Who will be at the top of their weightclasses late 09?

[Tam Seddon]

With it being late 08 now, I think it will be a good time to have a prediciton of who we think will be top of their respected weightclasses in a years time. Ill start with Heavyweights and work my way down.

Heavyweight: Vitali Klitschko - I think he will beat Haye and beat Gomez.

Cruiserweight: Tomasz Adamek - I think we still have a lot to see from him !! I wouldnt mind a rematch with Cunningham in 09

Lightheavyweight: Joe Calzaghe or Chad Dawson - If JC retires I have full faith we will see a new star in Dawson, its bullshit that hes fighting Tarver again but I think a match up with Hopkins or Johnson again will be very interesting.

Supermiddleweight: Mikkel Kessler or Carl Froch - This weight class is so wide open with so much talent in it. I did a post about it once about the talent booming from it, I believe 09 is going to be outstanding!

Middleweight: Arthur Abraham - One of the most underrated champions IMO, hes an awesome fighter and I believe he would beat Kelly Pavlik. If he moves up to 168 I wouldnt be surprised him beating Froch or Kessler.

Lightmiddleweight: Paul Williams - The 154 weight class will have some very interesting match ups in 09. But I really can see Paul Willams being far too much for anybody at the weight with his punchrate and speed. He will have some very tough battles, but I think Paul Williams is one of the best champions around.

Welterweight: Antonio Margartio - Im confident that Margarito can clean up 147, he has two very tough fights with Cotto and Mosley but I think hes too much for them. I wouldnt mind seeing Margarito moving up to 154 if he gets through these fights.

Lightwelterweight: Ricky Hatton - He has the second hardest fight of his career ahead of him but im confident he can beat Manny. 140 will become very interesting in 09 with so many promising fighters just one weight class below, I would be interested to see if they are tempted to move up.

Lightweight: Joan Guzman or Juan Manuel Marquez - If Guzman can make the weight im confident with his speed he would beat any fighter at 135. Technically if he fought Marquez I believe we would see a fight that could go either way, I want to see it badly! I dont think Campbell would be too interested fighting him after all of this BS that happened between them, but the match up would still be good to watch.

Superfeatherweight: Jorge Linares - After an injury packed 08 I think he will be back in 09 and show the boxing world what he is made of. Hes awesome talent and im looking foward to seeing the best from him.

Featherweight: tough call - I would like to say Chris John but he just doesnt want to leave his backyard, hes a really good fighter and hes just wasting away fighting shit fighters. Luevano is still up there but he needs to look for some big names and not just title defence fighters. There is a lot of talent in the weight class below and I wouldnt be surprised to see them move up. Gamboa is a very talented fighter, but from what I have seen maybe hes been rushed too much?

Superbantamweight: too hard to say - The top 4 fighters in the weight class are all p4p top 10 worthy IMO. Im interested to see how Vazquez and Marquez are after their wars. I have been very imperessed with Lopez and Caballero. Lopez needs a fight to go past the first round to fully judge his talent, from what I have seen he is so good. But I dont think he will beat any of the other 3 so fast. It will be a very interesting year for them and i look forward to watching this weightclass this year. De leon, Gonzalez and Molitor can still top it too.

Bantamweight: I havent really followed this weight class!

Superflyweight: Vic Darchinyan - After his loss to Donaire I think hes really worked hard to improve some of his flaws. His win against Mijares was outstanding and I cant wait for him to beat up Arce. I wouldnt mind him to fight Donaire.

Flyweight: I havent really followed this weight class!

Lightflyweight: I havent really followed this weight class!

Minimumweight: I havent really followed this weight class!






Im interested to see who you think will be top.

[El Kabong]

Heavy: Wladimir...he has 3 belts (2 good ones and one extra the IBO) and no threatening matches to speak of in the future

Cruiser: Adamek

Light Heavy: Tavoris Cloud, I think he's going to move up quickly

Super Middle: Jermain Taylor, I think this weight suits him very well

Middle: Pavlik

Jr. Middle: Paul Williams

Welter: Margarito

Jr. Welter: Pacquiao, he'll fight and beat Hatton at 140


That's all I have for you right now

[JazMerkin]

Heavyweight: David Haye, I'll admit this is probably my heart ruling my head.

