ESPN PPV fight predictions
 Compiled by Anthony Cocks, Site Editor (April 22, 2005)
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ESPN dips its toe into the pay-per-view waters this weekend when it televises an exciting triple header this Saturday night. WBO welterweight champion Antonio Margarito defends his title against hot prospect Kermit Cintron, former pound-for-pound entrant Shane Mosley looks to get his sugar back at welterweight as he squares up against one-beaten David Estrada, and two-time heavyweight title challenger Jameel McCline battles unbeaten but untested prospect Calvin Brock. Read on to find out who the Doghouse Boxing scribes pick to win these bouts and why.
Antonio Margarito vs. Kermit Cintron
Aaron Imholte: This will be an outstanding and close fight. I think Cintron will walk away the winner in a fight that will go the distance. He will land the harder cleaner punches and walk away with a close 115-113 unanimous decision. Yes I am predicting the exact score.
Benny Henderson Jr.: This is will be a great fight to watch, Cintron has great power and Margarito is slick. I think Kermit will land some solid shots on Antonio and get him out in the middle rounds, unless Antonio takes him to the later rounds and just outworks him to get the decision. Hard to decide for myself.
Martin Wade: Cintron, if he can’t catch Margarito early won’t be able to adjust and show variation in later rounds. Margarito will absorb early punishment, use guile and edge out a split decision.
Victor Garcia: Antonio Margarito is a workhorse. He’s busy but hittable. His punches tend to loop a bit, leaving him open for straight punches. His opponent, Kermit Cintron, carries a lot of power but has yet to face anyone of Margarito’s caliber. Expect Cintron to be successful early, landing hard shots that back up the offensive minded champion. The exchanges between these two should be the highlight of the evening. After losing some early rounds Margarito’s experience and stamina will pull him through, and in the end, his volume punching will wear down the powerful Puerto Rican challenger who will put on a valiant effort. Antonio Margarito should win a gruelling twelve round unanimous decision.
Andrew Mullinder: We shouldn’t forget that it wasn’t too long ago when Margarito’s star was burning bright. He was undefeated since ‘96 and had ridden roughshod over a series of credible welterweights before unluckily dropping a technical decision against the enigmatic but underrated Daniel Santos up at 154. Cintron seems to have a bright future but his two best wins have come against men who have fallen short every time they’ve dipped their toes in world class waters. I see Margarito being too strong, determined and seasoned for Cintron. It should be competitive early but Margarito can wear Cintron down by the late rounds. Margarito TKO11
Alex Pierpaoli: Margarito.
Jess E. Trail: I see a rough, back and forth fight, with Cintron coming out on top via decision.
Ric Solivan: This is easily the best 147lbs. fight in recent memory and one that will not go the distance. This title bout has the potential to end in two ways but it will all depend on whether Cintron comes out the gates and intelligently attacks his foe hard or not. If not Margarito has the opportunity to negate The Killer's power on the inside and perhaps come away by a close decision. However the likely scenario sees Cintron smartly attacking the champion early putting in the same bodywork he did against Teddy Reid. If this happens Cintron will surprise his detractors and make it an easy and exciting win, frustrating the champion, ultimately breaking his spirit and ending matters in the 10th.
Rob Scott: I love a match-up when both fighters are still young and on the top of their games. Most of all I love when both really want it. This is one of those such match-ups. There can only be one winner though, and I think that winner will be Antonio Margarito. Even if I’m only going on experience, it's what I acknowledge in this fight. Cintron is ready to move to the next level, but I think that Margarito has been there already. He is ready to go higher. Margarito by decision.
Tom Gray: Margarito by knockout. I don't trust Cintron's chin and Margarito will find it.
Coyote Duran: I like Kermit Cintron, big time. So it might not surprise you all when I say that I predict an 8th round stoppage win for "The Killer" in the biggest fight of his life. Cintron will let his hands go and Margarito will only answer for just so long. Sorry, Tony. Cintron TKO 8 Margarito.
Peter Chhim: Cintron TKO Margarito. Cintron's technique has improved over his last few fights and he's become more difficult to hit, probably because opponents are too busying trying to defend themselves from his high-powered bombs. I respect Margarito's toughness and ability to trade, but to tell the truth, his performance against Santos last year wasn't very impressive and against his last opponent he wasn't very active or accurate early. Against a banger like Cintron, that willingness to trade, and inactivity early (which I don't think will be much of a factor against Cintron) may hurt his chances. I'll take Cintron by TKO, or UD, but I wouldn't be surprised if Margarito turned the tables on Cintron and stopped him.
