Toyota Center, Houston, TX
(HBO) Juan Diaz (34-2, 17 KOs) vs. Paulie Malignaggi (25-2, 5 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Diaz 7-5 because of locale. Paulie needs a “big” win here or he can start looking for a day job. And while the same can be said for Diaz, he unlike Malignaggi, has a pretty good following in Texas. PASS on pick!
Malcolm Klassen (24-4-2, 15 KOs) vs. Robert Guerrero (24-1-1, 17 KOs) (IBF 130 lb. title)Odds/Prediction: Ghost 7-5. South African is “real deal.” Ghost need be 150 % to win here! I think he will and am throwing $1,400 down to $1,000.
Danny Jacobs (17-0, 15 KOs) vs. Ishe Smith (21-3, 9 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Even! Ishe has lots to prove, Jacobs in better spot here I believe.
Budapest, Hungary
Karoly Balzsay (21-0, 4 KOs) vs. Robert Stieglitz (34-2, 27 KOs) (WBO 168 lb. title) Odds/Prediction: RS 3-1. NOTE both guys are promoted by Peter Klaus. Close match on paper, still I’ll go with Stieglitz to win impressively and drop $3K to win $1K.
Juergen Braehmer (33-2, 27 KOs) vs. Aleksy Kuziemski (17-0, 4 KOs) Odds/Prediction: JB 11-5. Both guys about the same, but Karoly can’t even spell punch!
Zsolt Bedak (13-0, 3 KOs) vs.Yersin Jailauov (20-6-1, 7 KOs) Odds/Prediction: Zsolt 3-1. All six losses on Yersin’s log are by stoppage! Expect #7 to take place here!
Zapopan, Mexico
Rafael Marquez (38-5) vs. Gonzalo Munguia (13-6-3) Odds/Prediction: RM 7-1. Rafael took 14 months off after last Israel Vazquez wars, having one “work” fight in 2009. Here he is facing a can of Mexican tomato paste, thus I expect a KO in this “work” fight.
Pedro Fernandez