Official Picks for Klitschko-Chagaev and Diaconu-Pascal

by SC on Jun 18, 2009 8:00 AM EDT in Fight Previews Comment 43 comments

Wladimir Klitschko and Ruslan Chagaev square off Saturday for the vacant Ring Magazine world heavyweight championship, as well as the WBO, IBF, IBO and WBA titles. (PHILIPP GUELLAND/AFP/Getty Images)

View full size photo »

We're going to do both of this weekend's cards to be RBR'd here at Bad Left Hook. I know some folks haven't seen much of Diaconu in particular, but many of you have, and if anyone wants to not pick that fight, that's up to them.

Adrian Diaconu v. Jean Pascal (Vs. Network, Friday - Light Heavyweights, 12 Rounds - Diaconu's WBC title on the line)

Diaconu (26-0, 15 KO) won the interim WBC title last year in a fight against Chris Henry in Romania, which was picked up by Don King for one of his webcasts, but then crapped out before the fight could finish and everyone watching there missed the ending. It was a good fight, and the last time Henry looked very good, and it was a really close fight, too. Diaconu is no world-beater. He's unbeaten, but Pascal might be the best fighter he's faced.

Pascal (22-1, 15 KO) not only says that he and Diaconu sparred in the past (and guess who got the better of it, according to JP?) but says he should have no problems moving up to 168 because it means he can take it easier with his weight and eat what he wants. This is always a dangerous mindset. Kelly Pavlik thought he'd be better and stronger at 170 pounds, but what happened was he was weak and tired easily, probably in part because he just wasn't used to carrying that extra weight when doing his job, and because camp hadn't been such a grueling affair. 99.9% of fighters cut a good amount of weight to fight; the guys that don't often have real problems. Fighting at the walkin' around weight has a habit of troubling guys.

I've said it a lot about Pascal, because I like him more than many do: He's quick, but he's not that quick. He's got power, but it's not amazing. He's got good hand speed, but it's not exceptional. When he fights like he thinks he's a prime Roy Jones, he gets in trouble. When he fights like he wants to beat the other guy and prove something, he can be really good, as his December war with Carl Froch (his only loss) proved. If this is the Jean Pascal that took Froch 12 hard rounds, I think he beats Diaconu, but then I'm not sure how much real grit Diaconu has either. Maybe he has it in spades.

This is a genuine 50-50 fight. The last time Versus snagged a good, competitive, under the radar bout, Cunningham-Adamek broke out on our TVs. This could be a good one, too. Pascal SD-12

Wladimir Klitschko v. Ruslan Chagaev (ESPN Classic, Saturday, 5pm - Heavyweights - Vacant Ring Magazine world championship on the line; Klitschko's WBO, IBF and IBO titles on the line; Chagaev's WBA title on the line)

For as significant as this fight is, it boils down to two very simple things:

If Chagaev is at his best and can break through the Klitschko jab, anything can happen. He's not a huge hitter, but Klitschko isn't the sturdiest guy and didn't really prepare to fight a southpaw on this date.
If Chagaev can't get inside, Wladimir will paw at him, occasionally throw something semi-meaningful, and cruise to a decision where he doesn't so much win as the other guy sure as hell doesn't win, a la Ibragimov.

I'm taking door number two. Klitschko UD-12

0 recs | Comment 43 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

My first picks

Klitschko by decision. Diaconu by decision.

by Fj-3 on Jun 18, 2009 8:31 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

UD or SD/MD?

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by SC on Jun 18, 2009 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wait a second

Mr. ed., if I go UD and the fight turns out to be SD (or vice-versa, or any difference in my pick from the real result), would that be an L for my prediction? I’m sorry. You know I’m new on this. Thanks. This looks to be fun. =)

by Fj-3 on Jun 18, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

UD is different from MD/SD

MD and SD are classed as the same thing for this league.

Obviously each round counts of and for itself.

Good luck!! :)

Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)

by Chaos100 on Jun 18, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Also, as long as you pick the right fighter, it won’t go down as a loss, it will only mean you don’t get a ‘KO’ if you pick the wrong type of decision.

Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)

by Chaos100 on Jun 18, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, ok. I thought the KO column stands for KO pick in real bout.

Thanks a lot.

In that case, here’s my revised picks:

Diaconu, UD
Klitschko, UD

by Fj-3 on Jun 18, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dinks Picks

Jean Pascal UD 12
Hard pick for me as i dont know a great deal about Diaconu.

Wladimir Klitschko TKO 9.
I think a corner retirement or stoppage. Chag wont get near Wlad in my opp.

When you dream...anything is possible... People can fly. Sometimes theres a moment when you wake and become aware of your surroundings..but you are still dreaming... You may think you can fly but you better not try...

by dinkman on Jun 18, 2009 8:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Klitschko UD 12… in the most boring fight since the rest of them.
Adrian Diaconu KO 8…. just to be contrarian.

Wear something sexy to my funeral.

by Pops Daniels on Jun 18, 2009 8:44 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

After watching some more video

Pascal MD – I think he’ll spend enough controlling the outside that he won’t let Diaconu get on the inside. However, Diaconu will probably be able to time Pascal’s punches, and basically land short straight lefts at will.

