Kovalev vs. Pascal II Picks

WBO/WBA/IBF World Light Heavyweight Championship: Sergey Kovalev (c) (28-0-1) vs. Jean Pascal (30-3-1)

Luke: Pascal was losing in their first encounter before he got TKO’d, but he wasn’t getting embarrassed.  He’s savvy enough to pick his spots, and he’ll probably fight safer this time, not wanting to get stopped twice in front of his home crowd.  Despite Pascal’s tough talk, I just don’t think he has the horses to beat Kovalev, no matter his strategy.  He’ll try to outbox him, and he’ll stay awake, but he won’t get his hand raised.  Kovalev via UD.

Nolan: I simply think this is more exposing Kovalev to the Canadian crowd in a slow burn to an Adonis Stevenson matchup. While Pascal is not a cake walk, Kovalev has shown the tools to be the top guy at light heavyweight and this fight won’t play out much differently as it acts as a pit stop to the fight everyone wants in the weight class. Sergey Kovalev by sixth-round TKO.

USBA Welterweight Championship: Dmitry Mikhaylenko (20-0) vs. Karim Mayfield (19-2-1)

Luke: Mayfield is a game fighter, a tough jorneyman, but he’s a middle-of-the-road fighter who’s 35 and coming in on very, very short notice.  Mikhaylenko is a dangerous welterweight on the way up, but Mayfield has a tough jaw and hard hands.  Mikhaylenko won’t be able to put Mayfield on the canvas, and in fact, Mayfield might even earn a flash knockdown, but over ten rounds, it’ll be too much to overcome.  Mikhaylenko via UD.

Nolan: Mayfield is a good test name for a prospect like Mikhaylenko. He has name value (especially after being namechecked by Mayweather as a potential opponent for his “retirement” fight), but doesn’t really pose a serious threat at his age. Add the fact he is a late replacement opponent and it is academic. Dmitry Mikhaylenko by unanimous decision.