Theory into Practise: May 15th

Amir Khan (21-1-0, 16 KO/TKO) vs Paulie Malignaggi (27-3-0, 5 KO/TKO)

On the Line - WBA Light Welterweight Title

Prediction: Khan by KO/TKO

Comment: Athletically the edge is with Khan, who is at least as quick, if not quicker, a much harder puncher and the younger man in the fight. Technically Khan also has the edge, with a far more textbook offence built upon the principles of the jab and the left hook his coach Freddie Roach emphasised before Khan's recent demolition of the over-matched Dmitriy Salita. Mentally the edge would have to go to Malignaggi who has the benefit of a level of durability oxymoronic to his physical appearance, the extra experience in World title fights and home support in the bout. Malignaggi should keep himself competitive in the fight with his sound fundamentals, but expect Khan to grind him down as the fight continues, as Malignaggi fails to exploit Khan's apparent chin weakness. I expect the referee to stop the fight as Malignaggi eats a combination in the later rounds.

Kevin Mitchell (31-0-0, 23 KO/TKO) vs Michael Katsidis (26-2-0, 21 KO/TKO)

On the Line - 'interim' (read: bullshit) WBO Lightweight Title

Prediction: Mitchell by Decision

Comment: In a fight that could potentially be a war for the ages, this fight fan believes that the fighter most willing to box will succeed. Neither fighter would be wise to engage in warfare, despite the fact that both men have shown excellent, neck-length beards in the past. It is Mitchell that seems to have the superior boxing ability, if not the experience at World-level that Katsidis has. Expect Mitchell to lure Katsidis into wild exchanges, but counter punch rather than slug. Katsidis will have moments, as Mitchell isn't the finished article defensively, but I expect him to be a largely frustrated figure as he fails to get the better in exchanges. This is a true pick-em fight however and this fight fan won't be staking any more than his reputation on the bout.

Nate Campbell (33-5-1, 25 KO/TKO) vs Victor Ortiz (26-2-1, 21 KO/TKO)

On the Line - another chance at the big time for the victor (pun completely intended) and relegation to the fringes for the loser

Prediction: Ortiz by Decision

Comment: This should be a feisty encounter with both men looking to prove themselves worthy of another shot at the big time. Ortiz, branded a 'heartless quitter' by one fight fan who wishes to remain anonymous (not this fight fan!) following his TKO loss to the fearsome Marcos Maidana needs to prove he has the mental game to match his undoubted technical and physical talents. Campbell, branded an 'utter hypocrite' by one fight who happens to be the author of this piece, following his failure to make the weight for a lightweight title bout against Ali Funeka in February of 2009 (following the cancellation of Campbell vs Joan Guzman due to Guzman failing to make the weight for what turned out to be the first of many occasions and Campbell's subsequent indignation), needs to prove himself once more following his non-starter of a fight against 140-pound king Timothy Bradley. I expect a far more mature performance from Ortiz, staying disciplined behind a tighter defence. Down the stretch his size advantage and athletic advantages should prove too much for the far older Campbell who will look to make the fight an inside affair.