Christian Cruz – Let’s spare ourselves from the disappointment of watching the potential biggest boxing match since Leonard – Hagler transform into a legal fight, with an angry Pacquaio who looks like there’s no stopping him in pursuing a slander case against both the Mayweather camp and Golden Boy Promotion, which is representing Mayweather for this negotiation.
It seems that both Mayweather and Pacquiao are making it difficult to give us the best fight of 2010. As we begin the new year with no sign that the fight will push through, here’s a wish list of other boxing matches we desperately need to see this year.
Paul Williams (38 -1-0) vs Sergio Martinez (44-2-2) II
Though we already know that these guys are competitors who do not hold back in every round, nobody expected their first fight to be that competitive and action-packed. The back and forth battle all throughout the fight, the drama of having to get up from a knockdown to score your own knockdown, and the seemingly controversial decision, the rematch of these boxers is the one fight boxing fans, casual or not, should wait for..
Timothy Bradley (25-0-0) vs Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2)
If the fight with Mayweather falls off, this is one of the two potential Pacquiao fights that we ought to see. Bradley has shown in his last few fights that he has the complete package to be the future face of boxing. Great boxing skills and athleticism, solid chin, and the attitude of a throwback fighter who fights everyone, Bradley presents the best challenge to the reigning P4P best in Pacquaio. Perhaps, it is too early to tell this, but I will say this nonetheless: The match-up could be the most exciting, most explosive fight in the horizon next year. Bar none.
Manny Pacquiao (50-3-2) vs Shane Mosley (46-5-0) / Andre Berto (25-0-0)
Aside from the Bradley fight (I am no longer counting on the Mayweather fight), this is the only fight for Pacquaio that matters. To further cement his legacy in the ATG, and to prove he can rule a division, he needs to fight the winner of this championship match. Berto, like Mayweather, Jr., is a slick, technically-skilled young champion who should give Pacquiao a stylistic nightmare. Mosley, on the other hand, would bring his experience, athleticism, and power to try to out brawl Pacquiao in possibly a FOTY contender.
Yuriorkis Gamboa (16-0-0) vs Juan Manuel Lopez (27-0-0)
Gamboa is one great prospect against a prime and hungry young lion like Lopez; this has the potential to be the next Rafael Marquez – Israel Vasquez trilogy. Both has taken on all the fights they could possibly take, and though there are still some names in their respective divisions they could take, this match-up between two very good boxer-punchers has been the talk of the boxing world for some time now. It has to happen, and it has to happen in 2010.
David Haye (23-1-0) vs Vitali (39-2-0) or Vladimir (53-3-0) Klitschko.
It is about time the talk must be backed up with walk, and if this fight never happens next year, it would be the time for David Haye to just shut his mouth permanently. Let us face it, the heavyweight division right now is all about the Klitscho brothers, and nothing else. It is not about the Arreolas, the Thompsons, the Peters, and especially not about the Ruiz’. So when a fighter goes up to mix in the division, it is because he wants to fight the Klitschos, not someone who was beaten clearly by a weigh-jumping Jones, Jr. eons ago. Next year is the only year for it to happen.
Fights we no longer need to see
Rafael Marquez (38-5-0) vs Israel Vasquez (44-4-0) IV
The trilogy has told us everything we need to know about these two great warriors: heart, skills, power, and determination. No drama and violence can top the three epic, gritty fights Marquez and Vasquez have showed us before. If ever, the talked about plan of a 4th fight could only put their careers and health in jeopardy. The damage they have taken in their last three tussles is enough for them to retire while they are still in good health. They can have an easy payday and fight anyone else, but not each other. They can do these and no one would raise an eyebrow. They deserve it.
Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1) vs Roy Jones, Jr (54-6-0)
Hopefully, the knockout loss of Roy Jones, Jr. to Danny Green at the end of 2009 put an end to this absurd planned rematch. Jones, Jr. should have closed his boxing career in 2005 right after his last knockout loss against Antonio Tarver. Instead, he went on and gathered meaningless victories until he was humiliated for 11 straight rounds by Joe Calzaghe and reminded those of us who forgot that he is no longer a relevant fighter these days. On the other hand, Hopkins, whose his age suggests he should be retiring, is still an elite warrior and should set his eyes against meaningful fights rather than cash in on the skeleton of his tormentor.
Edwin Valero (26-0-0) vs any other bum
The fight with WBC lightweight champ Antonio De Marco (23-1-1) is a good start for the Inca Warrior to prove his power is not just effective against cab drivers and jaywalkers. The world has waited so long for the son of Fischer to showcase his exciting style of play, and any fight with non-contenders and legit bums should be immediately canned off.
Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (45-0-0) vs Matthew Hatton (37-4-2)
Mayweather, a man whose talent and technical brilliance are comparable to Pernell Whitaker, but whose hunger to pursue challenges seemed to have left him when he went up to the welterweight division, should really be criticized if this fight happens. Fighting against Hatton, whose record still positively masks his lack of talent and skills in the ring, Mayweather’s winning streak has no chance to be broken. Not an ounce I am afraid. There is no way to justify this fight, other than this can give the Pretty Boy an easy payday, which he supposedly did against Juan Manuel Marquez in his last fight.