Triple-header

I love the HBO triple-headers that don't have one huge fight, but three good matchups or showcases of up-and-coming fighters. It's like the first two days of March Madness. I feel like HBO used to do more of these, but maybe it just feels like that because the undercards of the big fights have been horrible lately.

This weekend we have two really interesting fights and one that would have been had Ricardo Mayorga not backed out against Alfredo Angulo. Let's start with Nate Campbell against Ali Funeka. Funeka is a 6-foot-1 lightweight, which is simply insane. He looks like a string bean, but he can crack. Funeka caught everyone's attention when he knocked Zahir Raheem down five times on his way to a huge fifth-round knockout. Funeka looked great in that bout, but Raheem had the ideal style for him. Raheem is long and lean and likes to box, but not nearly as long and lean as Funeka, so instead of boxing, Raheem had to go inside to get to his foe. It was clear that Raheem is not comfortable doing that, and he was ineffective. The knockout came on a massive straight right hand from Funeka, and if he can land a few similar punches against Campbell, he'll probably take the fight. But a guy like Campbell, who can go inside effectively and regularly, is going to give Funeka a lot more problems than Raheem. The key is whether Funeka can keep Campbell at a distance with his jab, or if he can land a big punch. I don't think he can. Campbell will win a tight decision.

Sergio Martínez faces off with Kermit Cintron in another really intriguing fight. Martínez is a good mover and throws great combinations--he's a 154-pounder who lets his hands go like a featherweight. For a guy who's only knocked out half of his opponents, he's a lot of fun to watch. The thing is, Martínez doesn't fight with that pressure style that really bugs Cintron. I think they will both look good in spots, and Cintron will have some big moments teeing off from a distance, but Martínez will take a competitive but clear decision victory.

And Angulo will walk through whomever winds up being thrown in front of him now that Pérez and Mayorga bailed.

Gancho is 5-2 on the year.