Saturday, October 5, 2013, HBO is back with another exciting World Championship Boxing fight card featuring Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez in the main event from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.
HBO will get the boxing day started at 3:30 pm, EST with Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin live from Moscow, Russia.
The fight card from Orlando kicks off at 9:45 pm, EST starting with a replay of the Klitschko vs. Povetkin bout, followed by Terrence Crawford vs. Andrey Klimov and ending with the main event, Cotto vs. Rodriguez.
Read on for our staff predictions and let us know who you think will win each fight.
Click here to view each staff members record.
Photo by Epsilon/Getty Images
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Klitschko is in amazing shape and it is hard for anyone to get passed his reach. Anyone has a puncher’s chance, but looking at how Povetkin came in at the weigh in, it is safe to say that Klitschko will win this fight. Teddy Atlas believes he has a shot at winning, but even he agreed that Povetkin looked terrible in his fight with Marco Huck in 2012. Povetkin looked tired in the middle rounds and, judging by the shape he came in at the weigh in, he is likely to have problems with conditioning again.
Prediction: Klitschko
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
I have a feeling this fight is going to be a sleeper, with nothing but jabs being thrown. I don’t see this match being a fight, but more of a match of skills. Klitschko has not lost in almost 10 years and I don’t see him losing now.
Prediction: Klitschko
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. This is the mantra Wladimir Klitschko has adopted since getting his chin checked years back, notably by the late Corrie Sanders. It’s hard to imagine Klitschko abandoning his safety first, if not effective, tactics vs Povetkin. In my opinion, Povetkin is too small and the difficulty he had vs. Marco Huck speaks volumes. Maybe if the late great Manny Steward was still alive, Klitschko would blast Povetkin inside six. But lets be honest, even with Steward, Klitschko wasn’t exactly Must See TV. I see an easy night for Klitschko with a late round stoppage.
Prediction: Klitschko
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Klitschko
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
Alexander Povetkin’s best chance to win this fight is to land something game changing within six rounds. After that, he will get gassed and Wladimir Klitschko will jab-cross him to death. Klitschko by impressive, and perhaps boring, victory.
Prediction: Klitschko
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Terence Crawford vs. Andrey Klimov
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Terence Crawford has boxing skills, speed, and is undefeated. Klimov is also undefeated, but he is not as skilled as Crawford. Klimov could barely keep John Molina off of him in their fight and he doesn’t have the kind of power to threaten Crawford. Crawford will likely find his rhythm by the middle of the fight and win a unanimous decision.
Prediction: Crawford
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
Terence Crawford is a great fighter that is making a big name for himself, and that name will keep getting bigger and bigger. Both Crawford and Klimov are good boxers in the sense of skill, but it will be Crawford’s power that takes out Klimov in the later rounds.
Prediction: Crawford
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
Terence Crawford is looking to keep the momentum rolling that he has built thus far in 2013 when he faces fellow undefeated contender, Andrey Klimov. The records suggest that each will be each others toughest opponent to date. Saturday night provides each man the chance to make a statement, but I have a feeling Crawford has the greater upside and has an excellent opportunity to show the viewing audience that he can be a real player in the Lightweight division. I look for Crawford to impress and show us that not only is he a blue chipper, but maybe even special.
Prediction: Crawford
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Crawford
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
I’ve been impressed with Terence Crawford ever since I first saw him against Breidis Prescott earlier this year. I think he will continue to impress against an over matched Andrey Klimov.
Prediction: Crawford
Photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank
Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez
Gabe Rivas, Contributing Writer
Miguel Cotto has been battle tested and has passed with flying colors. He has shown in his fights with Margarito that he has a great chin and can take any kind of pressure. However, in his fight with Trout he did have problems with someone taller and bigger fighting on the outside. Despite this, I still have Cotto winning because despite the size and reach advantage Rodriguez has, I believe Cotto will be able to outbox him on his way to a decision.
Prediction: Cotto
Brendan Montenegro, Contributing Writer
I believe this will be a great fight and a real test for Rodriguez. He is coming into the fight on a two bout win streak after a loss to Austin Trout, and his confidence is building. Cotto is coming in with two UD loses to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Austin Trout and lack luster confidence. This will be a war and in the end, I’m picking Cotto, he has been in the tougher fights and has the experience.
Prediction: Cotto
John Garita, Photographer/Contributing Writer
The key to victory will be Cotto’s brutal body shots and the offensive explosiveness that will break Delvin Rodriguez. Miguel Cotto will defeat Delvin Rodriguez via unanimous decision in round twelve. Cotto will end his losing streak and continue building upon his legacy.
Prediction: Cotto
Juan Carlos Burgos, Contributing Writer
The saying in boxing is that most great fighters usually have one last great performance left in them. It’s possible that Miguel Cotto’s fight vs. Floyd Mayweather was his last great night inside the ring. Delvin Rodriguez will have the opportunity this Saturday night to validate that statement and hand Cotto what would amount to a crippling defeat. Unfortunately for Rodriguez, I don’t think he is equipped with enough weapons to validate that statement. Rodriguez has not faced the consistent elite level Cotto has and adding Freddie Roach to his corner could give the Puerto Rican some needed new wrinkles to his arsenal. Cotto is not done yet. Although it’s questionable whether or not he can still compete at the elite level, I am confident he has enough left in the tank to defeat Rodriguez.
Prediction: Cotto
Rob Anthony, Contributing Writer
Prediction: Cotto
Alex Burgos, Editor in Chief
I’m really torn as to who to pick in this fight. Miguel Cotto looked more like an aging fighter than an ageless wonder the last time he was in action against Austin Trout, which sticks in the forefront of my mind. Much like Trout, Delvin Rodriguez possesses a considerable reach advantage over Cotto. How effectively Cotto is able to get inside may determine if he wins the fight. With trainer No. 568–ahem, sarcasm–Cotto now seeks to “go back to basics” and show that he still has the drive and fight left in him. I think Cotto will be motivated to put on a good performance in hopes of landing a big bout against Canelo Alvarez next.
Prediction: Cotto
Check out the photos from the Miguel Cotto vs. Delvin Rodriguez and Wladimir Klitschko vs. Alexander Povetkin weigh ins.
All Cotto vs. Rodriguez press photos by Chris Farina/Top Rank. All Klitschko vs. Povetkin photos by Getty Images.
