Fight Picks

This week marks the first big boxing weekend of 2005. Last year, I suffered only a single loss. That was the controversial split decision loss by Antonio Tarver to Miami's Glen Johnson. I will predict the notable fights of this weekend.

Friday, January 21, 2005

Juan Diaz vs. Billy Irwin... Diaz by UD
Diaz is the young Texas based fighter who recently won a sanctioning body belt at 135 pounds. Irwin, once a staple on ESPN2's Friday Night Fights cards, hasn't done much in the last few years. The last fight of his I remember was his encounter with Dorin Spivey, where he lost almost every round. The styles would seem to make for a rather lobsided points win by Diaz over the Canadian Irwin.

Calvin Brock vs. Clifford Etienne... Brock by UD
The Black Rhino's best days are behind him. On the bright side, he should last more than the 39 seconds it took Mike Tyson to knock him out two years ago.

Chris Smith vs. David Estrada... Smith by UD
This is a rematch of their last meeting, which Smith won. I'd call this one a toss-up, with a slight lean towards Smith.

Saturday, January 22, 2005

Floyd Mayweather vs. Henry Bruseles... Mayweather by UD
At 140 pounds, I doubt Mayweather has the power to KO a durable fighter in Bruseles. However, the skill deficiency facing Bruseles will be too much to overcome. If I thought this fight could be competitive, I'd actually buy a ticket and go to the AAA Arena. In fact, I still might do so.