Cruiserweight: Tomasz Adamek

Light-Heavyweight: Chad Dawson, by next year I wouldn't be surprised if he could beat JC.

Super-Middleweight: Mikkel Kessler - In my mind head & shoulders above a very tough division.

Middleweight: Kelly Pavlik - I think he will come back from the Hopkins defeat, and hopefully fight Abraham to decide it in the next year.

Light-Middleweight: Paul Williams - if he stays at this weight.

Welterweight: Antonio Margarito/Paul Williams - will beat Mosley & Cotto. However, if he fights Williams again (which he probably won't as I think PW will stay at 154) then I think he will lose.

Light-Welterweight: Manny Pacquiao - Let's face it everyone knows this is between two guys, but I think Manny's speed will be just a bit too much for Ricky.

Lightweight: Juan Manuel Marquez
Super-Featherweight: Edwin Valero - If he gets the fights he will destroy everyone.

Featherweight: Yuriorkis Gamboa - Like you say a very tough division, I'm going with Gamboa purely on how much I enjoy watching him, and the fact I think he will take riskier fights than Luevano or John.

Super-Bantamweight: Juan Manuel Lopez - Think he will take over this year. I think Marquez & Vasquez have been in the wars too much with each other & will have lost something.

Bantamweight: Abner Mares - Between him & Penalosa here.

Super-Flyweight: Vic Darchinyan

Flyweight: Nonito Donaire - If he stays at this weight obviously.

Junior-Flyweight: Ivan Calderon

Minimumweight: Have to admit don't know enough about anyone at this weight.

[ICB]

Heavyweight = Vitali Klitschko/David Haye
Cruiserweight = Tomasz Adamek
Light Heavyweight = Chad Dawson
Super Middleweight = Jermain Taylor
Middleweight = Arthur Abraham
Jr Middleweight = Paul Williams
Welterweight = Antonio Margarito
Jr Welterweight = Manny Pacquiao/Ricky Hatton
Lightweight = Juan Manuel Marquez
Super Featherweight = Jorge Linares
Featherweight = Chris John
Super Bantamweight = Juan Manuel Lopez
Bantamweight = Abner Mares
Super Flyweight = Vic Darchinyan
Flyweight = Nonito Donaire if he stays there
Jr Flyweight = Ivan Calderon
Minimumweight = Roman Gonzalez

[The Fightfan]

Heavyweight = Wlad or Vitali
Cruiser = I think Cunnigham will win if a rematch occurs, if not Adamek
Lightheavy = Tarver.......just kidding Dawson
SuperMiddle = Kessler
Middle = Kelly
Juniormiddle = Williams
Welter = Mosley I believe he will stop Maragrito's future plans of a great year
junior welter = Pacquiao
Lightweight = JMM
Don't care too much about the lower classes anymore as Marquez,Morales,Barrera,and Pacquiao are longer around.

[HattonTheHammer]

Heavyweight = Wlad or Vitali
Cruiser = I think Cunnigham will win if a rematch occurs, if not Adamek
Lightheavy = Tarver.......just kidding Dawson
SuperMiddle = Kessler
Middle = Kelly
Juniormiddle = Williams
Welter = Mosley I believe he will stop Maragrito's future plans of a great year
junior welter = Pacquiao
Lightweight = JMM
Don't care too much about the lower classes anymore as Marquez,Morales,Barrera,and Pacquiao are longer around.

how the hell would cunningham beat Adamek


Heavyweight - Vitali Klitschko
Cruserweight - Tomasz Adamek
Light Heavyweight - Chad Dawson (pending JC`s retirement)
Super Middleweight - Mikkel Kessler
Middleweight - Arthur Abraham
Light Middleweight - Sergei Dzindrizuk
Welterweight - Miguel Cotto (marg is going down on points to sugar and pac will get a hiding from ricky)
Light welterweight - Ricky Hatton
Lightweight - Juan Manuel Marquez
Super Featherweight - Jorge Linares



dont really pay much attention to anything lower (other than izzy of course)

