Miguel Cotto vs. Ricardo Mayorga & Sergio Martinez vs. Serhiy Dzinziruk Fight Predictions
Compiled by Mike Plunkett
This weekend promises to be terrific. Three division world champion Miguel Angel Cotto, 35-2, 28 KO’s looks to make the first defense of his WBA Super World light middleweight title against the wild swinging, hard punching former WBA/WBC welterweight champion Ricardo Mayorga, 29-7-1, 23 KO’s, an all-purpose bad-boy that puts the ‘B’ in bad-ass.
The challenger has promised to end it within four. Hall of Fame trainer Emmanuel Steward has responded in kind, suggesting that his charge will retain the title easily with a blowout, also within four. As for the World middleweight contest, Sergio Gabriel Martinez, 46-2-2, 25 KO’s, looks to make the second defense of his title a big one against the vastly underrated Serhiy Dzinziruk, 37-0, 23 KO’s, the longtime WBO light middleweight champion and division dark horse. RSR’s team of writers give their expert opinions on the outcome.
Miguel Cotto vs. Ricardo Mayorga
Marc Anthony
Cotto is going to stop Mayorga in the later rounds. Cotto can punch and Mayorga, as exciting of a fighter as he is, still lacks the defense to stop Cotto.
Ben Bieker
Miguel Cotto takes this fight. He, to me, has only loss to Pacquiao because of the illegal wraps suspected in the Margarito fight. He has the power and speed to stop Mayorga who I believe is not on the level of Cotto.
Geno McGahee
Cotto by 9th round stoppage over the game Mayorga. Expect a couple scares for Cotto, but the skill, mostly the jab will overcome the wildness and unpredictable nature of Mayorga.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Miguel Cotto by late round stoppage probably around round 9th.
Eric Fleming
I pick Cotto.
Joseph Garcia
I have Cotto stopping Mayorga inside 8 rounds.
Eugene Zelenyi
Cotto by 7th round KO.
Donald Stewart
I believe that Cotto will prove too cute/wily/intelligent for Mayorga and win somewhere in the latter stages of the bout – rounds 9/10/11 are favorites by TKO. But now that I have said that out loud it will probably be Mayorga in the 2nd…
Brian Wilbur
Cotto vs. Mayorga should be fun while it lasts and I’m looking forward to it. The cream rises to the top in these big fights though so I think Cotto should survive a couple of scary moments to pound out an 8th round TKO victory in a slugfest.
Gina L. Caliboso
Mayorga is such a volatile personality, you can never be sure what to expect. I’ve always felt he is far from a technical fighter, but if caught sleeping, an opponent can get KO’d by his power. As for Cotto, he has as I’ve stated before, undergoing a change in his career and for the better. Despite his loss to Pacquiao, Cotto has a great jab and he definitely can outbox his opponent. Prediction: Cotto by 8th round KO.
Rodell Bautista
Miguel Cotto by TKO or stoppage round 7.
Damien Norman
Miguel Cotto by unanimous decision.
Mike Plunkett
Many conveniently overlook the trouble Ricardo Mayorga gave ‘Sugar’ Shane Mosley before succumbing at the tail end of their match a few years ago. Over the course of his career he has proven to be a Zen Lesson of sorts, and the fact that so many fans give him a chance in this bout is a testament to his colorful personality as well as his wild, heavy-handed ring style. Where Miguel Cotto is concerned, many prematurely wrote him off after the gallant loss to Manny Pacquiao just over a year ago, but his surprisingly effective return to take the WBA Super World light middleweight title last June demonstrated what I’ve always felt; he is special. Look for Junito to systematically dismantle the conditioned remnants of the pock-faced puffer after a few dangerous early moments. Miguel Cotto via 8th round TKO.
Sergio Martinez vs. Serhiy Dzinziruk
Marc Anthony
Got to go with Maravilla. Although there is a punchers chance, I don’t see it happening. Martinez by unanimous decision.
Ben Bieker
Sergio takes this fight. He just beat one of the only men to ever defeat him, definitively. He will be able to outwork and outhustle Serhiy the whole fight.
Geno McGahee
Sergio Martinez by unanimous decision.
Eric Fleming
I pick Martinez to win.
“Bad” Brad Berkwitt
Sergio Martinez by UD.
Eugene Zelenyi
Sergio Martinez by unanimous decision.
Donald Stewart
Sergio Martinez by unanimous decision.
Brian Wilbur
Dzinziruk doesn’t get the credit he deserves in America, surely due to lack of exposure. He is an excellent and skilled boxer. This is by far the toughest challenge of his career though. Martinez came from obscurity to become a marvelous boxer-puncher near the top of pound for pound lists. I see Martinez winning a chess match and taking a close unanimous decision.
Gina L. Caliboso
On his wave of confidence, Martinez has shown he can fight against the bigger opponent and win. He’s also a favorite of mine, so I’ll pick the fighter that was nice of enough to take a picture with me! The southpaw Argentinean is a true KO puncher with no doubt to his stamina. Prediction: Martinez by 6th round KO.
Rodell Bautista
Sergio Martinez via split decision.
Damien Norman
Sergio Martinez by early TKO.
Mike Plunkett
I’m with Dr. Pugilist on this one. While Sergio Martinez is a pound-per-pound fighter with heart, skills, power and undeniable career momentum, too many have overlooked or completely missed the boat on Serhiy Dzinziruk. You don’t hold a major world title for five years and amass a record of 37-0 for nothing. The bottom line is that ‘Dzyna” can fight, only in this instance he’s up against a similarly skilled, more active fighter on a roll. Look for ‘Maravilla’ to retain the World middleweight title by close, competitive unanimous decision in a tactical chess match.