Verbal jabs at Garcia not worth their weight

By Lyle Fitzsimmons, Sports Network

The Sports Network

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If the nonsense that's already plentiful 24/7 isn't enough, they've got no business starting here.

This week's title-fight schedule:

FRIDAY

WBC cruiserweight title -- Moscow, Russia

Krzysztof Wlodarczyk (champion) vs. Rakhim Chakhkiev (No. 2 contender)

Wlodarczyk (47-2-1, 33 KO): Fifth title defense; Seventh fight outside Poland (4-1-1)

Chakhkiev (16-0, 12 KO): First title fight; First fight scheduled beyond 10 rounds

Fitzbitz says: "The Pole is taking a risk by traveling to foe's native land, but he's still a level above anything the comparative novice has experienced thus far." Wlodarczyk by decision

SATURDAY

WBA welterweight title -- Brooklyn, N.Y.

Paul Malignaggi (champion) vs. Adrien Broner (unranked)

Malignaggi (32-4, 7 KO): Second title defense; Third fight in Brooklyn (2-0)

Broner (26-0, 22 KO): Sixth title fight (5-0); Never weighed-in at more than 140 pounds

Fitzbitz says: "The odds indicate a blowout for Broner in a welter debut, but it seems a more difficult challenge for the rising lightweight than the books indicate. Still, he wins." Broner by decision

Vacant WBC super middleweight title -- Brooklyn, N.Y.

Sakio Bika (No. 1 contender) vs. Marco Antonio Periban (No. 3 contender)

Bika (31-5-2, 21 KO): Fifth title fight (1-2-1); Held IBO title at 168 (2008, zero defenses)

Periban (20-0, 13 KO): First title fight; Fourth fight in United States (3-0)

Fitzbitz says: "Mexican suitor has a pristine record and a nice KO ratio, but none of the names compare to those Bika has beaten -- let alone lost to. Looks like another title for the veteran." Bika in 10

NOTE: Fights previewed are only those involving a sanctioning body's full- fledged title-holder -- no interim, diamond, silver, etc. Fights for WBA "world championships" are only included if no "super champion" exists in the weight class.

Last week's picks: 0-3

2013 picks record: 32-23 (58.2 percent)

Overall picks record: 495-175 (73.9 percent)

Lyle Fitzsimmons is a veteran sports columnist who's written professionally since 1988 and covered boxing since 1995. His work is published in print and posted online for clients in North America and Europe. Reach him at fitzbitz@msn.com or follow him on Twitter: @fitzbitz.

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