[Rantcatrat]

Heavyweight: Klitschko's. One of them easily will take the belt off Valuev. Haye chose the wrong one to fight.
Cruiserweight: Adamek, but difficult decision.
Light-heavyweight: Calzaghe retires. Dawson begins reign. I also like Diaconu who should face Glenn Johnson by the end of the year in what is sure to be a slugfest.
Supermiddleweight - Kessler.
Middleweight - Pavlik, but I am curious to see how he performs in February against #8 Rubio.
Jr. Middleweight - Paul Williams.
Welterweight - Margarito
Jr. Welterweight - Pacman, but he may not fight the other big names besides Hatton - so, Tim Bradley too.
Lightweight - Nate Campbell
Jr. Lightweight-Not sure.
Featherweight - Chris John, not that he'll leave Indonesia.
Jr. Featherweight - Juanma.
Bantamweight - not sure
Jr. Bantamweight - Vic.

[killersheep]

Heavyweight = Wlad Klitschko
Cruiserweight = Tomasz Adamek
Light Heavyweight = Chad Dawson
Super Middleweight = Mikkel Kessler
Middleweight = Paul Williams
Jr Middleweight = Sergio Martinez
Welterweight = Antonio Margarito
Jr Welterweight = Ricky Hatton
Lightweight = Juan Manuel Marquez
Super Featherweight = Robert Guerero
Featherweight = Chris John
Super Bantamweight = Juan Manuel Lopez
Bantamweight = Hozumi Hasegawa
Super Flyweight = Fernando Montiel
Flyweight = Nonito Donaire
Jr Flyweight = Ulises Solis
Minimumweight = Roman Gonzalez

[ClubberLang]

Middleweight = Paul Williams

Interesting choice. The word from Dan Rafael is that he and Winky will fight at 160 in April, which I think he will win in a wide points decision given Wright's long layoff and age. I take it you see him fighting and beating Pavlik in '09?

[:::PSL:::]

Heavyweight = Vitali Klitschko/David Haye
Cruiserweight = Tomasz Adamek
Light Heavyweight = Chad Dawson
Super Middleweight = Jermain Taylor
Middleweight = Arthur Abraham
Jr Middleweight = Paul Williams
Welterweight = Antonio Margarito
Jr Welterweight = Manny Pacquiao/Ricky Hatton
Lightweight = Juan Manuel Marquez
Super Featherweight = Jorge Linares
Featherweight = Chris John
Super Bantamweight = Juan Manuel Lopez
Bantamweight = Abner Mares
Super Flyweight = Vic Darchinyan
Flyweight = Nonito Donaire if he stays there
Jr Flyweight = Ivan Calderon
Minimumweight = Roman Gonzalez

I agree 90% with your picks.

But I think Yuriokis Gamboa will get a title shot by late 09 and will win it.

And there's so much going on right now in Jr Fly and Superfly. I think Donaire-Montiel is a done deal for March. And the winner of that fight will unify against Darchinyan or Arce. I can feel it right now that it will be a HUGE HUGE HUGE 2009 for Nonito!

[albsur2006]

I was bored so...

Heavyweight = Wladimir Klitschko. David Haye controversially outpoints Vitali in an ugly clinchfest. Wlad says that he will not fight Haye until Vitali gets a rematch. Haye obliges. Vitali knocks out Haye in the eighth round of the rematch. A rubber match is scheduled for 2010. Meanwhile, Wlad racks up three decent wins against Valuev, Povetkin, and Arreola. The heavyweight division is still devoid of any excitement and allure except for one unlikely fight, Evander Holyfield knocks out Riddick Bowe in the ninth round. The most exciting heavyweight fight in years.

Cruiserweight = Steve Cunningham. Adamek destroys BJ Flores. Cunningham beats a good name opponent at crusierweight. The rematch is set for the summer. Cunningham outpoints Adamek in another FOY candidate. The rubber match is being talked about for 2010. Bernard Hopkins is STILL fighting after his loss and talking about moving up to cruiserweight to fight Cunningham for the Ring crusierweight title before he retires for good.