Klitschko UD

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Jun 18, 2009 8:45 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My picks

Klitschko KO-8 (as much as I’d love to see it any other way.I’d really like Chagaev to beat him, but I think it’s a bit too soon for him)

Diaconu/Pascal- I honestly see this one going ‘draw’, but I haven’t got the nerve to pick that. I’ll go with;
Pascal – UD

Boxing is the beginning of all sports. I'm willing to bet that the first sport was a man against another man in a fight. (Omar Epps)

by Chaos100 on Jun 18, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm also going Klit via KO

KO 8 for the Klitman

And since nobody else will pick it… Pascal TKO 11 doctor stoppage

Gimme 1 round!

by ItBurnzWhenIP on Jun 19, 2009 2:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i got …

wlad tko 10
pascal ud

by 3zilla on Jun 18, 2009 9:02 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wladimir Klitschko TKO 8
Too much jab.

Jean Pascal UD
Nice and slick, fancy him for this one.

by bazzlad on Jun 18, 2009 9:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Klitschko UD (jab jab jab jab jab….)
Diaconu UD. Pascal at his best could make it tough, but Pascal is kind of streaky in the ring. Remember when he got buzzed by Omar Pittman?

by schraubd on Jun 18, 2009 11:06 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

picks

i REALLY want to pick chagaev here but i’m going the safe route here for once and pick wlad by UD in yet another dreadful “fight” by him. heres to chagaev getting inside and not head hunt but rather rip shot to wlad body to wear him down, if he does that, wlad will done by the 8th.

going to take diaconu by UD. its no cunningham/adamek but its a damn good fight. I’m loving what verses is doing with boxing (minus picking up the awful contender show) i just wish they did more cards.

by sonofapsycho on Jun 18, 2009 11:55 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i REALLY want to pick chagaev here but i’m going the safe route here for once and pick wlad by UD in yet another dreadful "fight" by him. heres to chagaev getting inside and not head hunt but rather rip shot to wlad body to wear him down, if he does that, wlad will done by the 8th.

Agreed. On all counts.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by SC on Jun 18, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

PICKS

KLITSCHKO by TKO 8th Round
PASCAL by UD

by JasonTryp on Jun 18, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Klitschko UD
Because… well, what Scott said. I really hope I’m wrong though, and that we do get some fireworks in either direction. Wlad can KO Rusty Chageav if he really tries to, and I think the Chageav of several years ago had a decent chance of hurting and then beating down Klitschko. In a weird way I’m rooting for Wlad, mainly because if King of Cancellation Chagaev grabs hold of the Ring belt, it could be adrift in la-la land for a while. Say what you will about Wlad, but he fights three times a year. As sonofapyscho says above, I believe that Chageav’s best chance is to try to soften he body up. Most people didn’t talk about this much, but I thought Tony T. did a halfway decent job of this, slowing Wlad down in several rounds.

Pascal SD
Another identical SC pick, and for the same reasons again. I also get the feeling that this could wind up being one those fights that’s just weird to score, and that Pascal will push over the top based mainly on one really good round or knockdown.

"This fight'll be the nastiest thing you'll ever see. I been sober for six weeks, and that makes me vicious."
-- Randall 'Tex' Cobb

by jrok on Jun 18, 2009 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

"In a weird way I’m rooting for Wlad, mainly because if King of Cancellation Chagaev grabs hold of the Ring belt, it could be adrift in la-la land for a while"

My feelings exactly. I pretty routinely root against Wlad, but not for this one.

Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."

by Brickhaus on Jun 18, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gospel

Kitschko TKO6
Pascal UD

by strike4A on Jun 18, 2009 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The Picks:

Klitschko KO 10
Diaconu UD

Boxing is like jazz. The better it is, the less people appreciate it.
-George Foreman

by jsims2 on Jun 18, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here we go

Klitschko-UD

Diaconu-tko8

by Upstait on Jun 18, 2009 1:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

My picks

Klitschko TKO 10
Pascal UD

by keyz on Jun 18, 2009 2:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Picks

WLAD — TKO 9 (Wlad will jabjabjabjabjabjabrightjabjabjabright his way to a boring, but effective stoppage)

Not going to venture a guess on the other fight, as I’m not very familiar with either man.

by The Boxer Rebellion on Jun 18, 2009 4:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Picks

WLAD KO 8
Pascal SD

by TXroyal on Jun 18, 2009 5:34 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wlad UD 12: jab, jab, grab, grab and bug out the eyes whenever a shot comes in; Wlad will do that in spades and take a decision over a shorter foe who will be unable to penetrate his long reach for any real length of time without being clinched. Chageav could provide some hairy moments with his movement and seasoning and could possibly force Wlad back on his heels a few times, but it won’t be enough against Wladimir “I won’t fight on the inside” Klitschko.

Diaconu UD: Pascal certainly is the flashier fighter and he has a good chin, but Diaconu brings steady pressure and at the very least keeps his hands up. Look for Pascal to get nailed enough times over his low guard to convince the judges to give it to Diaconu by a close margin.

by dervish686 on Jun 18, 2009 5:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Picks

Wlad UD
Pascal UD

by SkeedTom on Jun 18, 2009 5:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wlad – TKO 9 – Seems too much of a size mismatch. For the record, I think he would have taken Haye out even more quickly.

Pascal – UD – I plead ignorance on Diaconu. So am picking Pascal purely on having seen him fight. He is tough/ rugged but didn’t have the power to get rid of Froch despite connecting fairly often.

by Brett87 on Jun 18, 2009 6:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs