Predictions: Mosley-Mayorga, Berto-Forbes

The Franchise says...

Has it really been five years since Ricardo Mayorga stunned the boxing world with a knockout victory of Vernon Forrest? He's been living off that win, a narrow decision in the rematch and his cigarette-smoking, profanity-fueled antics for half a decade.

At least he was until earlier this year, when he showed some newfound self-restraint in earning a majority decision over Fernando Vargas. Impressive though that was, Mayorga's foe this weekend looked a lot more impressive in his own pair of wins over Vargas.

Shane Mosley is getting up there in years and no longer throws the ferocious combinations that once overwhelmed opponents at lighter weights. He still hits fast and hits hard though, and he's savvy enough to be a handful for any of the top contenders in his weight class even at his current age, as he proved by giving Miguel Cotto all he could handle last November.

That should be more than enough to get him past El Matador. Expect Mayorga to give the fight some entertainment value, but look for him to break down late as Sugar Shane scores a late-round KO.

In the co-feature, Andre Berto has outgrown the prospect label and comes into his fight with Steve Forbes as the WBC welterweight champion. He throws a deep repertoire of punches with accuracy and power, and he'd be in the most trouble if he faced a patient veteran who could make him pay dearly for any mistakes.

Forbes isn't that guy. Though he's above average in several areas, he's basically zero threat to leave Berto on his back if he gets an opening. Even if he had the power, he's lacking the killer instinct, showing what the announcers called a "sparring partner mentality" in his May loss to Oscar De La Hoya when he seemed pleased just to avoid getting knocked out.

Unless Forbes dazzles Berto with pure skills and exposes some defensive deficiency we haven't seen before, he doesn't look to have enough to beat the champ on the cards. And since he isn't likely to end up on either end of a KO, that only leaves us with the one option: Berto retains by unanimous decision.

Uatu says...
Uatu wanted to make sure that Mayorga made weight, which he did. Shane by late KO/TKO. Mayorga will throw his usual huge shots and will mix in his rough tactics. Eventually the more sound technique and lifestyle of Mosley will win the day.

Berto is younger, stronger and bigger. Forbes hasn't been knocked down before, but he may be a little too small to win. Berto will land big shots throughout and eventually either the ref or Floyd Sr. will stop the fight. Berto by late TKO, but Forbes doesn't stay down for a 10 count. Forbes can't do enough to keep Berto honest for the whole fight.