Light Heavyweight = Chad Dawson. Joe Calzaghe retires from the sport bitter and still underappreciated in his view. Dawson outpoints Tarver again in their rematch. Bernard Hopkins challenges Chad Dawson for the Ring title that was vacated when JoeCal retired. Chad Dawson decisions Bernard Hopkins in a great performance, Bernard Hopkins is finally starting to look like his age. Dawson vaults up most P4P lists and begins calling out JoeCal to come out of retirement. In a sidenote, Roy Jones Jr. decisions Glen Johnson in a rematch.

Super Middleweight = Mikkel Kessler. Jermain Taylor vs Carl Froch actually does get made and Jermain Taylor surprisingly knocks out undefeated Froch in the seventh round with a massive right hand. Kessler is not interested in fighting Jermain Taylor yet in the summer, he does however fight the undefeated Bute and wins via 11th round TKO. A great card in the fall is made by HBO to build up a Taylor-Kessler Ring title fight that features Kessler vs Anthony Mundine II and JT vs Allan Green. Kessler easily decisions Mundine. Allan Green shocks the world and catches JT with a serious left hook in the fourth round that JT never sees. JT gets up but the ref puts a stop to the fight. A rematch is being scheduled for 2010.

Middleweight = Arthur Abraham. Kelly Pavlik knocks out Rubio in the sixth round. He then knocks out John Duddy in spectacular fashion in the summer. Abraham gets a knockout win over Roman Karmazin. His team does get a fight with Felix Sturm and Abraham knocks out Sturm in the fifth round. A big time unification title fight is set for the winter of 2009. Abraham gets a UD over Pavlik but some thought that Pavlik's workrate should have won him the fight. In other 160 news, Paul Williams decisions Winky Wright in a shockingly great fight.

Jr Middleweight = Paul Williams. After Paul Williams beat Wright, he moves back down to 154. Realizing that Williams is his only good money option, Forrest fights Williams in the summer. Williams knocks out Forrest in the seventh round. Forrest retires from boxing. Williams gets a minor scare when he barely outpoints a very game Cory Spinks in an ugly fight in the fall. James Kirkland is still undefeated after getting a majority decision over Joel Julio in a FOY candidate. Sergio Martinez looks like a million bucks against Daniel Santos and begins calling out Williams for a 2010 unification fight.

Welterweight = Miguel Cotto. Cotto defeats Jennings via eighth round TKO. Margarito gets a serious gift decision over Shane Mosley. Many in the media think that Shane's steroid scandal might have been the reason. Cotto UD12 Margarito in a summer rematch. In the fight, Cotto finds a way to land body shots and slows Tony down. The wars that Tony has been in and age are starting to slow him down. A rubber match is being talked about for 2010. Andre Berto decisions Collazo and then knocks out Zab Judah in the ninth round of their summer match with a highlight reel right hand. Clottey can't find fights after outpointing Cintron until Berto decides to fight him in the fall. Berto UD12 Clottey in a decent match. In other 147 news, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao meet at a catchweight of 144 pounds. Mayweather gets a UD12 over Pacquiao in what turns out to be the FOY. Mayweather and Pacquiao both hit the canvas in the fight. Mayweather takes a knee after a left hand catches him on the temple. Pacquiao goes down twice from left hooks. A rematch is being talked about for 2010. The fight is a huge success and does 1.45 Million PPV buys. Cotto begins calling out Mayweather.

Jr Welterweight = Manny Pacquiao. Manny Pacquiao gets a UD12 over Ricky Hatton in a decent fight. Hatton and Mayweather Sr. get into an argument midway through the fight. Hatton blames Sr. for losing the fight and fires him. Timothy Bradley defeats Kendall Holt via sixth round TKO. Hatton TKO10 Junior Witter in a much long awaited grudgematch. Hatton is now being trained by Freddie Roach. ODLH is talking about returning to fight Hatton at Wembley.

