By Jim Amato

There are some great match ups in store in the weeks to come. Let's start with April 23rd on ESPN-PPV. Antonio Margarito and Puerto Rican sensation Kermit Cintron meet for the WBO 147 pound title. Mr. Margarito is one BAD dude. Just ask Mr. Lujan who's still waiting for his ear to completely re-attach itself to his head. This is a big step for Cintron but there is something special about this kid. He's still a little rough around the edges but he is big, strong and he hits hard. Although my head says Margarito, my heart says to go with Cintron. I've just got this feeling that Kermit's a future superstar.

On April 30th on HBO John Ruiz puts his WBA heavyweight title on the line against James Toney. My pick is Toney who I feel will take control in the middle rounds and then dominate. It won't be easy though because Ruiz is a rugged individual and he will hang tough.

On May 5th on FoxSports, Julio Gonzalez and Montell Griffin, two former light heavyweight titleholders will meet in an IBF title eliminator. Griffin is boxing on memory these days. Gonzalez is reaching his peak. Still Montell should not be taken lightly.If Julio is on top of his game he should win handily.

Then on May 7th on Showtime, The potential Fight Of The Year...Jose Luis Castillo-vs-Diego Corrales in a bout that should be subtitled "Someone's Gotta Go". I'll be amazed if this bout goes the twelve round distance. Who will win ? I have to go with the chin. Castillo has the better whiskers.

Arturo is probably my favorite boxer active today. What tremendous fights he has given boxing fans. The trilogy with Mickey Ward. His wars with Wilson Rodriguez and Gabe Ruelas. He is a warrior in every sense of the word.

As much as I like Arturo I feel he has bitten off more then he can chew by taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr. To me Floyd is the most naturally talented boxer since a young Roy Jones Jr. and Sugar Ray Leonard. He is that good ! Whatever Gatti can do, Floyd can do better. Every match up, jab, hand speed , power, defense and ring generalship all favor Floyd. This is not a knock against Arturo who can be quite a clever boxer when he chooses to. Gatti also has some sting to his punches and is better defensively then he is given credit for. He just does not do these things as well as Floyd. I have to give Gatti the edge in heart because of his proven track record against world class opposition. Floyd has been in with some good hitters like Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castiilo but he has yet to be tested like Arturo.

How do I see the fight coming out ? I'm sad to say it but I see Mayweather winning it and winning it big. I see him busting Gatti up early with his jab and sharp counterpunches. He may even knock Arturo down but I doubt if he'll be able to keep the gutsy Gatti on the canvas. Midway through the fight there will be some wild exchanges as Floyd may get careless in his eagerness to put Arturo away. Finally Floyd will settle down and get back to his game plan. He'll go back to chopping Arturo up with stinging, rapid fire combinations forcing the referee to intervene and save Gatti from himself. I look for this to happen between rounds seven and nine.

It will be a nice payday and swan song for the most exciting boxer of this era, Arturo Gatti.

Promoter Bob Arum announced that Christy Martin and Lucia Rijker will finally meet on July 30th at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. Each boxer will be guaranteed $250,000. The winner will get an additional $750,000.

This bout should have taken place years ago but I guess it's better late then never. I would have picked Rijker a few years ago and I'll stick with Lucia now. She is the better technical fighter. Christy might be a little stronger but I believe her best days are behind her. You can never count Christy out though because she is as game as they come. Plus you're talking about a million dollars here. Add in the fact that neither one is really that fond of the other and they both have a tremendous amount of pride.

Well as you can see both boxers should be highly motivated. It should be an interesting and exciting fight.