TalkingBoxing Articles
Talking Boxing Staff Picks Lacy/Calzaghe
FRI March 3, STAFF -
Richard McManus: Calzaghe by Decision
Lacy/Calzaghe: Calzaghe’s brand of aggressiveness and southpaw punching style might pose problems for Lacy. He knows how to win and knows how to pull the rod out of the fire. Lacy also knows how to win but it remains to be seen if he can deal with the pressure of Calzaghe. Prediction: Calzaghe by decision.
Roger Gordillo: Lacy by TKO, Cotto by TKO
Lacy/Calzaghe: Lacy will just be too much for the aging Super Middleweight champ who is coming off an injury in his last fight. This is the fight Lacy has always wanted with great intensity and passion, look for Lacy to come into the fight with that same passion and intensity in a nonstop action packed pace forcing Calzaghe to quit on his stool in the second half of the fight possibly claiming from injury. Lacy TKO in the latter rounds.
Cotto/Branco: With Branco on the move trying to keep his distance and Box mixed in with Cotto’s cool and controlled pressure. The first few rounds maybe a snoozer with Cotto picking up the pace in the later rounds pressuring Branco he will take a couple of knees with the Ref halting the fight in that round or a round or two later as the third man in the ring decides Cotto just seems to be too much for the Italian fighter.
Buster Paris: Calzaghe by Decision, Cotto by UD
Lacy/Calzaghe: Finally it’s here – Jeff “Hook” Lacy and Joe “Italian Dragon” Calzaghe are going to mix it up for all the marbles…well at the very least for the most important belt out there – the Ring Magazine Super Middleweight title. Calzaghe is ranked #1 Super Middleweight by Ring Magazine and Lacy is ranked #3. Both hold other belts from other sanctioning bodies. As a disciple of the Sweet Science I’m very much looking forward to this fight – mostly for it’s historical significance – in that 2 undefeated and highly praised warriors are finally going at it - and I’m very interested in seeing how my fellow writers and fellow boxing fans carry the demand and excitement of the Ring Magazine’s rating system, but that’s a whole other story. Anyway – I want Joe to win and I think he’s going to, but I’m worried that the venue might play a role in that – that Lacy will actual win, but Calzaghe gets the hometown nod. You know – if it were in the US I’d probably feel the same way, but the roles reversed. LONG story short – it’s going to be a great and brutal fight, but in the end Joe Calzaghe wins a close decision – he’s just got too much experience and grit for Lacy to overcome.
Cotto/Branco: Miguel Cotto (ranked #2 Jr. Welterweight on Ring rating) vs. Gianluca Branco (not rated in top 10) – I’ll be brief here – Branco’s a tough fighter and has a chance, but Cotto keeps improving with every fight and is one of the more technically talented fighters out there. This will be another good test for Miguel – I say Cotto wins unanimous decision.
Lastly and equally as interesting – before these great Saturday night fights Sam Soliman (rated #6 on the Ring’s list of Middleweights) is fighting Raul Munoz – he’ll win - if you can catch it give it a look - Soliman's fun to watch. I’m bummed that he’s not fighting the Ring Middleweight Champion and multi belt holder Jermain “Bad Intentions” Taylor - let me let you in on a secret – I think Sam can beat Jermain Taylor…his style is just the thing to do it.
Carl Rice: Lacy by KO 5, Cotto by TKO 7
Lacy/Calzaghe: I will admit that I have long thought that Joe Calzaghe has been overrated by the boxing public. His grandstanding about fighting the best, then fighting C level competition has bored me to the point of not even paying attention when he speaks anymore. I will also admit that I certain thought this fight wouldn't happen because of a new "injury". But low and behold, Calzaghe held up...but perhaps he shouldn't have because he's in for the fight of his life against Jeff Lacy, a rough and rugged young Olympian who's ready for the big time. I don't feel Calzaghe has the power to keep Lacy off, he's not a good enough boxer to stay away from Lacy, his speed is diluted because of his punching mechanics, and his level of competition has been at best unfortunate and at worst embarrassing. Lacy KO 5 Calzaghe. I was going to say 3 but Calzaghe has been a champion for a while, so he at least deserves that respect.
