5-Josenilson Dos Santos WUD - Wide
7/26 -R6- Juan Carlos Burgos WKO9th

Sorry, work is keeping me away from the important things.

 

This content is protected

 

This content is protected

(ranked #2) vs

This content is protected

(Ranked #3)

R1

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R2

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

 

Missing the Ruiz Jr. vs Hanks pick....

 

This content is protected

(Ranked #4) vs

This content is protected

(Ranked #5)

R2

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R3

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R4

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R5

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R6

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R7

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

R8

This content is protected

-

This content is protected

SR

This content is protected

This content is protected