Lightweight = Juan Manuel Marquez. Marquez unable to secure a third fight with Pacquiao this year, stays at 135. He gets a UD in a great match against Juan Diaz. Then Marquez gets a very close SD against Joan Guzman in a fight that most think Guzman won. Marquez will not give Guzman a rematch. Then Marquez defeats Nate Campbell UD 12. JMM is the undisputed kingpin of 135 and is talking about chasing Hatton or Pacquiao for a big fight. Rumors begin that he will fight ODLH in Mexico at welterweight. In other news, Edwin Valero scores impressive knockout victories over Anthony Peterson and Marco Antonio Barrera. Amir Khan logs a couple decent victories over decent guys and then fights Prescott again for a chance at redemption. Khan is knocked out again by Prescott, this time in the eighth round. Khan's career is in shambles.

Super Featherweight = Jorge Linares. Linares stays busy this year and stays healthy. Linares decisions Soto. Juarez and Guerrero fight to a draw in a FOY candidate.

Featherweight = Chris John. Gamboa keeps developing.

Super Bantamweight = Juan Manuel Lopez. Lopez's power is simply too much for the 122 pound weight class. Rafael Marquez establishes himself as a true contender by defeating Caballero but gets knocked out viciously by Juanma in the sixth round of their match. Israel Vasquez sits out the entire year. Juanma is moving up to Super Featherweight apparently for a shot at Jorge Linares.

Bantamweight = Joseph Agbeko

Super Flyweight = Vic Darchinyan. Vic is trying to chase Juanma or Isreal Vasquez for a big money match.

Flyweight = Koki Kameda

Jr Flyweight = Ivan Calderon

Minimumweight = Roman Gonzalez

YEARLY AWARDS
FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Juan Manuel Marquez
FIGHT OF THE YEAR: Floyd Mayweather UD 12 Manny Pacquiao
ROUND OF THE YEAR: James Kirkland vs Joel Julio, Round 5
EVENT OF THE YEAR: "Pound for Pound" - Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao
PROSPECT OF THE YEAR: Demetrius Andrade
ROBBERY OF THE YEAR: Antonio Margarito UD12 Shane Mosley
KNOCKOUT OF THE YEAR: Andre Berto KO9 Zab Judah
WORST FIGHT OF THE YEAR: Paul Williams UD12 Cory Spinks
UPSET OF THE YEAR: Allan Green TKO4 Jermain Taylor
COMEBACK FIGHTER OF THE YEAR: Miguel Cotto

[bzkfn]

Heavyweight = Wlad (Only because I think Vitali beats Haye and will retire this year)
Cruiserweight = Tomasz Adamek or Cunningham. Hard to pick in a rematch.
Light Heavyweight = Chad Dawson
Super Middleweight = Carl Froch
Middleweight = Kelly Pavlik
Jr Middleweight = Paul Williams
Welterweight = Miguel Cotto
Jr Welterweight = Manny Pacquiao
Lightweight = Juan Diaz
Super Featherweight = Jorge Linares
Featherweight = Chris John
Super Bantamweight = Juan Manuel Lopez
Bantamweight = Cristian Mijares (I've heard he'll move up to fight Hosegawa)
Super Flyweight = Nonito Donaire (think he'll beat Montiel and Vic again)
Flyweight = Koki Kameda
Jr Flyweight = Edgar Sosa
Minimumweight = Roman Gonzalez

[levi#1BoxingFan]

Lol its fun to read peoples predictions. hers mine

Heavyweight: dont care, hasnt been good since the 90's.

Cruiserweight: dont really care.

Lightheavyweight: Hopkins calls out Roy Jones but Jones never answers (scared). Antonio Tarver loses another fight and doesnt have another match televised (hopefully). Chad Dawson and Hopkins fight a very close 12 rounds. Hopkins lands a knockdown in the latter part of the fight to help him clench a SD. Calzaghe takes a tuneup fight against a bum to set up Hopkins Calzaghe 2. Hopkins ends the year as champ!

Supermiddleweight: Kessler vs Taylor. Taylor wins by UD, good entertaining fight. Dont care about Froch till he proves himself.

Middleweight: No way Abraham ever beats Pavlik. Abraham gets KO'ed in the 9th round. Abraham didnt even beat Eddison Miranda!