Cotto/Branco: Branco gave a valiant effort against his toughest opponent, Arturo Gatti, two years ago. But the fact that Gatti was his toughest opponent says volumes about Branco. People have been trying to leave the Cotto train after seeing him hurt a few times against DeMarcus Corley and in his last fight against Ricardo Torres. But now is not the time to jump ship, for the fight is in Puerto Rico, Cotto has fought the better opposition, is the bigger, stronger man, and has been more active. Cotto TKO 7 Branco.
Cliff Rold: Lacy by TKO, Cotto by TKO
Lacy/Calzaghe: This should be Cal's night. he's faster and more experienced. However, he's shown some chinks in his chin and making 168 may be killig him. Hand injuries mean slaps instead of hard hooks. Look for Lacy to wear him down and stop him in a barnburner.
Cotto/Branco: Quick, name one guy Branco ever beat to get two HBO main events? You'll spend the rest of your life. Cotto is the ultimate example of HBO trying to build a star instead of making great fights. The trend seems to be swinging away from this but in the meantime Cotto in 8.
Jason Herron: Lacy by KO, Cotto by KO
Lacy/Calzaghe: The winner becomes the ruler of the division and claims the vacant Ring Magazine super middleweight championship. Even though the fight will be in England (Calzaghe's backyard), I sense that Lacy is the hungrier fighter. Batten down the hatches. This one's going to be fun while it lasts. Lacy by late KO.
Cotto/Branco: Cotto has a huge advantage in every category. Not to mention he's fighting at home (Puerto Rico). Cotto by early KO.
Julius Stecker: Lacy by TKO, Cotto by TKO
Lacy/Calzaghe: Don't be surprised though if Lacy hits the canvas. I think this will be a defining fight for Lacy, where he puts himself among boxing's best fighters. Lacy will win by a late round TKO.
Cotto/Branco: Cotto beats Branco over 10 un-entertaining rounds and wins by stoppage. Then we can finally see Cotto in a meaningful fight.
Danny Marquez: Lacy by TKO 7, Cotto by UD
Lacy/ Calzaghe: Not since Roy Jones and James Toney stepped in a ring together has there been a more anticipated super middleweight showdown. Lacy-Calzaghe has all the similarities as the Jones-Toney super fight that I don't have to get into. However the Lacy-Calzaghe super fight should be more entertaining than Jones-Toney where you had two very skilled boxers, here we should see Lacy and Calzaghe in each others face with Lacy getting the better of Calzaghe. Mitchell had Calzaghe hurt bad in their fight and if Mitchell had been cautious and kept his composure after his knockdown of Calzaghe we might not be seeing this fight. Calzaghe's failure to take out Evans Ahira who was smashed in 2 rounds by middleweight Maselino Masoe gives me further assurance Calzaghe can't handle the monster in Lacy. Lacy TKO in 7.
Cotto/Branco: Gianluca doesn't quite have the power or style to make this fight as interesting as Branco's previous replacement in Ricardo Torres. Cotto should pound out a lack luster one-sided unanimous decision.
Jay Duval: Lacy Wins
Lacy/Calzaghe: Jeff Lacy all the way on this one, on paper anyways. Jeff is at a definite disadvantage by fighting in the MEN arena overseas. If he has trained properly and has not let what I am sure must be a tremendous amount of distractions, he should be able to walk right through Joe. but we have to think about the opposition that both of these fighters have faced. Lacy, has just really come into his own as a proven fighter. But one must back pedal somewhat as he had a tough fight with Omar Sheika, and then destroyed Scott Pemberton, who then got whacked out by Peter Manfredo in short order. Robin Reid gave Lacy all he could handle as well. Calzaghe also has his issues as well. He has never fought outside of Europe and most if not all of his notable wins have come against fighters on their way out the door. If Lacy comes to the fight mentally and physically prepared, this is a mismatch. Lacy's biggest obstacle tonight will be the venue and location, if he can overcome that, it is an easy night for Jeff.
Jerry Casarez: Calzaghe by TKO 9, Cotto by KO 7
Lacy/Calzaghe: Joe proves that his reign is real and that youth doesn't always prevail. Look for Joe to weather the storm early and come on strong after 6th.
Cotto/Branco: Cotto may have flaws but none that Branco can expose. Cotto works body early and sets up mid-fight KO. Too much for the man that came up short to Gatti.
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