Feb 12 - Showtime 10:00
pm
Kostya Tszyu vs. Ahmed Santos (#5 WBC)
For Tszyu's WBC Super Lightweight Title
This will by Kostya's first defense of the WBC super lightweight title he earned
convincingly against Miguel Angel Gonzalez this past August. I didn't expect Kostya to
perform like he did against Miguel, and was very surprised to see Kostya dominate, and
eventually stop the world renowned and much heralded pugilist from south of the border
(Miguel's first loss by TKO). Kostya showed much poise, patience and stamina, unlike his
only loss via 10th rd stoppage to lose his IBF jr welter title to Vince Philips in May 97.
I predicted against Kostya and expected Miguel to get him late like Philips, but Kostya
proved his mettle as a champion, and made a former Mexican great look like a faded has
been. Oscar De La Hoya couldn't stop Miguel.
Kostya has some big wins to his credit with stoppages over Rafael Ruelas and Diabelis
Hurtado (a feat that took Pernell Whitaker 11 rounds).
Ahmed Santos will be the next test of the Russian transplant who now resides in Australia.
Ahmed has a less than stellar record of 25-2-4 and 13 KO's. That's a record of a boxer. A
fighter who goes the distance, and has 50-50 KO power. Ahmed has not stepped up to the
next level when faced with world class opposition as demonstrated by his 12 round loss to
Antonio Diaz in Dec 97. Ahmed, the #5 ranked challenger should prove to be a good test for
the new WBC champ Kostya. If the same Kostya who stepped in the ring against Miguel show
up on Saturday, Ahmed is in a lot of trouble.
Expect Kostya to establish dominance early, and having Ahmed fold for the first time in
the mid rounds.
Tszyu inside 8
Zab Judah (#1 IBF) vs. Jan
Bergman (#2 IBF)
For the Vacant IBF Junior Welterweight Title
I stated in my last prediction about Zab to keep an eye on this kid. He is a fast
starting, heavy handed southpaw out of the Duva stable who has left a path of destruction
in his wake. I first saw him stop the veteran Darryl Tyson in Oct 98. I was impressed.
Then he stepped up and stopped the much regarded KO artist Wilfredo Negron inside 4 in Jan
99 on the undercard of the Tyson-Botha fight. I was intrigued. Then in his last outing he
dispatched David Sample in 1 round. David up to that point had NEVER been down in a fight,
and Zab knocked him down 4 times! I was sold. He continues his campaign against the South
African native Bergman.
Bergman has a respectable record of 38-2 with 29 KO's. Whenever a fighter has a win to KO
ratio over %75, in my opinion, is considered a banger. That Bergman is.
Oh, may I add a chinless banger. In his only bid for a world title he was KO'd in 6
against none other than . . . Kostya Tszyu in Sep 96. Bergman hasn't the speed or momentum
to catch the rising star Zab, and will go down quick trying.
Judah inside 4
It is rumored Julio Cesar Chavez is aligning a match with Kostya (believe it or not,
even after the Willy Wise fiasco, JCC is ranked #1 by the WBC), but if both these fights
come of as expected and both champs prevail, expect a big money clash between Kostya and
Zab by years end. Although I would LOVE to see Kostya bust up JCC!
Feb 12 - Univision 11:30
Vassili Jirov vs. Saul Montana (#1 IBF)
For Jirov's IBF Cruiserweight Title
Jirov has proved to be quite a dominate force in the cruiser weight division. This heavy
handed southpaw and former Olympic gold medalist proved himself a world class champion
when he won the title by stopping Arthur Williams in 7 rounds this past June (As predicted). In his first an only defense of the title
he stopped Dale Brown in 10 this past Sep (As predicted).
Look at it this way, Jirov ended 97 with 11 fights, ALL BY KO! There is only one person in
my opinion who has a chance against Jirov, and it isn't Montana!
Saul is a durable fighter who has some impressive wins under his belt. He scored an
impressive points nod to Kenny Keene in Oct 97, and avenged his 3rd rd KO loss to Uriah
Grant by stopping him in 12. And?
Saul has limited power and has been stopped in half his losses.
Why is Saul ranked #1? Better yet, why is he ranked #1 by the WBA, IBF and WBO? He fought
once in 99 and once in 98 against nobody's! Hmmm, that's beyond me, but expect the glass
jawed prospect to end the fight sprawled out on the canvas saying under his breath,
"5 more minutes Mommy".
Jirov inside 9
In Retrospect:
This was an exceptional weekend for my predictions. This was the first time since
starting the web page that I hit EVERY prediction on the round! What a great performance
by 3 great champions.
Kostya Tszyu vs. Ahmed Santos
Exactly as predicted. Kostya dominated as expected and broke down Ahmed. I
figured Kostya would wear down the previously unstopped Ahmed at the mid to late rounds.
Kostya showed true grit, and unloaded a superb body attack that contributed to the demise
of Ahmed. They announced that Julio Cesar Chavez is Kostya's mandatory. Look for that to
happen mid summer, then a possible matchup against Zab.
Zab Judah (#1 IBF) vs. Jan Bergman
Exactly as predicted. Boy did Zab have his hands full! They traded bombs, and a
left hook sent Jan to the canvas in round 1. Another flurry in the same round had Jan take
a knee. The action continued in round 2, then Jan landed a right hook when Zab was off
balance sending him to the canvas for the first time. He immediately was on his feet and
finished the round strong. Round 3 was a cautious one for both men, then in 4 Zab unloaded
some vicious combos and Jan was down again, only this time for the 10 count. Zab once
against proved his validity as a champion and Jan proved why he is number 2. I'll continue
to keep an eye on Zab.
Vassili Jirov vs. Saul Montana
Exactly as predicted. Jirov seemed to have some trouble early and was staggered
by Saul on a couple occasions, but recovered and went on to stop Saul. Vassili had Saul in
the early rounds, but they traded pretty even in the mid rounds. Round 9 was the turning
point when Vassili landed a big left hand that cut Saul's right eye. A few punches later
and Saul dropped his hands and was laying on the ropes. Vassili saw the opening then
started landing monster combinations which prompted the ref to call a halt to the fight.
Vassili announced he would like to fight James Toney and then Roy Jones. Hmmm, we'll see.
I can see the Toney thing happening, but not Jones. Unless Jirov dropped down to light
heavy.
