Boxing is amazing, isn't it? - And more unexpected results are coming! Look inside

What an amazing start of the year, reminding us that odds are made outside of the ring, but fights are fought inside of it. First Ramirez stuns Alexeev, then Mosley knocks out Margarito, two type of results that shocked the world.

What is amazing that in boxing, that due to several reasons, there are factors making predictions 100% sure impossible. And even upcoming mismatches (on paper) like Cotto-Jennings and Pavlik-Rubio offer some interesting factors not to overlook. In the upcoming weeks, many fights have unpredictability written all over them. So how about giving these fights a value, 1/5 meaning slight unpredictability in fight, and 5/5 being totally unpredictable. Hopefull this makes sense.



Cotto-Jennings: Cotto is heavily favored, but even his shots took out a lot of Margarito and it was Cotto, who ended up on the canvas, blood over his face. This could be a factor. Same for Pavlik-Rubio, Kelly took a hell of a beating and has to move down in weight, and we just can’t predict it’s effects. Both fights has 1/5 unpredictability factor.

Ngoudjo-Urango: Very even fight at the betting offices, but the fight itself could be one-sided one way or another - either slick, defensive Ngoudjo outboxing the aggressive Urango, or the hard-punching Argentinean making it a hard-hitting fight. Hard to see which style will prevail. 3/5.

Kotelnik-Maidana: Classical boxer vs. puncher match-up, and we just don't know whether Maidana can bring his aggression and stunning power to the elite or how he can handle Kotelnik's pure counter-punching style. Kotelnik is favored, but unpredictability value is still 3/5.

Darchinyan-Arce: with Darchinyan being knocked out a year ago and Arce having one punch KO power, you just can't write off Arce because he looked faded. It’s two puncher’s fight, so we only have a favorite, but not a guaranteed winner. 2/5

Chagaev-Drumond: WBA champ returns after a long break and a very serious injury vs. unknown undefeated fighter. Ruslan is heavily favored, but so little info on his condition or on opponent. 2/5

Angulo-Mayorga: what difference a few days can make: Angulo, an aggressive fighter with a very similar style to Margarito, just knocked out, is heavily favored vs. Mayorga, who was stopped by Mosley, but in a very competitive fight, with many having Mayorga ahead on cards. It's a huge step-up for Angulo and we just don't know how good he is on that level or how well Mayorga will look after his last second loss. 4/5

Campbell-Funeka: a year out of the ring due to Joanine Guzman, two unexpected stoppage losses to Peden in the past, an amazing performance vs. Diaz in 2008 and Funeka, untested, but coming from a huge KO win over Raheem - despite Campbell being favored, this is so unpredictable. 3/5.

Sergio Martinez - Kermit Cintron. Cintron is actually a very good fighter with superb power and great physical gifts. Just like Martinez, his only defeat(s) is to Margarito. But it’s a completely different match-up in style for both guys. It's Martinez' is slick and fast style (heavily favored) vs. Cintron's jabbing and hard combos. 2/5

Ortiz-Arnaoutis: Ortiz is heavily favored, but fast, skilled Arnaoutis offers a style Victor is completely untested against. Never been stopped and most thought he beat Torres, the Greek fighter might offer a lot of difficulties. 1/5

Kirkland-Julio: power vs. power, lack of tight defense vs. lack of tight defense, two coming forward punchers with decent chins. And while Kirkland is favored, Julio's two losses were against tricky southpaw counter-punchers, so it’s a completely different situation for him. I'm not overly impressed with Kirkland, I see Julio as a very live underdog, so it’s an outcome hardly predictable. 3/5



Well, that’s it for the next few weeks. Boxing offers us competitive fights with factors that can produce many upsets and unexpected results. And that’s when our sport is exciting, when you sit down, and the only thing you can expect is having a good time.