Kelly Pavlik Vs Antonio Rubio Fight Picks

Article originally posted on 8countnews.com by Peter Czymbor

Considering the last time I brought you an installment of Pete’s picks I predicted Margarito over Mosley, my confidence is a bit shot after a long streak of accurate picks in 2008.

Can I get my mojo back by going 3-0 this weekend? More importantly, can Kelly Pavlik and Miguel Cotto regain their swagger after suffering the first career defeats in their last fights respectively.

We’ll explore those questions in the following paragraphs.

Kelly Pavlik vs. Marco Antonio Rubio – Middleweight Championship of the World

After being outboxed and beaten from pillar to post in losing a lopsided decision to Bernard Hopkins last October, Pavlik will be glad to have a more stationary target in front of him in Marco Antonio Rubio this Saturday.

However, I’m not entirely convinced that Rubio is the walk-over, easy, mandatory challenger that some are making him out to be.

Rubio is a big puncher. If he can catch Pavlik with a big shot, Pavlik can be stunned. Remember the second round of the first fight with Jermain Taylor?

However, Rubio lacks in the defense department. Against Jose Luis Zertuche, he ate many punches before eventually scoring a 7th round TKO. If Pavlik lands one of those shots, it could be lights out.

Pete’s Pick: Pavlik by KO….probably an overhand right will be the deciding blow.

Miguel Cotto vs. Michael Jennings – Welterweight title

This one will be a wipeout. As long as Cotto isn’t mentally destroyed from his 11th round TKO loss as the hands of Antonio Margarito, a loss that’s validity has come into question since Margarito was found to try to compete with loaded gloves against Shane Mosley, Cotto will have easy work with the ordinary Jennings.

Pete’s Pick: Cotto stops Jennings within 6 rounds.

John Duddy vs. Matt Vanda

Considering both combatant's history with all out brawls and slugfests, this fight has the potential to be brutal and steal the show.

However, John Duddy has the skills to beat Vanda without eating punches and exchanging, as he sometimes does even when it’s not necessary.

As long as Duddy fight’s Vanda the way he fought Charles Howe and not the way he fought Walid Smitchet, he should win rather comfortably.

Pete’s Pick: Duddy via unanimous decision.....He should outbox him and win in the same style Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. did his second fight vs. Vanda.

Article originally posted on 8countnews.com by Peter Czymbor