Weekend Predictions: Kessler-Perdomo, Ward-Pudwill, Calderon-Mayol

The Franchise says...

If you've never seen Mikkel Kessler fight or you just want to get yourself psyched up about Andre Ward's chances in the Super Six World Boxing Classic, you may want to tune into Showtime on Saturday. Otherwise, there doesn't seem to be much of a compelling reason to watch both top super middleweights tune up for the tournament.

On paper, Ward should have the easier time. His opponent, Shelby Pudwill, is almost a decade older, has little power (nine KOs in 22 career wins) and has fought just once since John Duddy knocked him out in the first round three and a half years ago. Yikes.

Unless Ward is looking past his foe to a greater degree than anyone in recent memory, he should have a short night. S.O.G. wins by KO in four rounds or less.

And what do we know about the man Kessler will be facing, Gusmyr Perdomo? Well, he's a lefty with some pop. He's never been knocked out, and he has a cool nickname: the Azucar Torpedo.

I've never seen Perdomo fight, but he hasn't faced anyone with the Viking Warrior's combination of skill and toughness. Just taking a stab at this one, but I see Kessler winning by TKO, thought it may take him longer than Ward.

If you feel like ponying up for a pay-per-view, you can skip the super middleweight tune-ups and watch Ivan Calderon's rematch with Rodel Mayol. The first fight ended as a technical draw, which was fortunate for the undefeated Iron Boy because he looked like he was on his way to his first 'L.'

Having finally seen footage of the first go-round, I can say that Mayol was younger, busier and bigger. None of those things have changed in the last three months.

Calderon has had an incredible run, making double digit successful title defenses at 105 before moving up to 108 and embarking on a nice run there as well. He's crafty enough that you feel like he'll find some answers to the problems that Mayol gave him last time. As we all know, though, Calderon doesn't have the power to end things early, meaning he'll have to be virtually perfect to win.

I hate picking against him, but all things come to an end. Mayol wins by unanimous decision.

Posted by The Franchise

Quick Thoughts on September's Boxing Schedule

We're in a bit of a holding pattern right now as far as big boxing weekends go, as there's nothing of interest on Labor Day weekend. After that though, September is shaping up to be a pretty busy month. Here are my quick thoughts on each Saturday for the rest of the month:

September 12 - Mikkel Kessler vs. Gusmyl Perdomo, Andre Ward vs. Shelby Pudwill (Showtime); Ivan Calderon vs. Rodel Mayol (PPV)

All I have to say is that with all the anticipation that Showtime's Super Six World Boxing Classic has stirred up, Kessler and Ward better take care of business in these tune-up fights. You have to think some parties (say, HBO) wouldn't mind a stumble before the thing even starts, but I think I can safely speak for all true boxing fans and say I hope both gentlemen have quick nights.

As for Calderon, I didn't see his first fight with Mayol (stopped after six rounds due to a cut caused by an accidental headbutt), but it's clear Iron Boy had his hands full. He's always been pretty amazing to me because his lack of power means he can almost only win on the cards - and he always does. At 34, you wonder if his long streak of excellent boxing is about to come to an end.

September 19 - Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Manuel Marquez, Chris John vs. Rocky Juarez (PPV)

I'm not sure if I can remember a huge fight in the last few years that had more questions surrounding it that featured two guys who are still at or near their primes than Floyd-JMM. Right now I'm not sure I can even say with any confidence who the aggressor will be. I hate picking against both guys, so come fight week it's going to be a tough call. I'm leaning toward Floyd right now.

I like John in the rematch with Juarez, though it will be interesting to see who is more fired up: Chris because he feels like he was jobbed in Houston, or Rocky because everyone still thinks he can't win the big one.

September 26 - Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Arreola (HBO)

There's no reason not to think Vitali will win, perhaps easily. Does Arreola have a chance? I can't say until I see how seriously he's taking his conditioning. And given his history, there's not much reason to be optimistic.

Posted by The Franchise

Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Boxers: BoxingWatchers.com End of 2008 List

Thus far, we've resisted doing a pound-for-pound list, simply because everyone does them, and it seems unnecessary to do them as often as some people do. Monthly updates? I don't think so, because it's a really good (and rare) month when more than two boxers in the top 10 are in action.

Still, it doesn't seem ridiculous to do one at the end of the year. So when asked recently by a writer at another site to come up with a top 10, we put our heads together and came up with the following list. Voting was simple, with 10 points for first, nine for second, etc.

The year's not quite over, as there are quite a few notable fights this weekend. None of the men on this list are in action before the end of 2008 though.

Feel free to tell us how wrong we are. Or how right, though that probably won't be as much fun.

Here goes nothing...

BoxingWatchers.com Top 10 Pound-for-Pound Boxers - End of 2008

1. Manny Pacquiao (30 pts.)
2. Joe Calzaghe (25)
3. Bernard Hopkins (24)
4. Juan Manuel Marquez (23)
5. Israel Vazquez (15)
6. Paul Williams (14)
7. Antonio Margarito (13)
8. Kelly Pavlik (9)
9. Ivan Calderon (5)
10. Rafael Marquez (3)

Also receiving votes: Chad Dawson (2), Miguel Cotto (2)

Spartan117's 10 is not enough honorable mentions: Chris John, Ricky Hatton, Vic Darchinyan

Latin Fury

At this point, would his handlers have him fight someone that could beat him? Not yet.

Chavez Jr
KO

Arce "Lollipop Cowboy"
ditto for the reason, ditto for the result
KO

Calderon
Joke has been told before but...
Death, Taxes, Calderon UD12