Arthur Abraham vs. Andre Dirrell pick

Andre Dirrell vs. Arthur Abraham

Excellent match-up as Arthur Abraham takes on Andre Dirrell in a 12 round super middleweight fight from Michigan, televised on HBO. This bout is part of the big super 6 super middleweight tournament put on by Showtime.

Dirrell is a real talent with speed and reflexes but I don't see him as a complete fighter. He has enough ability and talent to beat most opponents on that alone but he has displayed some tendencies that don't bode well against the best opposition. I'm referring to a hit and run, almost scared, style Dirrell displays against dangerous opposition.

He first did this against squatty New York puncher Curtis Stevens where he did enough to win but intentionally avoided any kind of contact for 10 rounds. And in his last fight Carl Froch, Dirrell ran, held and put on a negative display. Dirrell did land some crisp shots and the match was close but with his negative style and constant clinching he gave the impression of a reticent fighter.

Abraham is clearly a winner, a money fighter if you will. He is strong, explosive, tough, skilled and difficult to hit. He fights with supreme confidence and is very comfortable in the ring. He knows how to win and close a show in style as indicated by his many late round KO's. He fought through a broken jaw in a questionable fight but to his vast credit, avenged that fight with an emphatic 4th round stoppage KO of Edison Miranda. Abraham does have one flaw. He can be very defensive and doesn't always have the best work rate.

But I think part of that was making the 160 pound limit in his previous fights. And even though he has been economical, he has been effective and no one has really been able to soar to a points lead in spite that part of his style. And Abraham will benefit that this fight is at 168. It's a very good weight for him right now and he is extremely strong there.

Dirrell may have an edge in pure speed, but Abraham is no plodder and he is so physically strong with great power. Dirrell probably thinks he can punch on Abraham while he's in a turtle defense but unlike Clottey, Abraham will punch back and will explode with heavy combinations throughout the fight.

When Dirrell does open up, he seems off balance and skittering because he's so concerned with incoming fire. And in spite of his speed, he catches shots. I think Abraham knows what the has in front of him, but I'm not sure Dirrell fully appreciates what Abraham brings.

I expect Abraham to be the hunter in this fight. He won't be reckless, that's not his way, but he will provide pressure. And I think he's simply too strong, mentally and physically, for Dirrell to deal with. If Froch made Dirrell fight “that way” it will be worse this time. I expect Abraham to get to Dirrell and possibly catch him with a fight changing shot at some point in the 2nd half of the fight. Either Abraham wins a decision from a cautious Dirrell or catches him and gets him out late in the fight.

Marcos Maidana vs. Victor Cayo

Marcos Maidana defends his interim WBA light welterweight belt against Victor Cayo on Saturday night from Las Vegas. The bout will be televised on HBO.

Maidana is a hard punching Argentinean that that recently shocked top prospect Victor Ortiz with a brutal KO. Cayo is a long, lanky fighter with good speed and talent. Cayo is a slick guy, with fast hands but can he survive with a destroyer like Maidana? I think Cayo will have a difficult time keeping Maidana off of him. Maidana can really punch and apply pressure. He has good chin and is a seek and destroy type fighter. He was narrowly defeated by former world champion and defensive minded Andreas Kotelnik but Cayo keeps his hands down and can be found. I thought Cayo was solid, but not a world beater, in his win over faded former title holder Julio Diaz. Diaz actually had some moments in the fight but the younger, faster Cayo scored more frequently and won a deserved decision. Maidana has stopped 26 guys in hsin27 wins and proved he can compete against top talent. I think he'll bring the fight to Cayo and apply lots of pressure. I believe he'll find Cayo enough to hurt him and eventually force him out of the fight, perhaps somewhere around the 8th round.

Ali Funeka vs. Joan Guzman

Ali Funeka takes on Joan Guzman in a rematch for the vacant IBF lightweight crown on Saturday night from las Vegas, televised on HBO.

These men fought to a disputed draw last November, in a bout that most every one felt that Funeka deserved. Guzman, who is a slick and crafty fight, had a lot of trouble dealing with the height and long jab of Funeka. Funeka threw more, landed more and hurt Guzman on a few occasions but wasn't rewarded. Most thought Guzman's slick defese and quick hands would carry the day. But Guzman has not only moved up over the years from 122 but has had well known weight struggles by blowing up between fights. It seems like that it caught up with Guzman in that first outing. Guzman switched trainers and seemingly rededicated himself but he still had to drop 40 pounds in a 4 week period which is tough on anyone in spite of good people on your team. I don't think Guzman hits hard to dissuade Funeka and will not be as busy. I expect Guzman to struggle again with Funeka's height and style and could still be compromised by his rapid weight loss even though he did things right for 4 weeks. Funeka seems to be the stronger, busier guy and should be enough to right the wrong of their last fight. I'm going with Funeka by decision or late rounds stoppage.