Anthony Cocks: Margarito is one tough hombre who he has no quit in him, but I think Cintron will prove to have the superior skills on Saturday night by boxing a smart, effective fight from the outside. Cintron need set the tempo early and attack Margarito’s body at every opportunity, using stiff jabs and hard right hands to discourage the champion from coming in. Down the stretch Margarito will start pouring on the pressure, but providing Cintron’s right mitt holds up, I think he will have established enough of an early lead to win by split decision in a ‘Fight of the Year’ candidate.
Shane Mosley vs. David Estrada
Aaron Imholte: Look for Shane try and put this one away early. I don't want to underestimate Estrada but I think Shane will rejuvenate his career at 147 by winning this fight by a 7th round TKO.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Shane dropped weight which is much better for himself, and with his ring savvy and speed I see him taking it to the youngster. David is a good fighter but I don't think he is ready for someone like Mosley. I think the ring experience will play a big part in this one. Mosley wins by UD.
Martin Wade: Mosley’s second effort against Wright was dogged; he’s a lot stronger than a lot of welterweights can deal with at this point in his career. Mosley will put on an exhibition and stop Estrada in the middle rounds. This performance will put him in the mix for possible bouts with De La Hoya or Judah in late fall.
Victor Garcia: David Estrada is an extremely confident young prospect. He speaks like a man who is not intimidated. His trainer, Angelo Dundee, believes his largely inexperienced charge can win. Still, Estrada’s lone loss to Ishe Smith weighs heavily on his record. On the other hand, Shane Mosley has lost four of his last six bouts. He is also on his third trainer in what will be as many fights. The former champion has hinted that he will carry Estrada a few rounds so that he can get some work in. Rounds should not be a problem, however, because with Dundee’s vast experience guiding him, Estrada will put on an inspired show in a losing effort. Mosley is just too experienced and has faced far tougher opposition for Estrada to be able to pull off a major upset. Nonetheless, look for the match-up to go the distance with Mosley pulling out a unanimous decision.
Andrew Mullinder: If Mosley loses he’ll pack his gym gear away and leave us forever. But he won’t lose. He showed enough in his rematch against stand-out light middleweight, Winky Wright, to suggest he’ll have too much for Estrada at welter. Estrada doesn’t have the power to discourage or class to out-manoeuvre Mosley. Mosley TKO7
Alex Pierpaoli: Mosley.
Jess E. Trail: A game challenge by Estrada will be turned away via 11th round TKO.
Ric Solivan: In all honesty a loss for Mosely here will signal the end of his career, independent of whether it's close loss or not, as such Mosely's coming to prove a point and will be all over his opponent early, especially since Estrada will be bringing the fight to him. The only pending questions here revolve around Mosely's drop in weight (he put on some solid muscle to make 154 pounds) and his mindset after the heartbreaking losses to Winky Wright. Those looking for a reinvigorated version of "Sugar" Shane, maybe disappointed here but none the less he pounds a game Estrada to a ninth round TKO.
Rob Scott: I think that Mosley visited the house of the jr. middleweights, but now the welterweights is home. He will be strong at this weight. He won't be weighed down by unnecessary bulk. I think back to Shane’s fights after he beat De La Hoya the first time. He destroyed lesser opponents with ease. Shane knows he must make a splash; it's one that will leave Estrada all wet. Mosley KO 5.
Tom Gray: Mosley is shot, but even a shot Mosley blasts out a good Estrada by mid to late round KO.
Coyote Duran: I give Shane Mosley a slight edge over David Estrada in this one. Slight meaning that although Mosley is coming back to a better fighting weight, he still needs to acclimate before thinking that Estrada will be a soft touch. Mosley needs this win immensely but he won't knock out Estrada. Mosley needs to warm up his welter water before expecting to close the show early with a young, game fighter. Mosley UD Estrada.
Peter Chhim: Estrada UD Mosley. If you would have asked me for this pick 4 years ago, I'd have no problem in picking Mosley in a blowout, but times are different and as much as he doesn't want to admit it, so is Sugar Shane. Too much weight fluctuation, and too much muscle mass has soured Shane. He isn't the quick fisted, combination puncher with devastating power he once was at lightweight, or pre-Forrest for that matter. I haven't been high on Mosley since those "golden" days, and I think a young hungry lion like Estrada, who looked fearsome in his stoppage of Chris Smith, has enough moxie and firepower to pick up a win over Sugar Shane. It should be close, but I like Estrada by decision.
