Aug 20 - ESPN2 6:00
Israel "Pito" Cardona vs. Paul Spadafora
Israel is yet another exciting fighter to watch. With his straight ahead style, relentless
pressure, dominating body punching and two fisted power it's no wonder he's ranked #1 by
the IBF and is ranked in the top 8 by ALL major world alphabet sanctions. His two losses
came as a result of a short lived campaign at 140 in 1997. In Feb, he lost a 10 round
split decision to Hector Lopez, and suffered another consecutive points loss to Charles
Murray in May, then the following July, he stopped Ivan Robinson at 135.
Israel owns wins over David Sample, Sam Girard and most recently, a 7th round stoppage of
Joel Perez this past Feb.
Paul Spadafora is ranked #3 as a lightweight by the IBF. ESPN's website has him listed as
#2, but the IBF's rankings have him as #3. I'll go with the IBF.
Paul is what I call a 50/50 fighter. Although undefeated, this cagey southpaw has a win to
KO ratio of %50 (26-0, 13KO's). No big power. He hasn't faced major opposition.
Experience and punishing body punches are the keys in this match up.
Cardona inside 8
Aug 21 - Showtime 11:15
Kostya Tszyu vs. Miguel Angel Gonzalez
This match will be for the IBF Lightweight Title vacated by Shane Mosely.
Here was my original prediction for this fight when it was originally supposed to happen 14 May 1999 :
Remember Miguel? He's the one who moused up Oscar De La
Hoya's eye and had him back peddling for the last 3 rounds of their bout. Tszyu is a
Russian transplant who has put on many spectacular fights. This is the most
balanced card this week-end, and is a hard one
to call. Both have international experience, and they have common
opponents. Most expect Tszyu to win easily. I don't see it that way. I
see an all out war through early and mid rounds, and Miguel to win by Decision after they
both get off the canvas a few times.
My opinion hasn't changed since May. Although it has been 13 months since
Miguel stopped Alexis Perez, and this is his longest layoff, expect a primed and ready
Miguel to dominate, counter punch, drop big left hooks to the body and win rounds.
Gonzalez by Decision
In Retrospect:
Boy did I get hammered on both these cards! I go with the sure thing on card 1, and go
with the longshot on card 2, and lose on both accounts!! I hate it when that happens!
Israel "Pito" Cardona vs. Paul Spadafora
Not as expected! The total underdog comes in and cleans the favorites clock!
Perhaps it was the southpaw stance that gave Pito problems, but none the less, Pito looked
like he lacked training and stamina and never expected the ready Spadafora to come at him
with the tenacity he displayed. When the smoke cleared, the judges gave the fight to the
deserving Spadafora. I'll keep an eye on Paul's progress.
Kostya Tszyu vs. Miguel Angel Gonzalez
Not as I expected. I made this prediction with a heavy heart because I Love
Tszyu. I figured Miguel had the skills to dispatch him, and used the De La Hoya fight as a
gauge. Instead, Miguel comes out fighting like an amatuer! Leading with his head, dropping
elbows, intentional head butts. It was a disgrace! The fight should of been stopped
because of Miguels dirty tactics. Instead, Kostya helped him along and stopped Miguel in
the 10th. What a great display of skill and sportsmanship by Kostya. Miguel's a bum that
shouldn't even be in the ring!
