Cotto did look good; he's ready for prime time.
Sorry I haven't been around much, folks, I've had some (great) things happening lately. Wonderful stuff. But, I figured I'd pop in, say hello, and spend a few minutes giving my thoughts about the fight card on HBO tonight.
*****
With respect to Mesi-Jirov, as much as I like Mesi, I'd have to give the edge to Jirov. Mesi looked a little overwhelmed toward the end of his fight with Barrett at the Garden, and I wonder if taking on a former cruiserweight champ with the style of this one will prove wise in retrospect. The last time he contracted to fight over 200lbs, Jirov destroyed the formidable 'Mr. KO' Letterlough, and more recently - following his loss to Toney - he was involved in a nasty, messy brawl against a no-name opponent who he eventually dispatched.
It's not a question of KO power: there, between Mesi and Jirov, it's close, with Mesi probably slightly ahead. Instead, I question whether Baby Joe can withstand Jirov's high volume punch output, whether in a survival sense (the attendant accumulation of blows) or from the perspective of winning rounds, as points will flow most naturally to the aggressive, high pressure style of the cruiser-cum-heavy "Tiger."
Though my hope is with Baby Joe...a genuinely nice guy and, I'm compelled to add, fellow New Yorker...my pick is for Jirov to stop him late - let's say the 8th. I hope I'm wrong.
With respect to Wright against Mosley, I'm reminded of the old adage - few ring more true, at least in boxing - that styles make fights. Winky Wright has stymied many worthy opposing fighters before, including Oscar Delahoya, Fernando Vargas, and Bronco McKart. If Sugar Shane is the most refined of the aforementioned fighters, and Wright is indeed ready for this career-defining fight, I see him stealing rounds early and toward the middle of the fight. Betting that such will be the case (and that earlier episodes where he faded late won't recur) my pick is for the underdog: Wright by decision.
LPS5 |
