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Here are five fights I'd pay to see in during the remainder of 2007. Would you?
Paul Williams vs. Antonio Margarito: Time for Margarito to put up or shut up. And the "The Punisher" might just be the one who zips his clam. Indeed, the tall Williams, who has emerged as one of the brightest prospects around with impressive wins over previously unbeaten Walter Dario Matthyse, and Sharmba Mitchell, has been calling out Tony for some time now. The 6'1'' Paul with his incredible 82 inch reach is the mandatory challenger for Tony's belt. This should be a fight between a stylist/power puncher and a brawler/power puncher...and should tell us a lot about both fighters. Is Williams really the next Hearns? Is Tony a figment of Arum's hype or is he the real deal? The question has been energized by Tony's recent showing against Clottey. I am frustrated with Margarito because it's never quite clear who his next opponent will be. His one round demolition of Manuel Gomez was fine, but it was no big fight...and big fights continue to elude him. Time to Bigup and fight Williams. Let's see what you got.
Miguel Cotto vs. Ricky Hatton. Body bombs away as the winner steps to the fore. An even and entertaining match up if ever there was one. Both fighters are incoming and are willing to take punishment in order to mete it out and both are brutal body punchers. Something has to give in this one. This could be Hatton's redemption for his less-than-stellar showings against Collazo and Urango. As well, this could shut up those critics who say Cotto either takes too many shots or has not fought the most threatening opposition (read Branco, Malignaggi, Urkal, etc). Of course, he needs to get by seemingly made-to-order Zab Judah if that fight takes place.
Joan Guzman vs. Edwin Valero: Dinamita's amazing ko streak vs. Guzman's undefeated record. The slickster/puncher vs the power puncher. Venezuela vs the Dominican Republic. With Valero's brain scan issues lingering, he is somewhat of a mythical figure in North America but his amazing ko record is no myth. This fight could take place either in South America or in some Asian country other than Japan where Valero might get some "home cooking" in the extremely unlikely event the fight went the distance. The winner would be heir apparent at super featherweight. I see the slick Joan taking out a game Valero by early KO in a shoot-out.
]Jorge Arce vs. Vic Darchinyan: A mini-LaMotta or Mayorga vs an incoming brawler throwing menacing hooks. Don't go to the refrigerator; don't even blink. These guys bring pure entertainment and excitement into the ring. Both have heavy hands and this could be one of the most explosive fights of 2007. After bringing himself to the attention of American boxing fans with three brutal stoppage wins in 2006, the IBF/IBO flyweight world champion is looking for the biggest fights available in 2007 and that's with colorful Mexican Jorge Arce . The 27 year-old is a former WBC interim flyweight and WBC junior flyweight world champion, who is now campaigning at junior bantamweight. If this fight is made, it has the potential to be another Garza-Meza. Too close to call, but I am leaning toward the Armenian in a brawl for the ages. My kind of fight all the way. The one intangible is that the tragic Burgos fight may have depleted Vic's spirit, but only time will tell.
Nikolai Valuev vs. Wlad Klitchko[b][/b] Let's finally get the giant tested. If he survives Dr.Steel Hammer, he deserves all the props he can get, but Wlad has the size to stand up to Valuev and the power to hammer him....let's see if Valuev has the strength and stamina to hold him off. A fascinating match up...both for its oddity as well as for its import. While stamina could be a factor, I see Wlad exposing the affable giant and protecting the Rock's mark of 49-0. I see him wearing down the Giant for a mid to late-round stoppage, or possibly a UD, but not without a meaningful degree of trouble. KLlitchko, is no Larry Donald or Monte Barrett, particularly this Klitchko.
Of course, Mayweather Jr vs. Oscar De La Hoya is set so I know I will be paying to watch that one in one of the bigeest fights since Tyson-Lewis. However, styles make fights and this one might not be as exciting as the others mentioned in this article. In fact it may well be a snoozer.
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Originally Posted by Olympian904
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