With so many fights this weekend, I decided to weigh in with my own predictions.
Devin Haney vs. George Kambosos 2
Based on not only what we’ve seen in the first fight, but on both fighters’ history, I don’t think the best version of George Kambosos can beat the best version of Devin Haney. Even if George had an amazing camp, makes adjustments and goes into this fight the best version of himself, I just don’t think his skill level meets a guy like Devin Haney, who’s always the best version of himself.
He and his team, they are just the definition of professional in terms of being in shape, condition, making weight. So, I think it’s flat out simple: Even the best version of George Kambosos isn’t skilled or hits hard enough to derail a guy as focused as Devin Haney.
Prediction: Devin Haney by unanimous decision again.
Claressa Shields vs. Savannah Marshall
Look, Savannah Marshall is a hard puncher but the storyline of her beating Claressa (in the amateurs) isn’t enough to intrigue me enough to think that she has a shot of beating a fighter like Claressa Shields who's way too athletic, fast, driven, focused. I just see Claressa winning.
Prediction: Claressa Shields wins by unanimous decision.
Mikaela Mayer and Alycia Baumgardner
Mikaela Mayer is obviously a very decorated amateur, very skilled, but Alycia Baumgardner, even though she might not have the extensive amateur career, if you watch her fight, her stance, her skill level matches up with any top fighter.
So, she has the natural ability. She’s a natural and we’ve seen that. It’s really tough for me to give a prediction on this, so I’m going to predict …
Prediction: It’s too intriguing of a fight. I normally make predictions but for this particular one, I predict it’s going to be a great fight.
Deontay Wilder vs. Robert Helenius
I think Helenius is a threat because of his size, but I just think that Wilder’s right hand is just way too fast. He has a chip on his shoulder and a lot to prove.
But coming off of the knockout loss, we don’t know what Wilder we’re about to get. If we get any version of vintage Deontay Wilder, that fight ends within six rounds.
Prediction: Deontay Wilder winning by knockout.
Caleb Plant vs. Andre Dirrell
Dirrell is coming off a big knockout victory but that was a while ago (July 2021). He’s been inactive. But Caleb Plant has also been inactive though he showed so much skill level against one of the pound-for-pound top guys in Canelo Alvarez. Even in a loss, he had great moments in that fight.
I think he has the momentum here. He’s younger than Dirrell. When you share the ring, even in a loss against the top fighter in the world at the time, you grow a certain level of confidence that you carry with you to other fights. So, he has that one up on Dirrell like ‘I’ve been in there against the best, I’ve had moments, I won rounds against Canelo.’
(Dirrell) had no moments against (David) Benavidez. That confidence is going to help Plant. I want to predict a knockout here, but I just don’t think Caleb has that pop. But you know what? I'm going to get risky with my prediction ...
Prediction: Caleb Plant wins by stoppage between rounds 9 and 12.