Official picks thread for Saturday's Boxing After Dark tripleheader
Get your picks in! This thread will close at 9:30 ET on Saturday.
Post your picks in this thread or I will not count them. I can't chase picks around 15 posts.
James Kirkland v. Joel Julio (Junior Middleweights)
Kirkland is a big time fan favorite right now because of his offensive powerhouse style. But what I worry about in this matchup is not Joel Julio being a great fighter (he's not, and he's not going to be one), but simply Julio being good and heavy-handed enough to put the first L on Kirkland's sheet.
Kirkland (24-0, 21 KO) has yet to meet any real resistance. Julio might well go down to one of James' big shots, but I've seen Julio hit pretty well before and he recovered from it. The jury is out on Kirkland. Brian Vera stayed in the fight a long time (relative to the obscene punishment he took) but was not a real test. Vera can't box and cares nothing for defense. He is tough, that's about it.
Julio is a big puncher, a guy with legit knockout power. He's also a solid boxer. Neither of these guys have great defensive reputations. It's a fight I cannot pick with any certainty, so I'm just going with my gut and nothing more. But I'd say it's 90% we get a knockout, 70% we get a damn good fight, and about 30% we get an absolute barnburner. That last number may seem low, but there aren't that many GREAT fights. I'm talking 30% chance we get a war we won't soon forget. Julio KO-9
Victor Ortiz v. Mike Arnaoutis (Junior Welterweights)
Ortiz fights with rare ferocity, like a man possessed. Arnaoutis fights like he's a master technician, which he is not. He doesn't have much of a punch and is going to top out as a gatekeeper with decent skills. It's a fair enough test for Ortiz, but I think he runs over Arnaoutis with little difficulty. There's not a lot more to say. Arnaoutis will hang around a while, but will never really be in the fight. I also suspect that unless he gets an "opponent" spot on Shobox, this is the last we'll see of "Mighty Mike" on the big two networks. Ortiz TKO-11
Robert Guerrero v. Daud Yordan (Junior Lightweights)
Guerrero's jump from 126 to 130 pounds takes him from the upper tier of featherweight straight into the upper tier of junior lightweight. Some folks like to wait a couple fights for a dude to "adjust to his new weight," but I only caution like that in rare cases. Guerrero was a top five guy at 126 and he's 25 years old. 130 is a very weak division and he's instantly top three in my view, along with Humberto Soto and 23-year old Jorge Linares. Ranking somewhat untested Guerrero and Linares that high may seem foolish. I ask you if you'd really pick Cassius Baloyi or Mzone Fana to beat either of them, because I damn sure wouldn't.
Yordan is an Indonesian with some promise, but his record is quite soft and my gut instinct is Golden Boy doesn't see a whole lot in him if they're matching him up with Guerrero this quickly. HBO is saying they want only competitive fights, but there were plenty of guys that Guerrero could've fought if Golden Boy were looking to really promote Yordan heavily. Guerrero returned in January to destroy veteran Edel Ruiz with a first round body shot, eleven months after beating the living hell out of Jason Litzau on Shobox. He's too good, and he's fighting in his backyard in San Jose, too. Guerrero TKO-5
(Photo courtesy Laura De La Torre / 411mania.com)
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33 comments
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Comments
Picks
Kirkland by UDecision
I’m pulling for an Arnaoutis upset. I think he has faced the better opposition and can take what Ortiz has to dish out. Arnauoutis by decision.
JT
by JasonTryp on Mar 4, 2009 1:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO-11
Ortiz TKO-9
Guerrero TKO-7
by 3zilla on Mar 4, 2009 2:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
picks
julio tko 7 – i think julio can catch him. julio’s been a big disappointment in big fights so i wouldn’t be surprised if kirkland dominates him but something is teling me this is julio’s.
ortiz ko 5 – ortiz is just too good and better. i think t shows during the corse of the fight and ends up stopping him.
ghost tko 5 – another case of a guy just being too good. i dont think hes going to have a problem with yordan.
by sonofapsycho on Mar 4, 2009 2:32 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Can I withdraw my Julio/Kirkland pick?