Junior middleweight:Paul williams beats vernon forest UD. Mayorga makes an insane comeback and knocks Williams out, lol!

Welterweight: Margarito edges out mosely, very good fight.. Cotto wins his tune upfight to set up Cotto Margarito 2. Cotto wins by UD Next fight is Cotto vs Berto. Awsome but Cotto wins again. Cotto champ at the end ghtof the year!

Junior Welterweight: Paquiao destroys Ricky Hatton and KO's him in the 10th. Pacquiao's speed eats Hatton alive! Mayweather and Pacquiao find a catch weight from 140 to 147 and Pacquiao wins by UD. Mayweather gets his first loss because hes unable to land as many shots agaisnt Pacquiao than he usually does because of Paquiao's movement! Paquiao p4p king at end of the year!

Everthing below: JMM beats Diaz. All the other Mexican legends are gone dont really care. Do love Arce tho!

[Violent Demise]

Lol its fun to read peoples predictions. hers mine

Heavyweight: dont care, hasnt been good since the 90's.

Cruiserweight: dont really care.

Lightheavyweight: Hopkins calls out Roy Jones but Jones never answers (scared). Antonio Tarver loses another fight and doesnt have another match televised (hopefully). Chad Dawson and Hopkins fight a very close 12 rounds. Hopkins lands a knockdown in the latter part of the fight to help him clench a SD. Calzaghe takes a tuneup fight against a bum to set up Hopkins Calzaghe 2. Hopkins ends the year as champ!

Supermiddleweight: Kessler vs Taylor. Taylor wins by UD, good entertaining fight. Dont care about Froch till he proves himself.

Middleweight: No way Abraham ever beats Pavlik. Abraham gets KO'ed in the 9th round. Abraham didnt even beat Edison Miranda!

He knocked him out in the 4th round dumb ass.

[bzkfn]

Lol its fun to read peoples predictions. hers mine

Heavyweight: dont care, hasnt been good since the 90's.

Cruiserweight: dont really care.

Lightheavyweight: Hopkins calls out Roy Jones but Jones never answers (scared). Antonio Tarver loses another fight and doesnt have another match televised (hopefully). Chad Dawson and Hopkins fight a very close 12 rounds. Hopkins lands a knockdown in the latter part of the fight to help him clench a SD. Calzaghe takes a tuneup fight against a bum to set up Hopkins Calzaghe 2. Hopkins ends the year as champ!

Supermiddleweight: Kessler vs Taylor. Taylor wins by UD, good entertaining fight. Dont care about Froch till he proves himself.

Middleweight: No way Abraham ever beats Pavlik. Abraham gets KO'ed in the 9th round. Abraham didnt even beat Eddison Miranda!

Junior middleweight:Paul williams beats vernon forest UD. Mayorga makes an insane comeback and knocks Williams out, lol!

Welterweight: Margarito edges out mosely, very good fight.. Cotto wins his tune upfight to set up Cotto Margarito 2. Cotto wins by UD Next fight is Cotto vs Berto. Awsome but Cotto wins again. Cotto champ at the end ghtof the year!

Junior Welterweight: Paquiao destroys Ricky Hatton and KO's him in the 10th. Pacquiao's speed eats Hatton alive! Mayweather and Pacquiao find a catch weight from 140 to 147 and Pacquiao wins by UD. Mayweather gets his first loss because hes unable to land as many shots agaisnt Pacquiao than he usually does because of Paquiao's movement! Paquiao p4p king at end of the year!

Everthing below: JMM beats Diaz. All the other Mexican legends are gone dont really care. Do love Arce tho!

These comments are just ridiculous.

1. Hopkins wouldn't call out Jones because he's already said it'd be a pointless fight as Jones looked old against Calzaghe. If he did, I doubt Jones would be scared. Jones loves the spotlight, and would be his last chance for a real payday and way back in.

2. Why would Calzaghe need a tuneup when he's on top of the division right now? He's also said he's only after fights that would get him motivated or retirement.

3. Abraham knocked Miranda out in the 4th.

4. All of your fight suggestions are based on fights being put together easily, when anyone knows the politics of boxing usually get in the way.