I'm planning to attend ALA Promotion's Pinoy Pride 27 that will headline Genesis “Azukal” Servania and “King” Arthur Villanueva dubbed "Duel in Dubai". My idea to watch this fight live pops-up because Dubai is less than an hour away from Kuwait. And the fight falls on Friday at the Dubai International Convention Center. It's my day-off actually and besides, a close friend of mine, Michael Imperial, ask me if I can come to Dubai for this fight. I assume he could share his place for a couple of nights. But due to the high air-ticket rates in August; I decided to give it a pass.

It's been a while that I was not able to watch live boxing fights. Not because I don't want to, but this is because I've been too busy with my day job. As a recruiter, I've got a huge manpower requirement to fulfill this last quarter of the year. It's a massive short term mobilization actually.

During the final press conference of "Honor and Glory" PPV fight card, Saul Canelo talks about how important his fight with Lara and how he will beat him.

Photo Credit: Hogan Photos

During the final press conference of the anticipated clash between Mexican Saul Canelo Alvarez and Erislandy Lara of Cuba, Lara pointed out that the best boxing style is the Cuban style.

"The Cuban style is the best style in boxing.  Everybody knows that we win the most medals at the Olympics, at international tournaments.  And that's shown throughout our history." said Lara.

Well, Lara has a point, the Cuban boxers had tremendous success especially in amateur boxing. One good example, is Lara's countryman Guillermo Rigondeux, which is I think, the most decorated amateur boxer in the sport before he dominate also the pro-ranks. And here is a link of the TOP TEN best Cuban Boxers complied by Marty Mulcahey of UCNLive.com, a new boxing website inaugurated today. You can read it here: http://ucnlive.com/the-pugil-list-10-best-cuban-boxers/

Cuban style found success in the amateur ranks because of its adherence to the basic fundamentals and tactical aspects of boxing. However, in the pro-ranks, the decorated amateur boxer Rigondeux had been branded as "boring" even by a network -- where his fight aired, when he schooled Nonito Donaire.

In professional boxing, which is purely business and entertainment, tactically sound fighters were usually branded as "boring". Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an exception because he compensate his style with his relentless verbal attacks outside the ring, coupled with his promotional antics, using all sort of social media. But boxing purists of course praise tactical and scientific boxing approach.

The tactical style, which tends to be Cuban's preferred style, will win fights (most likely on points), but at times, will not win fans. Whereas all-out brawler, (a fighter who fights toe-to-toe) normally earned fans -- win or lose -- which the usual Mexican style.

It is very exciting to see whose style will prevail for the Canelo-Lara match-up. Lara will bring the typical Cuban style, while Canelo presents the Mexican usual style. Both men have faced common opponents in the past, that has different fighting styles. Austin Trout is a slick fighter that Canelo struggled, but won. While Lara Dominated Trout. Another fighter is the hard-hitting, pressure fighter Alfredo Angulo that Canelo dominated from round one until the referee stopped the contest in round 10. While Lara was dropped twice by Angulo before he (Angulo) quit in round 10. Here's a video that "Shosport" released that discussed the common opponents of Canelo and Lara. Click here: http://shuttlepenboxing.com/2014/07/canelo-lara-against-common-opponents.html

On Saturday night, whose style do you think will win? And what other factors that will contribute that win?

Photo Credit: Esther Lin/SHOWTIME

Abner Mares is looking to return to the winning column and keep his career back on track. He said during the Grand Arrival at the MGM Grand that "Saturday it is going to be my night in the ring." But he knows what he's up to. "This fight is no walk in the park. Jonathan is a warrior and that's why I trained very hard".

Mares (26-1-1, 14 KO) is Transnational Boxing Rankings Board's rank number six featherweight. But I don't know about Jonathan Oquendo. Without taking anything away from Oquendo, but I like to see Mares fighting on a rematch with Jhonny Gonzalez. The guy who knock him out in the first round. The knockout he suffered in the hands of Gonzalez, in very first round should be avenged, if he ever wanted to pick-up where he left, prior to the Gonzalez fight.

Prior to the Gonzalez fight, Mares was atop of the featherweight division. Boxing fans wanted him to square off against Nonito Donaire, who was also the top dog at 122 division at that time, but because of this so-called "cold war" in boxing, that fight didn't happen.Instead, Donaire took Cuban Guillermo Rigondeaux and lost. Mares took Gonzalez and lost.

But Mares is hesitant to have a rematch with Gonzalez. I don't know if he doubt his own self now. But I agree that, that KO loss he suffered is really confidence zapping.Taking on Jonathan Oquendo (24-3, 16 KO) and winning is just a confidence booster. It will not keep to where he was a fight before. But losing this fight would bring him deep down to the deep list of featherweights.

I hate writing underdog off, but Oquendo's prominent opponents in his ledger were the exposed Juan Manuel Lopez and Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. and he lost both fights. But I like to see underdogs that rise to the occasion and win upsets. In boxing you will never know.

Oquendo was very confident and said "The knockouts come naturally to me; if it presents itself I will definitely knock him out." But he admits that he has enormous respect with Mares, "I'm not going to lie; I have a lot of respect for Abner Mares, but don't let that fool you. I don't feel any pressure, he's a great champ but there will be blood in the ring on Saturday, and it won't be mine." 

One thing that Saul Canelo Alvarez don't like about Erislandy Lara is that Lara "talks too much", says Canelo. I agree, Lara really talks a lot. If he's not talking, he'll not be able to get this fight against Canelo. In Canelo's post fight conference with Angulo, Lara asked Canelo "when can we fight". Canelo answered that he has to "wait".

But, Canelo was not able to keep his word and instead fight Lara next. I think Canelo's ego was hit at what Lara did in the post fight conference. And he's taking the fight personal. So, his ultimate mission is to silence Lara on fight night. I think Canelo has the tool to do so. He's bigger, and for me, much more powerful.

But, Lara is a precise puncher from the distance. He's also a southpaw, by default is a problem for orthodox because orthodox needs to adjusts. He needs to be precise from the distance if he wants to win against Canelo.

I look at their previous fights against common opponents, in Austin Trout and Alfredo Angulo. Lara won with ease against Trout. Canelo won but struggling against Trout. Angulo dropped Lara twice before stopping him in Round 10. Canelo dominated and stopped Angulo in Round 10 also.

But Canelo I'm sure was not 100% on Trout fight. He was sluggish and hydrated too much during the fight. With Angulo, he's too quick and too strong. I think he learned a lot on his fight against Mayweather.

Lara, was drop twice by Angulo, I suspect his chin. And Canelo punches harder than Angulo. With regards to speed I think Canelo is not light years slower than Lara. Against Floyd yes. But against Lara, I think its pretty even.

Now for me it boils to one thing. Who will be able to take one's best punch, and will able to come forward, will win. And I think that's Canelo. He will silence Lara on fight night.