I think Julio is going to win. But my rooting allegiance is with Kirkland. I’d rather not have my prediction clash with my cheering (it’s very stressful otherwise).
Other two picks stay intact.
by schraubd on Mar 5, 2009 4:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO-10
Ortiz KO-4
Guerrero-UD
Bruce Seldon > Ali
by rjhabeeb on Mar 4, 2009 4:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Julio TKO8
Ortiz UD
Guererro KO3
Vogt early, Vogt often.
by Brickhaus on Mar 4, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO-6
Ortiz KO-5
Do I have to post an opinion on the other fight? I know next to nothing about one fighter and nothing at all about the other. I’d rather keep my unbeaten record if there are no rules about this…. :)
Does the fact a boxer doesn't switch weight divisions during their career detract from their overall P4P ranking?
Cos I'd take Hagler over most heavies in history, P4P, and also over "6 weight world champion" Oscar De La Hoya, and Marvellous Marvin never really messed about with his weight, did he?
by Chaos100 on Mar 4, 2009 7:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
no
You can put picks in for whatever. It’s encouraged to do them all, but Floyd Mayweather was encouraged to fight Margarito too. If you don’t know guys and don’t want to pick, then that’s fine.
"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler
by SC on Mar 5, 2009 12:21 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
OK, if you'd rather I went for it...
I know you aren;t forcing my hand, but since you obviously want people to pick on all three, and it’s your gig, I’ll go with it.
I’ll add;
Guerrero- TKO 5
(he is the one I knew next to nothing about…. Also, Brickhaus picked him, so I will go with the knowledge on this one!!)
Is that ok with you, SC?
Does the fact a boxer doesn't switch weight divisions during their career detract from their overall P4P ranking?
Cos I'd take Hagler over most heavies in history, P4P, and also over "6 weight world champion" Oscar De La Hoya, and Marvellous Marvin never really messed about with his weight, did he?
by Chaos100 on Mar 6, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If you want to throw in the picks I’ll count them. If you don’t I won’t. For real, it really doesn’t matter to me. We’re doing this for kicks and discussion and nothin’ more. I mean there’s a reason we’re only doing the “major” cards. I’m not about to put down picks on the four-rounders on FNF or anything. (Erislandy Lara KO-1!)
"If they cut my bald head open, they will find one big boxing glove. That's all I am. I live it." -- Marvin Hagler
by SC on Mar 6, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
picks
Kirkland KO 10
Ortiz by UD
Guerrero TKO 4
Brady Hoke, Al Borges, and Rocky Long. Aztec football is back!
by Sam (sdsuaztec4) on Mar 4, 2009 7:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
shocked by the number of Kirkland picks here
picks:
Kirkland TKO 2: If he doesn’t get it done early, Julio has the ability to take it to him. Kirk’s a dangerous body puncher, but notoriously head-hunts to his own detriment.
Ortiz TKO 6
Guerrero TKO 5
by lcollins1 on Mar 4, 2009 8:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO-7
Ortiz TKO-4
Guerrero TKO-5
-Brian
by bp on Mar 4, 2009 8:13 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I"m thru with predictions until a little later :). I always get it off by a round. Here’s just an opinion, Kirkland is over rated b/c he’s too aggressive and goes for the knockout too much. leaves himself open and off balance too much. An andre ward or a jermaine taylor would take advantage of that and knock him out. Guererro is awesome, a boxer with heavy hands. He’ll win some world titles. Victor Ortiz is amazing….. patient, good defense, great compact hooks, and very intelligent. He’ll be the next big thing. And… Andre ward 2009!
by cylee1180 on Mar 4, 2009 8:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
oops, didn’t know kirkland is a jr. middle weight. my bad! my opinion still stands!
by cylee1180 on Mar 5, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
picks
Kirkland KO-5
Ortiz KO-7
Guerrero KO-4
by TXroyal on Mar 4, 2009 8:39 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
ive been m.i.a
but ima get in the picks game now
julio ko 8
ortiz ko 6
and im with chaos on the third fight…
"After this, I'm gonna kick Bob Arum's ass."
