Round 7: Klitschko-Johnson + Bradley-Peterson + Diaz-Malignaggi II
Paul Williams got another win for both men last Saturday with a split decision victory over tough cookie Sergio Gabriel Martinez. And in the last Magno vs. Machine of the year,
Three fights this week must result in different opinions from Magno and Machine, surely? The heavyweight contest between Vitali Klitschko and Kevin Johnson will kick things off before a channel switch to Timothy Bradley’s defence against Lamont Peterson, then a return to HBO to watch another controversial moment in the tripleheader of Juan Diaz and Paulie Malignaggi. Wait, I’m getting ahead of myself.
Vitali Klitscko vs. Kevin Johnson
Magno: I'd like to believe in Johnson's big talk, but how can I? Johnson is a solid prospect with some decent tools, especially a very sharp jab, but he's still very green and unpolished...I hate for him to even be taking this bout at this stage of his career. I think his management team is possibly flushing a real future star down the toilet by matching him so tough, so fast.
I say Johnson's personal pride allows him to hang on much longer than expected, but he's in over his head. Klitschko will pick him apart and put a real hurting on the "Kingpin."
Vitali via TKO 9
Machine: The machine needs a comeback. This may be the week that could make or break the fight.
The second heavyweight contest of the Magno vs. Machine battle, Vitali holds nearly every advantage over unbeaten American Kevin Johnson. He has size, ability, experience and power advantage over Johnson, which surely means there can only be one result.
Johnson has a decent jab, something that Vitali struggled with early on against Juan Carlos Gomez. Vitali has an even better jab, which takes away Johnson’s main weapon.
Arreola had no footwork against Vitali in September. Johnson however, does possess a little movement, which means that Vitali would need to do more to land shots. Vitali’s opponents since his return have stood there like rabbit in headlights. Will Johnson do the same?
Kingpin begins bright, jabbing his way into a three round lead. He bruises Klitschko’s right eye and Vitali wants to go to war.
With his eye in tatters, Vitali begins to open up and turn on the pressure. He takes Johnson into deep waters and begins to punish Johnson in the middle rounds.
Vitali spots that Johnson can’t take the punishment, but is surprised by Johnson’s resilience. The referee spots that Johnson is in a spot of bother and steps in a bit prematurely but the stoppage was inevitable. Vitali Klitschko via TKO 9.
Timothy Bradley vs. Lamont Peterson
Magno: Bradley's gonna have a much tougher time than expected. Peterson is smooth, fundamentally perfect and smart beyond his years.
But Bradley has that spark of something special that will carry him ahead of Peterson.
Bradley takes the bout via razor-thin Split Decision, but I would not be surprised in the least if Peterson dethroned "Desert Storm."
Machine: The Showtime main event features two undefeated talented American 140 pounders. One is a dedicated champion, the other is a prospect on the up.
Bradley has been in the ring with very good operators, while Peterson lacks half the experience that Bradley’s had over the past two years.
Both are fast, athletic and have average power, so they match-up well in the skill department.
Bradley’s a dedicated champion, concentrating on bettering his game all the time. He will be focused for Peterson. Peterson will be determined to be champion. So the mentality for both fighters are evenly matched overall.
Peterson starts well, making the fight competitive and 3-1 up after 4 stanzas. Bradley shows some authority, quickly cutting Peterson’s lead into his gain. Peterson reduces the deficit, but it isn’t enough. Bradley the winner via unanimous decision, by scores of 115-113 all round.
Juan Diaz vs. Paulie Malignaggi II
Magno: If this fight is close, Paulie very well may have whined his way to a big win because I think he's getting every close round this time.
As my last article said, Diaz-Malignaggi, because of their styles and physical traits, will always be a close fight and this will be no exception.
Diaz will come on stronger to try and establish himself...something that Paulie needs in order to enact his own plan of defense-minded countering.
I see this fight as a carbon copy duplicate of the first one with a different result:
Malignaggi via close Split Decision...and thus begins the tepid call for boxing's most unnecessary trilogy.
Machine: The controversial first fight is a thing in the past. Everybody needs to forget the first fight, but can they? No.
This also includes the judges. How can they block the press quotes out to concentrate on their own situation? They’ll feel sympathy for Malignaggi, or feel hatred towards the brash Brooklyn native.
Malignaggi adapted his game for Diaz. He moved a lot more and flicked out the jab to stop the pressure from Diaz. Who will adapt their game the better for the rematch?
Diaz and Malignaggi trade rounds until the halfway mark. Diaz ekes out the next two, maybe not on the judges’ scorecards but on everybody else’s. Malignaggi finishes strongly, just like he did in the first fight. Malignaggi for the machine, by unanimous decision by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 115-113. Diaz isn’t happy, calls for a third fight and hey ho, we have the most pointless trilogy in history.
Current Scores: Magno 7-2 (2 KOs), Machine 6-3 (1 KOs)
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