Apr 15 - HBO 6:45 pm
Antonio Diaz vs. Ivan Robinson
My last prediction I made on Antonio was his fight with Marlon Thomas this past May in
which Antonio went the distance for the win (as predicted).
Since that prediction, Antonio has fought an incredible 6 times. An amazing 48 rounds!
Most recently, this past March, he stopped Pasqual Rouse in the first round. Antonio
continues his ascent to the top of the light weight division. Ivan will be no walk through
the park.
Ivan's main claim to fame are his two epic battles and consequent wins against Arturro
Gatti. On the heels of that win he loses a hard fought battle to Angel Manfredy, then in
his next match, Ivan beat James Crayton this past Sep by decision (as predicted). In his last bout, he stopped the unheralded
Tyrone Flukers in 2 rounds.
Make no mistake about Ivan, he is no KO artist. He boxes well, and wins rounds.
It won't be that easy against Antonio.
Antonio is a very mobile boxer. He has good head movement, and pretty good KO power. He
will counter on angles, and give Ivan more than he can handle. I don't see Antonio
stopping Ivan, but believe me, you will have no doubts about who won the fight.
Diaz by Decision
Fernando Vargas vs. Ike Quartey
Alot of Fernando's detractors say that Winky proved Fernando is a paper champion. As if he
didn't stop Ron, he was a pretender. Fernando displayed the heart of a champion in that
fight, and proved that he can take a big shot as well as give one. I expected Fernando to
win the fight against Ronald "Winky" Wright (as
predicted) by stoppage, but this mega give and take fight earned Fernando the Boxing
Hall of Fame's Boxer of the Year for 1999. It was truly a fight of attrition, and Fernando
proved his mettle as a world champion. Ike also has the heart of a champion. But he is way
to inactive. Since he beat Oba Carr by decision in Oct of 96, Ike has fought 3 times.
Twice in 97, and once last year. He lost to De La Hoya by split decision over a year ago
this past Feb 99. The De la Hoya fight in my opinion took alot out of Ike, and the younger
Banger from Oxnard is on a mission to stop Ike in impressive fashion. Fernando HATES Oscar
and would LOVE to stop Ike to show the world who the man is. I suspect Fernando has
trained extra hard in both the gym and in front of the VCR watching the Ike vs Oscar
fight, and has more than trained and adjusted to fight the Ghana native.
Fernando needs to invest in a sustained body attack, as the fight progresses, those well
placed investments will pay back in dividends in the later rounds. Power will close the
deal.
I still believe that Fernando is the best super welter in the world and will prove it by
stopping Ike in the mid to late rounds.
Vargas inside 10
Apr 15 - Hamburg,
Germany - No U.S. Television
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Graciano Rocchigianni
Dariusz in the other power puncher in the LH division. The holder of the WBO LH belt and
the only premier LH Roy Jones has yet to face (other than Antonio Carver). He dealt
Montell Griffin a fourth round stoppage this past Aug (his last bout). Other big names he
has beaten are Drake Thadzi, Virgil Hill and . . . Graciano Rocchigianni by Dq in 7. This
is a rematch bout with Graciano.
Graciano was a premier light heavy at one time. His unreliability and inactivity will
prove that the old and over the hill Graciano is washed up. His last fight was a distance
win against Michael Nunn (Mar 98). He was working out a fight with Roy Jones last year,
but wouldn't show up for press conferences or training. He ended up vacating his title,
and has remained inactive.
Since stopping Nick Piper in Oct 97 for the WBO LH title, Dariusz has defended the title
six times, all inside the distance. His last outing was the aforementioned Griffin win.
Expect Dariusz to open fast, and hurt Gaciano early. This will go inside 5 heats.
Michalczewski inside 5
In Retrospect:
Antonio Diaz vs. Ivan Robinson
As expected! I never expected Antonio to stop Ivan though, and I have to admit, it was a
premature stoppage. But, as I expected, it was pretty clear who won this bout. Antonio
showed maturity and patience in this fight. He slipped punches exceptionally well and was
a clean counter puncher. I was most impressed.
Antonio looks to be a promising 140 fighter, and we'll see how he progresses.
Fernando Vargas vs. Ike Quartey
As expected! This is a fight of the year nominee here. What a great fight! It was non stop
for 12 rounds, and both fighters showed heart and determination. Fernando performed just
as I thought he would and I hope this performance will open the eyes of his detractors. He
man handled Ike, something Oscar couldn't do. This fight wasn't even close like Oscar's
was, and he totally out hustled Ike, unlike Oscar. Fernando worked EVERY round, and
profusely dropped combinations on Ike all night long. He was landing 4 to 1 on Ike, who
had no answer for the quick handed Vargas. Ike proved himself to be a world class
competitor too. Well, a world class opponent. =)
I have always said that Fernando is the best jr middle in the world, and by his convincing
performance last night, this has been validated. I would like to see a Vargas Trinidad
matchup. Until then, I'll keep an eye on the one dubbed Ferocious.
Dariusz Michalczewski vs. Graciano Rocchigianni
As expected! Dariusz smacked on Roc all night long, until the battered and beaten wanna be
champ quit on his stool between rounds 9 and 10. Dariusz dropped Roc in the ninth with a
big body shot, and between rounds, Roc quit on his stool. Roc did start strong, and was
winning the opening two rounds, then Dariusz turned it up. Dariusz remains undefeated and
is hoping to get a match with Roy Jones Jr. to unify all the belts. This I would like to
see.
