Aug 6 - ESPN2 6:00
Mark Johnson vs. Jorge Lacierva
This will be Marks 1st defense of this title. Jorge is making a tremendous leap in class
of fighters by taking on Mark. Jorge moves down in weight from bantam to take this fight.
He is ranked in the top 11 by 2 major world organizations at bantam weight, but unranked
at jr bantam. Jorge has not faced the caliber of opponents Mark has, nor faced a boxer the
caliber of Mark!
Expect a short night for Mark "too sharp" Johnson.
Johnson inside 5
Aug 6 - HBO 10:30
Stevie Johnston vs. Angel Manfredy
This is a tough fight to decide on. In Stevie's last two outings, he won both of these
matches (as predicted), and the decision in his last match against Aldios Rios had
everyone in Madison Square Garden booing in the end because of the lethargic pace.
Stevie is a boxer that adapts and win rounds.
Angel is an odd character. His epic stoppage of Arturo Gatti propelled him into the
limelight. He didn't fare well against a faster and overpowering Floyd Mayweather who
stopped him in 2 last Dec, but came back in his following fights by stopping Ernesto
Benitez in 3 last Mar and an impressive 10 round decision against Ivan Robinson this past
Apr.
Expect Stevie to set the pace, and win rounds.
Johnston by Decision
Arturo Gatti vs. Reyes Munoz
Arturo is always an exciting fighter to watch. The former world champion has not done very
well in his past few outings. Stopped by Angel Manfredy, lost 2 decisions to Ivan
Robinson, he needs impressive wins to get back into title contention. Does he expect this
against Reyes? Who the hell is Reyes anyway? No power, no past recognition, no world
rankings - nothing. Arturo has everything to lose if this doesn't go his way. But I
suspect it will.
Gatti inside 4
In Retrospect:
Mark Johnson vs. Jorge Lacierva
As expected. Mark out classed and out boxed Jorge. Perhaps this weight class is
too heavy for Jorge. I'll keep an eye on Mark.
Stevie Johnston vs. Angel Manfredy
Exactly as expected. Stevie used superior hand speed and effective aggression to do
exactly as I expected, to win rounds and the match.
Arturo Gatti vs. Reyes Munoz
As expected. The ex champ Gatti needs impressive wins to further his campaign,
only it would be more convincing if it were against top flight opposition.
