Playing The Pick ‘Em Game 2009 Part II

October 13th, 2009

Arthur will beat Jermain over 12 decisively. Taylor will gain a personal victory by making it the 12 round distance, but will get out-hustled down the stretch, again. Abraham will open a lot of=2 0eyes after this performance. His skill-level must have been forgotten by the majority of Americans who are picking Taylor to win. It wasn’t that long ago that Arthur beat a fresher version of Edison Miranda, twice. He beat “Big Mouth” at his own game by brawling his way to a decision in their 1st meeting, then completely turned the tables in the rematch by “boxing” a charging Edison, and knocking him cold inside of 4. A victory for “King” Arthur over Taylor will serve as a reminder to all that he’s a major player in “The Super-6 Tourney”.

SCOOP’S PICK
The sport is entering an exciting stretch with some very interesting matchups. Taylor vs. Abraham would be Saturday afternoon on network TV if it were the 80s. Fantastic clash of styles with potential to be a classic barnburner. Taylor has the excellent jab, speed but limited arsenal which could still be enough to earn the win if he can avoid making the glaring error and running out of gas. Abraham is a very clever warrior and will surely take advantage of ANY Taylor missteps. Abraham is a beast who has more variety, diversity and hunger for success than Taylor. I’ll take the man who has clearly shown the greater will – Arthur Abraham
ANDRE DIRRELL-CARL FROCH {Revisited}— (Considering I’ve made one prediction already):
PHILIP’S PICK

Andre will dethrone Froch via close decision in Carl’s backyard. Too much speed, too hungry, too skilled. Dirrel will be finally seen as a legit FORCE after this fight, which will send his already confident confidence over the top. Froch’s low left hand, squared-up attacking stance and lack of speed will be his undoing, despite his iron chin, courage and hometown advantage. Whether Dirrell will be able to box effectively for the whole route remains to be seen. We know Carl can be the aggressor throughout, but something tells me Dirrell is quite aware of this and has learned from Taylor’s mistakes. To seal a victory, Dirrell knows he will have to finish strong, without running. I believe he will continue to box and punch effectively, espe cially in the championship rounds.

SCOOP’S PICK
Is Dirrell ready for prime time? He has finally reached the mountaintop but there’s a formidable challenge standing in his way. Carl Froch may not have the fluid skills but he has the edge in power, experience in pressure situations and is one of those uncanny competitors who always finds a way to get the job done. Southpaw Dirrell can pull this off though, his boxing skills and intelligence have always impressed me. Dirrell on points but he better be on high alert every step of the way.

NICOLAY VALUEV-DAVID HAYE—
SCOOP’S PICK
This one may come down to what the judges want to see or what kind of mood they are in on fight night. Catch my drift? Who knows? But we know what Valuev will do, land a few slow jabs and rights and doing a whole lot of blocking and smothering. If Haye’s power is not nullified by having to punch up so high he can stop The Giant, as I have heard that Paul Briggs decked the Russian in sparring in Australia over a decade ago. Haye has the speed and skills to box rings around the big man, but like Holyfield the judges don’t always seem to appreciate it. Ignoring what the judges have to say, Haye will show himself to be the superior fighter vs. Valuev though he might not get the deserved credit. Promotional options on Haye after this fight could be a factor in the verdict too.

PHILIP’S PICK
Either guy could win- but it’ll be how they win that’ll define their futures- and either way, it’ll be UGLY= BORING. Well, perhaps not boring, but definitely not a “classic” by any means. Haye will flop as a major “threat” by not being nearly as effective as advertised. Ring-rust and pressure to deliver will have David trying too hard early on to get t o Nicolay’s chin. That may be harder to accomplish than expected. Valuev’s defense isn’t only underrated; it’s pretty damn good considering how big a target he presents. Actually, it wouldn’t be all that surprising to see Haye wilt down the stretch and get stopped. Considering what Odlainer Fonte Solis just did to an in-shape Monte Barrett (KO 2), Haye really has no business vying for a title belt at heavyweight at all. In stark comparison, Haye was in a life-or-death battle with Barrett. For all his deficiencies, Nicolay is the far more experienced fighter. I still feel that Haye has fought NO ONE. Was JM Mormeck an elite fighter when Haye beat him for the cruiserweight title? Was Mormeck EVER considered an elite boxer? No on both accounts. But he’s the best guy Haye has ever faced, and fairly enough, beaten. But that was over two-years ago, and at 200 lbs. Valuev won’t be mistaken for an elite fighter any time soon, but his knowledge of the game is sound and clinically effective. Nico is also seen as the far slower fighter, as hand speed is noted as one of Haye’s strong points, but I think Valuev is being underrated here. Look for the titleholder’s mitt-velocity to be a big surprise as well as an unexpected factor. These tangibles, and experience alone may be all it takes for Valuev to overcome Davey’s quick hands, wide bombing punches, and tasteless pre-fight predictions.

TOMASZ ADAMEK-ANDREW GOLATA—
SCOOP’S PICK
Yet another fascinating match up in a totally different way. 32-year-old Adamek sounds very confident and assured about how he understands and is working on the specific combinations, which will conquer the legendary veteran, Polish heavyweight, now 42. Adamek says 215 is his natural weight and does not seem concerned with being 30-35 pounds lighter. Speed and smarts could pave the way to victory but if one bomb hits the button, Adamek could take a ten count. Have to favor youth and speed here but Golota has the size, bulk and power and is really up for this fight. However, I can see a Pacquiao-De La Hoya scenario unfolding here but not quite as lopsided. Adamek survives some rocky moments and possible knockdowns, but it will be far from a simple night’s work.

PHILIP ’S PICK
Tomasz will beat Golata on points without too much difficulty. Too fast for the older Golata, but Andrew will be in the fight. It would be surprising to see Adamek jump all over Andrew early and get a stoppage here. If Adamek pulls that off, we’ll know more about how shot Golata is than what Adamek can do against younger, rated heavyweights. Golata could make this a tough fight by using his superior size and strength providing he comes in shape. Tying up and leaning all 250 pounds on the smaller Adamek could serve Andrew well to sap the smaller man’s strength. But I see the sharper-punching Adamek landing enough stinging volleys to steal most close rounds, and the fight.

SCOOP MALINOWSKI is the author of “Heavyweight Armageddon: The Tyson-Lewis Championship Battle”— “A smashing success, one of the two best boxing books I ever read.”
–Emanuel Steward

PHILIP ANSELMO is the legendary, infamous lead vocalist for PANTERA/DOWN/SUPERJOINT RITUAL and a contributor for BOXING DIGEST & BOXING INSIDER