The Autumn Season Approaches – What can weExpect?

Traditionally the boxing season kicks in again when September approaches. Big bouts are made as well as new stars so what can we expect in the coming months? In the heavyweight division it seems that finally WBC king Vitali Klitschko is back and ready to defend against Hasim Rahman on November 12 in Las Vegas. What can we expect from this bout? Will Hasim shock everyone? Nothing yet has been officially announced for the other champions although Chris Byrd must surely be scheduled to defend soon. Also, now is certainly the time for the young guns to try and make their mark. In a division so wide open what a chance for some of the contenders to stake their claim. One such bout will take place on September 24 when Samuel Peter and Wladimir Klitschko put it on the line. The dark horse in the division could very well be Lamon Brewster the WBO champion. On what would have been Max Schmeling’s 100th birthday, he defends against Luan Krasniqi in Hamburg. And with James Toney returning too in October, the division could very well be springing back to life. Dare I say 2006 might be Audley Harrison’s defining year too?

What of the other divisions? There is also plenty to look forward to there. For the third time on October 1 Antonio Tarver and Roy Jones Jnr lock horns. Tarver will very likely be an overwhelming favourite but I feel Jones still has something to offer. Would he have signed for the fight if he thought otherwise? Being a multi- millionaire, pride is the one thing on the line here.

There is also unfinished business on December 3 when Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins go head-to-head yet again. After winning the title in July on a close decision, “Bad Intentions” attempts to prove he can do it again. Expect another close one here.

Arguably the fight of the year took place in May in the lightweight division when warriors Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo battled it out. On October 8 they do it again for lightweight honours and with Erik Morales debuting at 135-pounds next month, exciting times lie ahead.

So what of Morales’ old foes Marco Antonio Barrera and Manny Pacquiao? Both have fights lined up in the next month. On September 10 on the same bill as Morales’ debut at lightweight, Pacquiao returns in a junior lightweight bout. Could a rematch with Morales be on the cards? Being on the same bill one tends to think that’s the plan. On September 17, Morales’ old enemy Marco Antonio Barrera attempts to unify part of the 130-pound division against Robbie Peden. Barrera, who is currently enjoying once again some of his best form, will be a big favourite.

British Boxing’s biggest buzz occurred on June 4 at the Manchester Evening News Arena when Ricky Hatton dethroned the great Australian Kostya Tszyu in eleven brutal rounds. Not surprisingly, the Hitman has taken a couple of months off to recover and enjoy such a great victory. I think though he will want to make another appearance before the years out hopefully in a marking time fight. With fights against Castillo, Mayweather and even our own Junior Witter being mooted for 2006, Hatton can expect a big year.

Staying with British boxing WBO supermiddleweight king returns to Cardiff on September 10 to defend against Evans Ashira. Not much is known in Britain about his challenger but Joe will want to look impressive before the bout everyone hopes to see. November 5 has been set aside as the date for the big unification match-up between Jeff Lacy and Joe Calzaghe. After the way Lacy despatched our own Robin Reid earlier this month, this is one mouthwatering clash. Hopefully, Joe will come through his defense in September and be 100% ready for the bout we all want to see him in.

I think the coming months are going to be exciting ones. There are unifications matches, unfinished business and fighters trying to make waves in brand new divisions.

I for one cannot wait.