June 2nd at the Home Depot Center, California: 1. Antonio Tarver vs Lateef Kayode (IBO Cruiserweight Title) Tarver is past his best, but proved against Danny Green that he's not quite done yet. Tarver allegedly got this fight off the back of his criticism of Kayode in his role as a Showtime commentator. The undefeated Kayode is a limited but fun banger. Prediction: Tarver UD. 2. Peter Quillin vs Winky Wright (10 round non-title fight) Winky hasn't fought in three years, and only once in nearly five years. In his last fight against Paul Williams in April 2009, Wright looked poor. He's 40-years-old now. "Kid Chocolate" will be looking to make a statement here, and continue his run of five consecutive KOs. But Winky has fought at a much higher level than Quillin, and has never been stopped. Prediction: Quillin UD 3. Austin Trout vs Delvin Rodriguez (WBA "regular" world title fight) An intriguing match-up between two underrated fighters. Rodriguez is coming off an impressive victory over Pawel Wolak. Trout is an undefeated "world champion" with a paper-thin resume but definite talent. Trout will look to box and control range with his southpaw jab. Rodriguez will bring the pressure and look to take Trout into deep waters. This one is tough to call. Prediction: Trout UD 4, Leo Santa Cruz vs Vusi Malinga (vacant IBF bantamweight title fight) Undefeated GBP prospect Santa Cruz takes on former world title challenger Malinga for the belt recently vacated by Abner Mares. Santa Cruz has stopped his last nine opponents. Malinga has fought at a higher level, but was stopped in one round by Hozumi Hasegawa is his sole world title shot. Prediction: Santa Cruz TKO 10
Tarver UD Quillin UD Trout SD (possibly some "could have gone either way" like win, in wich the homefighter always gets it) Cruz TKO7
I hate to be nitpicky, but I don;t really like Trout/Rodriguez. . . It's a good fight with two primed, evenly matched fighters in terms of skill, and ability, but the STYLE matchup won't be very entertaining. . . Neither one will want to press the action. . . Eh, whatever, I'm not gonna complain, at least it's not Trout vs "mismatch, handpicked opponent". . . Kid Choco vs. Wright is a mismatch. . . Wright @ 160 doesn't have what it takes to beat these young, fast guys anymore. . . I'd be surprised if he won more than 3 rounds. . . Probably not the best fight to watch, but I could be wrong. . I am kinda glad to see Winky again. The best fight will almost certainly be Santa Cruz/Malinga. Cruz stops him mid to late rounds. Tarver/Kayode has potential to be a ******* (C R A C K E R - no racist!) as well - especially if Kayode presses the fight, and doesn't get discouraged early from eating some clean counters. . . Tarver should be too experienced. .
Do you not think Rodriguez will try to press the fight? I don't see him trying to outbox Trout for 12 rounds.
I see him trying to go "tit for tat" with Trout in the center of the ring. . . Or trying to counterpunch him. . . I just don't see him trying to press the action... It's in his nature to fight off the back foot.
You might be right. I can see Trout outboxing him though and Rodriguez having to force a war. I might be overrating Trout's boxing ability but what I've seen of him has impressed me. It's a hard fight to call.
