Rating the Weekend's Fights on Their Explosive Potential: Vitali, Gamboa Edition

Boxing may have a mega fight coming up within a few weeks but that doesn't mean that boxing doesn't exist outside of it.  I've decided to to do a weekly column on the upcoming fights for each week and rate them on a scale of one to seven stars, based on how I think the fight will turn out.

Here's the breakdown.

* = Only use this as an aide to cure insomnia.  Or a method of torture.

** = Drink enough alcohol and this fight might entertain you.

*** = Decent fight. Just like most matinee movies, you won't remember it three hours after it happened, but you'll enjoy yourself while your watching it.

**** = A good fight. Something that will keep you on your toes. You'll have a smile on your face the next morning as you remember it.

***** = Aren't you glad you saw this fight?  It had a little bit of everything and it will get you through Monday at work when you wonder why you need your paycheck. It might even be something you brag about watching.

****** = They don't get much better than this. Your voice is a little hoarse from all the yelling but it was worth it.  It'll be hard getting to sleep and by tomorrow you will have read every scrap of post-fight news you can find on the web.

******* = They don't get any better than this! Ever! Forget sleep, as you won't be getting much if you get any at all.  You will be refreshing news pages for new articles and breaking information and by Friday your voice still won't sound normal.

So with that done, let's get started!

Juan Carlos Salgado vs. Argenis Mendez

Since ESPN Friday Night Fights has sadly finished their 2011 season it will be harder to find interesting fights on Friday. However, there are some interesting ones on Saturday so lets start there.

So lets start with Salgado-Mendez. I like this fight because it means that we get the classic boxer versus puncher match.  I'm not saying that Salgado isn't talented or sharp as a fighter but one look at Juan's record and you see that he is a knockout machine.

He has even lost once by KO in the 12th, so you know he is in fights from opening to ending bell.  Say what you will about losses but fighters who have them usually are in the fight from beginning to end, willing to risk it all and aren't afraid of a little conflict in the ring.

As for Mendez?  He has also tasted defeat and have come back form it.  After an early loss in his career to a journeyman, he beat rugged veteran Martin Honorario and then a faded Cassius Baloyi in his last fight.

He can't possibly beat Salgado if it resorts to a war and he will probably try to use his boxing to point his way to a decision.

Overall these guys are both interesting enough with how their styles clash and it's always fun to watch to young guns go at it.

Overall rating: ****

Yuriorkis Gamboa vs. Daniel Ponce De Leon

This fight probably needs no hype.  Gamboa is known for exciting offense and a lack of defense.  

Come to think of it, so is De Leon. It's a great matchup for those that like to watch sluggers go at it. Mind you, Gamboa has a bit more crispness and cleanliness to his punches but both guys like to swing for the fences.  

The only weakness it has is that De Leon is coming off a loss to a prospect, Adrien Broner.  If the loss was to a higher-level fighter it might mean less but it wasn't.  Still it will be good while it lasts. Other than that, this fight really doesn't need much more to be said for it.

Expect a knockout.

Overall rating: *****

Andrzej Wawrzyk vs. Devin Vargas

Just getting Andrzej's name right is a challenge. Finding fights that he has been in though—that is a lot easier.  And with what I've seen, I'm impressed.

The young Polish boxer has some decent skills and seems to finally be taking a step up when he faces the 2004 American Olympian Devin Vargas.

Too bad Vargas hasn't fought since 2009. Compare that to Wawrzyk competing in his last fight in June 2011 and you can already see the writing on the walls.

Time out of the ring is a killer and Vargas will be lucky to get in a few good rounds.

Overall rating: **

Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek

Let's be honest.  Most times, when we here about Klitschko fighting, we know how the fight is going to go.

Jab, jab, jab, clinch, jab, jab jab, almost throws a right hand, jab, clinch, jab jab...

And somewhere in the seventh round we might see a right hand strike.

The positive is that this is Vitali, the more exciting Klitschko brother, who has always seemed to be a bit more fluid in the ring than his brother and thus a little more entertaining.

And he is facing Adamek. The man was in a certifiable fight of the year when he fought against Steve Cunningham years ago and he always seems to bring some excitement into the ring. Though I don't see how the former cruiserweight champion has much of a chance, Tomasz has proved the doubters wrong time and time again.

However he is also a 6' 1" man facing a 6' 7" giant. I don't see the Polish superstar winning the match but I do see him making it fun—even if it is one-sided.

Overall: ***

Your Thoughts?

This was my first shot at creating a weekly article for these rankings.

So what did you think?

Correct, incorrect, interesting, or not, let me know your thoughts.