Brewster-Golota Fight Predictions

'Tis the season to be fighting and week after week of interesting matches seem to be the norm. This weekend is no different. Perennial foul-meister Andrew Golota gets another shot at the heavyweight crown. He was this close to winning the title in his last two outings. This time it’s Lamon Brewster’s belt Golota wants, in a bout that could go either way. How do the writers of The Sweet Science see it?

Golota by decision in a somewhat exciting fight.
Mitch Abramson

Golota finally seems to have some common sense to go along with his solid all-around boxing skills. And, perhaps more surprising, the “Foul Pole” is relatively well-preserved despite being around for almost a decade now. With his new mental stability, Golota ought to outclass Brewster, who's tough and willing but outmatched here. Golota by unanimous decision.
Matt Aguilar

I have a feeling I'll be alone on this, but I like Brewster, and quite possibly by late stoppage. Golota has been “close but no cigar” in two fights many felt should have gone his way, so many are looking for the third try to be a charm. I believe the opposite to be true. While he hasn't offered the meltdown we were all looking for in his recent bouts, Brewster is durable enough to have Andrew second-guessing himself as the fight goes on. Lamon may be limited, but one thing he never does is lie down. I hate basing my pick on intangibles – especially when I know that one guy is more skilled than the other – but I see them playing a huge role in this fight. Brewster TKO 11, with Andrew up on all three cards at the time of the stoppage.
Jake Donovan

The Foul Pole has come extremely close in his last two title tries (vs. Chris Bryd & John Ruiz). This one'll be third-time lucky for him. Lamon Brewster won't be able to handle Golota's strength on the inside nor his power. Barring a mental breakdown–which we all have come to expect from Golota–look for Brewster to fold up under Golota's pressure and become an ex-champion around the ninth round. At long last, Andrew Golota will become a champion.
Randy Gordon

Now for the prediction: Golota by unanimous decision. Brewster is a durable fighter and should be able to withstand Golota's power for 12 rounds. But the Foul Pole can bank enough rounds, and if he stays on his best behavior and doesn't surrender any points, he should finally receive that elusive world title.
Tim Graham

Lamon Brewster, holder of the fringe – but suddenly important – WBO belt, is quickly dismissed as a one hit wonder. That’s what losses to Clifford Ettiene and Charles Shufford will lead to. Don’t rule out the possibility that his power is the real thing. We should also recognize that with his victory over Wladimir Klitschko came a boost in confidence – confidence gained by coming back from the brink. But hold that thought. Andrew Golota, easily a candidate for boxing’s most wasted talent award for past misdeeds, is coming in with some boosted confidence of his own. Robbed in successive title shots at Chris Byrd and John Ruiz, Golota should be fighting a title unification bout with Brewster instead of challenging. He has a proven ability to go the distance and fight hard along the way. He’s not a great hitter, but he’s very strong and his chin, if not concrete, is solid. He’ll get to Brewster late. Golota by KO in 10.
JE Grant

I'm going with Brewster. No sound boxing reasoning here, I simply like him better.
Amy Green

The outcome of this WBO Heavyweight title fight will be determined by its champion, Lamon Brewster. Brewster is the better skilled, more athletic boxer and, at this point, the better fighter than the past-his-prime (yet still very dangerous) Andrew Golota.  Brewster's greatest attributes – his heart and character – can never be questioned. Unfortunately, the same can't be said about his conditioning. If Brewster comes to fight, battle ready and in shape, he will beat Golota. If Brewster disrespects the championship belt which he has worked so hard to attain and enters the ring in “Kali Meehan shape,” he will lose his WBO belt to the rugged, title-starved Golota. I have faith in Lamon Brewster, originally trained by the late Bill Slayton (one of boxing's greatest all-time trainers) and feel he is much better than what most boxing writers say. Lamon Brewster will beat Andrew Golota via TKO . . . 8-10 rounds.
Mike Indri

The arena figures to be teeming with more Golota supporters than ever before, and history suggests that under the weight of such circumstances poor Andrew won't be able to help himself: Brewster by DQ in six.
George Kimball

Andrew Golota is a better boxer than Lamon Brewster, but it may not matter. Despite two losses to mediocre Clifford Etienne and Charles Shufford and absent a name victory over anyone who didn't beat themselves, I find myself picking Brewster to beat Golota in the Pole's Chicago hometown where he finds time to fight for heavyweight titles in-between impersonating police officers. Golota failed in his past two trips into the ring as he challenged for the IBF (D12 Byrd) and WBA (L12 Ruiz) belts and goes for the trifecta taking on Brewster for his WBO title. Unfortunately there are plenty more alphabet titles for Golota to chase after this one, but he is now 37 years old and one brain cramp away from leaving the sport for good … this time. If nothing else, Brewster can take a shot and will be there in Golota's face all night long. He hits hard enough to hurt Andrew – and once that happens it is all downhill. No point in overanalyzing this one from an Xs and Os perspective, as these two don't leave much to breakdown, but it could be a very entertaining fight nonetheless. Brewster is the mediocre man's champ, but he gets to see another title defense. Brewster over Golota.
Joey Knish

Andrew Golota has been too quiet, too normal lately. Believing that most things in nature revert to their mean, I expect something bizarre to happen (i.e. the final blowup of Andrew Golota). He knows this is his final shot at a title and the glory, riches, and pressure that comes with it. Lamon Brewster, while not the most talented boxer in the division, has as much heart as anyone. I see the early rounds going much as Brewster's fight with Klitschko, with Brewster taking a beating. But in the middle rounds, Lamon will take Golota's soul as he storms back, prompting the Foul Pole to implode around the 8th round.
Marc Lichtenfeld

Surely, surely, surely Golota has to succeed this time. He's been active and effective in good company and has the tools and stamina to outbox a very ordinary champion. Brewster can carry a shot though and I doubt Golota will crush him early. I'll go for a mid-rounds stoppage, with Brewster bloodied and battered and rescued from his own bravery. Golota TKO8.
David Payne

Let’s see, do I want to have a root canal, or do I want to sit through an IRS audit? Lamon Tajuan Brewster, who rules the WBO, or Andrzej Golota, who once mugged a guy out of his shoes in Warsaw? Brewster, who beat Wlado the Horrible Klitschko, or Golota, who has made a living losing the Big Ones? Ugly. Somewhere Joe Louis is asking: Why do they keep matching my Bums of the Month? It comes down to this . . . if Brewster remembers to wear his protective cup, he’ll win by decision.
Pat Putnam

Brewster, like always, will absorb a lot of punishment — especially early — with sharp combinations … But he'll suck it up and — behind on all cards — he'll impose his will with his left hook. And then it will be a level playing field — who wants it most. When it comes down to character, Brewster will find a way to win … and once more leave a big part of himself in the ring. But can he retain his belt in a town with a bigger Polish population than Warsaw? That's the real question; he'll earn it … but will he get it?
Joe Rein

On paper, this should be a blowout victory for Andrew Golota, since heart and determination are never factored into the tale of the tape. If they were, Lamon Brewster would be ranked much higher. Golota will start off strong, firing his jab and right cross with pinpoint accuracy. But Brewster, who has proven dangerous even after absorbing great punishment, will make his presence known when the fight looks way out of reach. Brewster by KO in 10.
Aaron Tallent