The sports world is focused on Tampa this weekend as the NFC champion Arizona Cardinals and AFC champion Pittsburgh Steelers square off for Super Bowl XLIII. With everyone’s attention on the big game (except Floyd Mayweather Sr.’s, who asked this reporter “Who’s Playing?”), 8countnews.com caught up with several members of the boxing community to give their opinions on how it’ll play out.
Sakio Bika – The Contender: season 3 champion, former world title challenger
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
“I watch the occasional game of American football. I would like Arizona Cardinals to win as Ben Graham is the first Aussie to ever make a Super Bowl final however I think the Pittsburgh Steelers will win. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL and they make plays all across the field. Their offense is very effective as they run the ball and have good weapons for Ben Roethlisberger to throw in. They have a lot of playoff experience and more importantly they won the Super Bowl just a couple of years ago. I think Arizona's exciting playoff run will come to an end at the hands of a better overall team.”
Rico Hoye – cruiserweight boxer – Star of The Contender: season 4, former world title challenger
Pick: Arizona Cardinals
“I’m living in Arizona now so I am rooting for them since my Lions stunk up the NFL!! Plus Warner is playing like he's a young gun again. Must be something in the water all the old timers are acting like they're young. Bernard, Shane etc.”
Micky Ward – retired junior welterweight boxer
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
“I’m leaning towards Pittsburgh because, even though I think Arizona is a great team, I think the Steelers have more experience in the big game and that’ll be the difference.”
Floyd Mayweather Sr. – elite boxing trainer / retired boxer
Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers
“I don’t even like football. Never played it in my life. But I’ll pick the Pittsburgh Steelers. It just sounds better than the other one (Arizona Cardinals).”
Edwin Rodriguez – middleweight prospect (9-0, 6 KO’s)
Pick: Arizona Cardinals
“I can’t root for the Steelers; they beat my team the Patriots this year. I also want to see Kurt Warner win the big one again! He has been around for a long time and he deserves another title!”
Larry Army – Manager Peter Manfredo / Edwin Rodriguez
Pick: Arizona Cardinals
“I pick the cardinals. I always root for the Patriots and the underdogs if the Pats don’t play”
Bob Trieger – boxing publicist
Pick: Arizona Cardinals
“I'm going with the underdog, Arizona 24, Pittsburgh 21. Love the Cardinals wide receivers and it seems like this club is destined. I have a feeling that this game could be a classic.”
Donnie Orr – middleweight prospect (14-0, 6 KO’s), former Canadian Olympian
Pick: Arizona Cardinals
"I'm taking the card's... Big surprise being that I am training in Phoenix right now. The atmosphere is electric in the valley of the sun and I believe that as of late the veteran athletes keep surprising the fans: B-hop over Pavlik and the well experienced Mosley and his amazing performance against Margarito. It's Kurt Warner's Turn to have his glory and get the Vince Lombardi trophy a little dirty here in the dessert!"
Steve Forbers - former junior lightweight titleholder, The Contender season 3 runner-up
"I'm gonna go with the cardinals in a shocker, I think the hunger and experience of kurt warner will be enough."
So out of the nine people polled, 6 pick the Cardinals and 3 picked the Steelers. Boxing fans love a good upset. We’ll see what happens this Sunday.
> BOXING SCHEDULE > ROY JONES JR. TORNADO FUNDRAISER > FIGHT LIFE MAGAZINE 
