The Neutral Corner

It's a busy boxing schedule:

April 11, Showtime (ShoBox): Unbeaten super middleweight prospect James McGirt, Jr. (18-0, 9 KOs) appears in his first 10-rounder when he meets Carlos “Baby Sugar” DeLeon, Jr. (19-2-2, 12 KOs), in a match between the sons of two former world champions.

April 12, HBO: Miguel Cotto defends his WBA welterweight title against 'The Contender's Alfonso Gomez in Atlantic City. Cotto is streaking right now and everyone is mere fodder for this hard-hitting champ until Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally decides to call him. Gomez cashed in on his 'Contender' status which landed him in the ring with an aged Arturo Gatti. This will be a lot different. Also on the card, Kermit Cintron defends IBF welterweight title against Antonio Margarito. Don't look for the winner to meet Cotto. Cotto will probably face Ricardo Mayorga at the Garden in July.

April 12, Showtime: Chad Dawson (25-0) defends WBC 175-pound strap against former champ Glen Johnson (47-11-2) at The St. Pete Times Forum, Tampa, FL. Also, Clinton Woods (41-3-1) meets Antonio Tarver (26-4) for the IBF crown. This should be the start of a light heavyweight unification series. Cuba's Yan Barthelemy, who won a gold medal at the 2004 Olympics and defected from Cuba in December 2006 is also on the card.

April 19, HBO: Joe Calzaghe puts his unbeaten record on the line against 43-year-old Bernard Hopkins at The Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. The pick here is Hopkins by decision. At his best, Calzaghe was never as good as Hopkins. Plus, Joe's straight-forward style is taylor-made for B-Hop, who is as good a counter puncher as there is. Don't be fooled by Hopkins showing against Winky Wright, everyone looks bad against Wright.

May 3, HBO: Oscar de la Hoya tunes up for his September rematch against Mayweather by taking on another 'Contender' alumn in Stevie Forbes. Oscar is back on regular HBO, perhaps for the last time. Enjoy him now while you still can. -- CASSIDY