-George Lopez
by thebitb on Mar 4, 2009 9:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
picks
Kirkland KO 8 – I saw Joel Julio get outworked by Ishe Smith. Let me write that again so it sinks in: I saw Julio get outworked by Ishe Smith. I don’t have any disillusions about how good Kirkland is. I think he is one step up away from a crushing TKOBY loss. That said, he will easily be able to outhustle and wear down a tomato can like Julio. Julio is all hype and no skill. He might stun Kirkland a few times but he’ll eat shots at a 4-1 ratio. By round 6 Julio will be surviving before the walls finally cave in.
Ortiz TKO 12 – I don’t know what to make of Mighty in this spot. If he’s not just here to cash a check than I think he will take Ortiz into the deep waters. I need to see what Ortiz is made of. I think this could be a spot where the fight is up for grabs and Ortiz needs something spectacular late, not completely unlike Berto/Collazo. I say he gets it done.
Guerrero – TKO 8 Don’t know anything about the opponent but Guerrero’s arsenal has always impressed me. Unless this is a hidden gem, I don’t see any reason Guerrero can’t get him out of there in the mid rounds.
by BabyBull1289 on Mar 4, 2009 10:04 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
TKOBY??
What does THAT mean?
Does the fact a boxer doesn't switch weight divisions during their career detract from their overall P4P ranking?
Cos I'd take Hagler over most heavies in history, P4P, and also over "6 weight world champion" Oscar De La Hoya, and Marvellous Marvin never really messed about with his weight, did he?
by Chaos100 on Mar 6, 2009 2:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
picks
Kirkland TKO 7
Ortiz TKO 10
Guerrero TKO 6
by missmanners on Mar 4, 2009 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO 5
Ortiz TKO 9
Guerrero TKO 5
The Dude Abides
by battle axe of doom on Mar 4, 2009 10:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Here we go
Kirkland tko 7
Ortiz tko 10
Guerrero tko 5
by Upstait on Mar 4, 2009 11:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
You guys will have to be my eyes and ears for these fights since i cant get them here. I hope i can time it right to be here for RBR
Kirkland TKO 7th – there will be a knockout and Julio has better defence but i think i think Kirkland lands the bigger shots
Ortiz TKO 5th – He out works out lands and out thinks his way to a TKO victory
Guerrero TKO 5th
by sigidy on Mar 4, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO 6
Ortiz UD
Guerrero KO 3
by Matt Miller on Mar 5, 2009 12:28 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
my picks
Kirkland TKO 5
Ortiz TKO 10
Guerrero KO 3
by BrianBrock on Mar 5, 2009 2:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland KO 8th
Ortiz KO 7th
Guerrero KO 4th.
by Zocalo on Mar 5, 2009 5:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland KO2
Ortiz KO9
Guerrero UD
Kirkland/Julio is a toss-up as far as I’m concerned. Honestly, I think Julio is the better all-around fighter, and if Julio can endure initial mental and physical tolls he will beat Kirland and even KO him. But he didn’t look good against the last southpaw he faced, and I can just see him getting nailed hard by a shocking straight left and floating off to never never land.
"I want to see ocean. I want to see black people. I want to see palms." - Wladimir Klitschko
by jrok on Mar 6, 2009 11:35 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Picks
Kirkland TKO-7
Ortiz TKO-6
Guerrero TKO-6
by DRose87 on Mar 7, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions 0 recs
Kirkland TKO 3
Ortiz TKO 7
Guerrero TKO 8
by boxingstudent on Mar 7, 2009 5:53 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

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