28.05.08 – By Cesar Pancorvo: A thing that ruins boxing is, a lot of times, the pointless and futile materialization of title defences between belt holders and fighters who are not even ranked in the Top15, and it looks like one of these fights can be Sam Peter’s next title defence, which might end up happening in England against Matt Skelton or Audley Harrison –it would probably be Harrison. Pointless and futile, no doubt.
I hope it doesn’t happen. Peter most probably won’t fight a ranked contender in his next July fight (he is probably looking for a tune-up to prepare for his October fight, the duel against Vitali Klitschko, a fight that has been talked about since February 2007, when Vitali announced his bizarre and motionless comeback. Let’s pray that he doesn’t injure again), but he has a lot of options that are far better than Skelton or Harrison, who, by the way, aren’t ranked in WBC’s Top15..
Skelton, who was used as a tune-up opponent for Ruslan Chagaev last January, obviously doesn’t deserve another title shot, it would be ridiculous; and let’s look at Audley Harrison’s recent resume: three losses, in his last six fights, against Danny Williams (he avenged that loss, though), Dominick Guinn and Michael Sprott. If Peter fights him it would be an execrable title defence, an irreparable damage that would consume the last ounce of status that this lax heavyweight division has.
Dino Duva, however, recently denied the rumours of a deal. Warren says X and Duva says Y, but who is telling the truth? Duva said that one of their options is that fight in England, at London’s O2 Arena, but that they are examining or discussing more alternatives. Harrison or Skelton should not even be options!
Peter’s people should try to negotiate with boxers like Vladimir Virchis, Hasim Rahman, Chris Arreola or Andrew Golota, fighters that are not top contenders but have clearly more prestige than Skelton or Harrison.
-Calzaghe-Jones was almost guaranteed after Joe beat Bernard Hopkins and Roy beat Tito Trinidad, but apparently its concretion is having problems because of some economical disagreements. Now there are talks of a very possible Pavlik-Calzaghe fight, which raises some questions: Would it be for Calzaghe’s 168 or 175 title? Is Calzaghe doing the right thing at the end of his career, or is fighting Pavlik too much risk? Will Joe reach 49-0 or 50-0? And now, will Roy Jones rematch Bernard Hopkins?