15.01.07 – By James Slater: Sure, there are some great, or at least potentially great, fights being staged in the coming year. But there is always more the matchmakers can do. And, without wanting to sound greedy, the following five choices are mine as far as mouth-watering bouts that I want made in 007. In fact, for both the benefit of the fans, as well as for the talented boxers themselves, I feel these fights can, and definitely should, be made. There may be other, more choice match-ups for many a reader, but for me personally the following five fights must be made..
1. Wladimir Klitschko vs. Nicolay Valuev.
The biggest possible match-up at heavyweight – quite literally. Not only would this pairing produce a touch more clearer picture at the top of the big men’s division, the fight would also draw much interest from casual and hardcore fight fans alike. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t tune in for this one? Though possibly grudgingly in some cases ( those who see “The Beast From The East” as nothing more than a freak-show, for example) fans around the world would want to see the outcome, and would pay their money so as to be able to do so. Prediction: Klitschko by ninth round KO.
2. Manny Pacquiao Vs. Marco Antonio Barrera II
A fight we all want. And though I’d have to agree with the majority, who see a repeat win for the Filipino superstar, I have a feeling the fight just might tell us quite a lot about both men – especially in the, “Who wants it more dept.” This fight could well be a classic. Prediction: Pacquaio by unanimous decision.
3. Bernard Hopkins vs. Joe Calzaghe
This fight has been a possibility for quite a long time. Depending on who you believe though, one guy out of the two didn’t want to know. We all love watching Joe Calzaghe fight, while we all love B-Hop, period. I for one want to see just how good “The Pride of Wales” is though. This fight would tell us. Prediction: Hopkins by split decision.
4. Ricky Hatton Vs. Junior Witter
This one is, admittedly, purely for selfish reasons. Selfish reason number one, I want to see “The Hitman” shut Witter’s big mouth. Selfish reason number two, It would be a huge occasion for Britain. And selfish reason number three, if my prediction is correct we may never have to see Junior in another high profile event again – I think his style of boxing sucks!
Prediction: Hatton by late rounds KO.
5. Somsak Sithchatchawa Vs. Mahyar Monshipor II
Their first fight hardly any of us saw – live at least. Thanks to our good friends at You-Tube, however, the brutal and incredibly exciting instant classic found its way to many fight fan’s living rooms. And while I agree that subjecting both men to another punishing encounter may be somewhat selfish, this time at least they would be baring their souls on a (presumably) much bigger stage – and for the well deserved money that goes along with it. Both men more than earned whatever they were paid last time out, and if they both double, triple, or even quadruple their earnings next time, then great. Fight two could be absolutely massive! Prediction: Sithchatchawa by unanimous decision.