Staples Center, Anaheim, CA
Abner Mares (24-0-1) vs. Anselmo Moreno (33-1-1)
Boxing360’s Pick: This is the fight of the week. Two men at the top of their game battling it out. If Donaire-Nishioka was a younger champion taking out the established older champion at super bantamweight, this fight establishes the clear and present danger to Guillermo Rigondeaux and Nonito Donaire.
Mares is an all-around fighter. Moreno is a defensive wizard who defended his belt at bantamweight 11 times before making this challenge for Mares’ belt.
Longer, taller and more elusive, we like Moreno to squeeze out a split decision win.
Leo Santa Cruz (21-0-1) vs. Victor Zaleta (20-2-1)
Boxing 360’s Pick: Let’s be honest. This is a tune-up fight for the war machine that is Santa Cruz. Enjoy him, fight fans. He’s going to bring it every time he fights. Santa Cruz by knockout.
Alfredo Angulo (20-2) vs. Raul Casarez (19-2)
Boxing360’s Pick: A long time off and coming out of a knockout loss to James Kirkland is a lot to shake off. Angulo is now with Virgil Hunter. Let’s see if that changes anything for the Mexicali slugger. Angulo by knockout.
Antonio Orozco (15-0) vs. Danny Escobar (8-1)
Boxing360’s pick: This kid is another exciting prospect from Espinoza Boxing and Golden Boy. Another stay busy fight, we think Escobar can give some rounds and action before Orozco’s pressure attack cracks him. Orozco in 6.
O2 World Arena, Hamburg, Germany
EPIX
Wladimir Klitschko (58-3) vs. Mariusz Wach (27-0)
Boxing360’s Pick: Wach has knockout power but is not proven on the world stage. Klitschko is inspired by the loss of his trainer and mentor, Emanuel Steward. All of this says it will be an explosive fight. Wlad will fight with passion and get Wach out of there in a 7 round war.
MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV
HBO
Erislandy Lara (17-1-1) vs. Vanes Martirosyan (32-0)
Boxing360’s Pick: This is the other fight of the week. Lara is a southpaw Cuban power puncher who has hit his stride in recent years. Maritrosyan is a Armenian Olympian who has never quite broken through. At junior middleweight, where Saul “Canelo” Alvarez is king, this is for the right to face him.
We like Lara to hurt Maritrosyan early but hit the canvas himself in this one. Lara wins by decision.
Mikey Garcia (29-0) vs. Jonathan Barros (34-3-1)
Boxing360’s Pick: Garcia is as sharp a shooter as there is in boxing. He takes his time, he gets you in his sights and you’re gone. We like him to do the usual business to Barros inside the distance.
