Floyd/Maidana
Chavez/GGG
Cotto/Martinez
Canelo/Lara
IMO form most competitive to thorough mismatch, I expect Canelo/Lara to be the most competitive. A year ago I would have said Lara spanks him, however Canelo has improved and became a formidable fighter. I think Lara still has the skill to possibly beat him but I expect a tough tough fight.
Second, I think GGG's move to 168 against a big, tough iron chinned opponent who most likely will not crumble under duress. I expect Chavez to either confirm the arrival of GGG, or send him somewhere into oblivion.
3rd, (and this was tough), I see Floyd/Maidana as an obvious mismatch. I see no way in which Maidana wins. He has shown fatigue in most of his recent fights and Floyd is not the fighter you want to get fatigued against. (If)Maidana can throw caution to the wind and body hunt, he may be able to fool the public into believe he was competitive.
Lastly is Cotto/Martinez. I also see no way in which Cotto wins this. TBH, I don't even see how it will be competitive. Even if Martinez is shot, I think he destroys Cotto handily. Props to Cotto for taking the fight, greater fighters wouldn't dare. It will be sad however to see him get wrecked in NY.
Thoughts and opinions welcome.
I agree with everything except Cotto/Martinez. The size difference is monumental. And I also don't see how anyone can use the Cintron fight as a valid argument. Cintron got ko'd and ud'd in the same fight. People like to forget that for whatever reason.
Edit: And Lara's last 2 fights have been exceptional. Especially with the ease inn which he beat Trout. And his version of Angulo was probably best best we'll ever see of Angulo, before or after.
It's hardly "monumental". Cotto started at 140lbs and was basically dead at that weight. Martinez started at 147 and is still really a 154lber.
Ok - I'll just throw it out there
Cotto/Martinez - I don't think this is a serious mismatch. Cotto has fought bigger guys his whole career (except of course for the mighty Pacman). I don't think the reach or height is the issue, but the size. What Cotto lacks compared to Martinez's recent opposition (size and mass) he more than makes up for it in skills. Last time we saw Martinez in with someone with decent skill, but zero quality wins was Dzinziruk, and before that was Cintron, who handled himself pretty good.
It will be tough - he's going to have to go through fire (straight lefts) to get inside to punish the body, but he's crafty enough to do it. Plus he has the age advantage and even wear and tear is less on Cotto than compared to Sexy.
GGG/Chavez - I agree with you, it's either GGG's coming out party or Chavez sends him back to 160. I'm actually really excited for this fight. We all talk all that ish about Chavez, but he'll fight anyone, high or not. I think it'll really exciting for 8-10 rounds before one of them gets KO. Chavez is a big guy, GGG isn't walking through him.
Canelo/Lara - Everytime Lara (barring IMO his "breakout" performance against Trout and I considered P.Will just about washed up/past prime when they fought) steps up, he always bombs. He's the steak w/o the sizzle. Vanes, Angulo, Molina and even Hernandez he looked just ok. I think Canelo is the goods and he's not even peaking. I predict just a sharp-shooting performance from Canelo with a solid 8-4/9-3 type of fight. I don't think Lara will be all that competitive, pot shotting, and having waves of NSB haters making asinine threads about being robbed.
Money/Maidana - This is a total mismatch. But Maidana has power, is unpredictable and generally don't GAF. He's my favorite Mayorga, since Mayorga, without the smoking :). I think Maidana might surprise us and land one or two solid hits that might stun Floyd and have the internet broken in half - but generally, Floyd will just play with him and might even put him on his ass one or two times with a body shot he'll never see coming.
I agree with everything except Cotto/Martinez. The size difference is monumental. And I also don't see how anyone can use the Cintron fight as a valid argument. Cintron got ko'd and ud'd in the same fight. People like to forget that for whatever reason.
Edit: And Lara's last 2 fights have been exceptional. Especially with the ease inn which he beat Trout. And his version of Angulo was probably best best we'll ever see of Angulo, before or after.
Ok - I'll just throw it out there
Cotto/Martinez - I don't think this is a serious mismatch. Cotto has fought bigger guys his whole career (except of course for the mighty Pacman). I don't think the reach or height is the issue, but the size. What Cotto lacks compared to Martinez's recent opposition (size and mass) he more than makes up for it in skills. Last time we saw Martinez in with someone with decent skill, but zero quality wins was Dzinziruk, and before that was Cintron, who handled himself pretty good.
It will be tough - he's going to have to go through fire (straight lefts) to get inside to punish the body, but he's crafty enough to do it. Plus he has the age advantage and even wear and tear is less on Cotto than compared to Sexy.
GGG/Chavez - I agree with you, it's either GGG's coming out party or Chavez sends him back to 160. I'm actually really excited for this fight. We all talk all that ish about Chavez, but he'll fight anyone, high or not. I think it'll really exciting for 8-10 rounds before one of them gets KO. Chavez is a big guy, GGG isn't walking through him.
Canelo/Lara - Everytime Lara (barring IMO his "breakout" performance against Trout and I considered P.Will just about washed up/past prime when they fought) steps up, he always bombs. He's the steak w/o the sizzle. Vanes, Angulo, Molina and even Hernandez he looked just ok. I think Canelo is the goods and he's not even peaking. I predict just a sharp-shooting performance from Canelo with a solid 8-4/9-3 type of fight. I don't think Lara will be all that competitive, pot shotting, and having waves of NSB haters making asinine threads about being robbed.
Money/Maidana - This is a total mismatch. But Maidana has power, is unpredictable and generally don't GAF. He's my favorite Mayorga, since Mayorga, without the smoking :). I think Maidana might surprise us and land one or two solid hits that might stun Floyd and have the internet broken in half - but generally, Floyd will just play with him and might even put him on his ass one or two times with a body shot he'll never see coming.
Chavez/GGG. 1 exciting
Cotto/Martinez. 2 intriguing someone might get KTFO or someone may make history
Canelo/Lara 3 best fighting best
Floyd/Maidana 4 features a great fighter
Who can argue with that assessment ........ :boxing:
1. Canelo vs Lara - Genuine 50/50 matchup. Can make a case for both guys winning. Arguably the two best at 154.
2. Cotto vs Martinez - Sergio is favourite but questions over how much the lay-off and injuries will affect him.
3. GGG vs Chavez Jr - GGG favourite but is pretty untested and Chavez is arguably his best opponent.
4. Mayweather vs Maidana - LOL
Chavez/GGG. 1 exciting
Cotto/Martinez. 2 intriguing someone might get KTFO or someone may make history
Canelo/Lara 3 best fighting best
Floyd/Maidana 4 features a great fighter
Basically this, Canelo/Lara IMO is the only 50/50 fight out of the 4. It should be a competitive fight that could go either way.
Chavez Jr is an underdog but the size difference makes it intriguing as well as seeing how he handles GGG's power.
Maidana and Cotto are huge underdogs although I would give Cotto a better shot due to uncertainty of Martinez's health. I'll still be tuning in to watch Maidana hoping he throws caution to the wind as you say in hopes he lands something big.