Anthony Cocks: Mosley has just about every advantage in this fight. He is faster, stronger, has better footwork and packs a much bigger punch. There’s no doubting Estrada is tough and may even be competitive in the first couple of rounds, but his style is tailor-made for Mosley to make a successful return to the welterweights. Look for Mosley to get some rounds in before KOing Estrada in 6.
Jameel McCline vs. Calvin Brock
Aaron Imholte: Calvin Brock arrives as he batters the bigger Jameel McCline with heavier hands and a better chin. Brock will make a name for himself in this fight, particularly in the 6th, when he disposes of McCline in a shocking blowout KO victory.
Benny Henderson Jr.: Jameel has a great jab, he is much bigger and can use size and reach advantage to keep Brock on the outside. But, his size can also be a factor I think. Weighing in around 270 as he did in the Byrd fight could pose a problem I think if Brock attacks the body. McCline came on strong in his last bout but lost steam in the end, that is where Brock's power could come in to play. Brock needs to carry Jameel to the later rounds and go for a late KO, or out work the big man and win by points. Sorry Jameel but I say Brock late KO.
Martin Wade: Jameel McCline tends to fade late and was even up in close exchanges with light hitting Chris Byrd. Brock is coming in with confidence, class and believe it or punching power. I see Brocks combination punching overwhelming an exhausted McCline in a late stoppage.
Victor Garcia: Calvin Brock is coming into this fight gleaming with confidence after knocking out his first real test in Clifford Etienne. His opponent, Jameel McCline, is entering the ring still stinging from his twelve round split decision loss to IBF heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. The more experienced McCline will be landing some telling blows and will be in the fight until he is stopped. These two one-time sparring partners will start respectful of each other. Brock will have a significant height, reach, and weight disadvantage against McCline. Still, Brock will be the busier fighter and will attempt to control the action from the opening bell. After the bombs start landing, ‘Big Time’ Jameel McCline will fold. Look for him to end the fight in between rounds while on his stool near the seventh or eighth stanza.
Andrew Mullinder: Brock goes into this fight as a pretty big underdog, but I’m desperately hoping that the heavyweight division can pull at least one decent prospect out of the malaise, so I’m going with Brock to upset McCline. McCline doesn’t really punch his weight and his stamina is suspect. He struggles against movers and is intimidated by punchers. And while Brock hasn’t looked outstanding in his career so far, I think he’ll be able to raise his game enough to beat McCline. Brock UD
Alex Pierpaoli: McCline.
Jess E. Trail: McCline will eat too many right hands, Brock by decision. McCline's power, though good, doesn't match his size.
Ric Solivan: McCline like Mosely is between a rock and a hard place at the moment, he is coming off a spirited effort against Chris Byrd that still resulted in a loss and worse, saw him dominated by the smaller man in the last half of the bout when he literally ran out of gas. "Big Time" is facing an undefeated fighter in Brock who is not only a solid opponent, but possesses the tools necessary to beat him (good power and movement) if the 270+ pound behemoth tires early again. However McCline has two less rounds to worry and Brock is by far more hittable than the IBF title holder. McCline will likely take a close decision over the less experienced Brock.
Rob Scott: I like Margarito's experience in his fight with Cintron and maybe I should feel the same way about McCline in this fight - but I don't. Never have I seen a person so big leave such a small impression. He has the size and athleticism that should mean a great deal, but it hasn't meant enough. I'm not sold on Brock either, but if he comes to win, I think he will. Brock in an upset decision.
Tom Gray: Brock to win a comfortable decision against McCline who can be a little too slow and negative.
Coyote Duran: Jameel McCline, solid as he is, is terribly tentative with his approach to the big fights. That's why I believe he'll be uncertain on how to deal with Calvin Brock. It's that lack of thorough confidence that'll help Calvin Brock walk away with a split decision victory.
Peter Chhim: Brock SD McCline. I used to high on McCline, but after he faded against Chris Byrd during his last outing, I don't think he'll ever get to that upper echelon of current heavyweights. If he couldn't put away a stationary Byrd, I doubt he'll be able to do it against the tap dancing Brock. I think it will be close because McCline is still dangerous when he wants to be, and that should secure him his share of rounds. But at the end of the day, I'll take Brock to be active and efficient enough to pull out a close UD, or SD win.
Anthony Cocks: This is a tough fight to pick but I’m leaning towards Brock. He’s young, hungry and he can punch a bit. Despite McCline’s size he doesn’t often use it to his advantage and I think Brock will capitalize on this en route to a close decision win.
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