Apr 08 - SHOWTIME 10:00
pm
Fabrice Tiozzo vs. Valery Vikhor
Fabrice makes his fourth defense of his of his WBA cruiserweight title against #2
ranked Valery Vikhor. Fabrice won the title with a convincing 12 round decision to Nate
Miller in Nov 97. All three of his previous defenses have ended inside the distance.
Valery is an up and coming Ukrainian who is making his third start in a row in France.
Valery remains unbeaten in his previous 4 bouts, although he has been stopped twice.
Even considering the fact he only fought one match in 1999, Fabrice is the real deal. With
international boxing experience and increasing power, he should have no trouble against
the Ukrainian, and I suspect he intends on stopping Valery in front of his countrymen.
Expect Fabrice to set the pace early and wear down Valery in the late rounds.
Tiozzo inside 9
Byron Mitchell vs. Bruno Girard
This is a most anticipated rematch. I expected Byron to stop the light handed
Bruno last Dec, but surprisingly, they fought to a draw. (my
original prediction) Bruno showed the heart of a champion, and in a see-saw battle
held Byron to a tie. Now what?
I'll tell you what, Byron's gonna stop the limp wristed, soft hitting Bruno with
prejudice! Perhaps Byron looked at Bruno's record and didn't prepare right. (36-2-1, 5
KO's) Perhaps Bruno's style was tough for Byron to contend with. None the less, I see
Byron making major adjustments and pulverizing Bruno. He really needs to avenge the only
tarnish and his terrific record, that draw to Bruno. What better place to do it then
Bruno's back yard? =)
Mitchell inside 8
Randall Bailey vs. Rocky Martinez
Randall went from nobody to world champion in less than 90 seconds. He burst on
the scene with an incredible first round stoppage of Carlos "Bolillo" Gonzalez
in the first round in May 1999 to win the WBO junior welterweight title. Not as I predicted.
He continued in his first defense with a ninth round TKO of Hector Lopez!
Randall is now 20-0, 20 KO's. Only 2 bouts have entered the 7th round.
Rocky should prove to be somewhat of a matchup for Randall. Rocky is the WBO Latin
American junior welterweight champion. In his only defense of this meaning less title he
defeated Javier Carmona by decision in Apr 99. His only bout of major international
notoriety was his 12 round loss in Nov 95 to then International Boxing Federation (IBF)
Lightweight Champion Philip Holiday. Rocky will fold against the banger from Florida.
He hasn't the world experience or the power to fend off the vicious bombs of Randall. This
will end inside 6 heats.
Bailey inside 6
In Retrospect:
Fabrice Tiozzo vs. Valery Vikhor
As expected! Fab definitely started quick, and dominated the poor Val until the ref called
a halt to the bout in the sixth. Fab dropped Val in the first, and continued to land
unanswered bombs from Fab. It was a true dismantling and intelligently fought fight by
Fab. Now I would like him in a rematch with the only person who ever beat him, Virgil
Hill. At this juncture in their respective careers, Fab would walk through Virgil.
I'll keep an eye on the French Bomber.
Byron Mitchell vs. Bruno Girard
Not as expected! Byron splits open the nose of Bruno in the first stanza, then rolls
through the 5th round clearly winning rounds, and having Girard almost running in reverse.
Then in the 6th, Girard landed a few limp wristed right hooks that has Byron rolling
backwards. From that point on, it was down hill for Byron. I had this fight scored a tie.
The second time I watched this fight, I saw Byron take the first six rounds. After the
sixth, his punch output slowed down, and he started moving backwards, instead of backing
his man up and controlling the tempo. The fact that over 60 percent of the fans were
rooting for their fellow countryman Girard, and magnified every shot he executed with
thunderous roars, without a doubt, influenced the judges. Some rounds could of went either
way, especially rounds 4 & 5. Scores of 116-113, 117-114, 116-113 were awarded from
the three judges all for Girard.
The proof is in the defense. It would never happen, but I would like to see Girard in with
Vinny Pazienza. That would be a treat!
Randall Bailey vs. Rocky Martinez
As expected! Randall seemed to have a little trouble solving the Rocky puzzle, but he
finally tenaciatiously and without prejudice beat and pummeled poor Rocky until the fight
was stopped on cuts at the end of the 6th round. As predicted in the predicted round!
Randall showed true ring generalship and dictated the bout from the opening bell. This was
Randall's first defense of the title, and I see him making many more.
