Five Intriguing fights that could be made in 2007

[tedsares]

By Ted Sares


5) Bernard Hopkins vs. Oleg Maskiev in the kind of fight Hopkins wants for his legacy; namely, one that everyone says he can't win. But he will win. Unless Oleg fights Klitchko (in which case he will be dispatched summarily), he would be the perfect foil for a heavier and smarter BHOP in what will be one of the most boring fights in recent history. Still, because of what it represents, it would be an highly intriguing one and makes my list, albeit last.

4) Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler: Let's get it on. This is the one Europe wants; its own mega-fight. A bona fide unification. Hey forget Manfredo.This fight would define J.C.'s career and give Kessler the chance at making history as well. Both are unbeaten, both are double world champions, and the victor takes it all. This IS the fight for serious boxing fight fans.....whether in the US or abroad. It has to be made. Let's see if Kessler peaks and catches Joe at just the right time, or if Joe rises to the occasion and turns in another Lacey-like performance. If Joe beats Manfredo (which he should) and does not make this fight, his legacy will begin to get tarnished. Time to put up or shut up.Pick em.
.
3) Alan "Sweetness" Green, 23-0, vs. Kelly "Ghost" Pavlick, 29-0. Back in the day, guys like this would fight each other to take the next step up. Time for these two guys to do the same. An American box-off with the winner facing the winner of number four above. What's not to like? Both are heavy handed but Green's defense remains somewhat pourous while Kelly continues to improve.


2) Joan Guzman vs. Juan Manuel Marquez for the right to meet Manny Pacquiao. The slickster/puncher vs. the technique puncher. Mexico vs. the Dominican Republic. Guzman is on the rise; Juan may have peaked....Manny watches (after his destruction of Barrera).

1) Jorge Arce vs. Vic Darchinyan: A mini-Raging Bull throwing punishing lead rights vs. an incoming brawler throwing menacing Mexican type-hooks. Don't go to the refrigerator; don't blink.These two 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. It has the potential to be another Garza-Meza. Too close to call, but I am leaning toward the Armenian in one for the ages.

[Kev]

I'd love to see all those fights. Of the guys you mentioned I am still yet to see Kelly Pavlick fight, don't even know what he looks like!

I need to track down some of his fights over christmas because a lot of people are talking about him right now.

Cotto vs Margarito would be one hell of a fight to add the list, as would Klitschko vs Valuev, which as a pure spectacle of freaky tallness would probably never be matched!

Lets hope Valero gets some decent action next year as well, he fights next week and then hopefully they can look at bigger fights.

I'd love to see Pacquiao rematch either Barrera or Marquez, plus fights with Valero and Guzman, some potential mega fights for the pacman out there.

And I really want to see Carl Froch get his chance on the world stage.

Oh and Bernard Dunne vs Steve Molitor in Dublin would have hands down the most intense atmosphere for any fight in 2007. Anyone who saw Dunne take apart Pickering and Molitor destroy Hunter has to be licking their lips in anticipation of that event!


Oh and Miranda vs Abraham rematch or Taylor against either one of them.

Damn there's so many good potential fights out there! :P

[ethanpiazza]

i dont get why Hopkins wants Maskeav. if he reqally wants to enhance his legacy, why not fight the real HW champ, instead of just a alphabet title-holder?

[HMSARES]

gOOD LIST!

[killersheep]

Good list, I think Hatton vs. Castillo at 140 should be on the list (pending Castillo makes weight, which right now it looks like he may have a problem with). Taylor vs. Wright 2 should happen as well as Hatton vs. Collazo 2, but they prolly won't. Personally I'd like to see Darchinyan vs. Wonjongkam as well.
Any alphabet holders at HW fighting each other would be nice. Tarver vs. Clinton Woods could be entertaining as well.

[CityOfGod]

By Ted Sares


4) Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler: Let's get it on. This is the one Europe wants; its own mega-fight. A bona fide unification. Hey forget Manfredo.This fight would define J.C.'s career and give Kessler the chance at making history as well. Both are unbeaten, both are double world champions, and the victor takes it all. This IS the fight for serious boxing fight fans.....whether in the US or abroad. It has to be made. Let's see if Kessler peaks and catches Joe at just the right time, or if Joe rises to the occasion and turns in another Lacey-like performance. If Joe beats Manfredo (which he should) and does not make this fight, his legacy will begin to get tarnished. Time to put up or shut up.Pick em.
.

I tip FROCH to finally get in the ring with Kessler (after beating Bute in the eliminator).

Once Kessler has been KO'd by Froch, he should tell calzaghe that he's a pusssy, that it took another englishman to beat KEssler and that even if joe has finally grown some guts, his chance at me (Froch) has gone now.

[diamonddavestafford]

i dont get why Hopkins wants Maskeav. if he reqally wants to enhance his legacy, why not fight the real HW champ, instead of just a alphabet title-holder?

cuz he's smart. IMO the only one who isnt and alphabet title holder is Klitschko and he aint all that either; just the best one out. Hopkins would be crazy to fight him, though. Just too much of a size advantage for WK. he's goin after Maskeav cuz he knows that he can take him. At Bernard's age you gotta think smart. You gotta walk down the hill and fuck them all instead of running down and fucking one. Maskeav is about the same height as Hopkins (6'2?) if i'm not mistaken, and would get his ass boxed silly by the former lightheavyweight and longtime middleweight champ. doesnt matter if he beats a bum for the title, just the fact that he can add a heavyweight title to his mantle is a huge accomplishment, and like it or not, a legacy-enhancing acheivement that he could even move up in weight to accomplish what only a few other people in history ever have. I didn't take anything away from Roy Jones when he moved up and schooled John Ruiz for the belt, I sure as hell wouldnt take it from The Executioner if and when he schools Maskeav for his belt. And remember Maskaev did KO Rahman twice, who KOed Lennox Lewis. Like it or not, Rahman is a tough SOB.

[El Kabong]

5. Miguel Cotto-Kermit Cintron

4. Jermain Taylor-Arthur Abraham

3. Ricky Hatton-Diego Corrales

2. Paul Williams-Antonio Margarito

1. Wladimir Klitschko-Nicolay Valuev.....goodbye perfect record!!!

[dumdane]

I tip FROCH to finally get in the ring with Kessler (after beating Bute in the eliminator).

Once Kessler has been KO'd by Froch, he should tell calzaghe that he's a pusssy, that it took another englishman to beat KEssler and that even if joe has finally grown some guts, his chance at me (Froch) has gone now.

I tip Froch to be not only exposed, but even severely humiliated by Bute.

Bute-Kessler when/if it happens will be a very competitive fight. Bute could very well pull an upset (and i'd be REALLY upset).
Froch's chances of upsetting Kessler are minimal.

[CityOfGod]

I tip FROCH to finally get in the ring with Kessler (after beating Bute in the eliminator).

Once Kessler has been KO'd by Froch, he should tell calzaghe that he's a pusssy, that it took another englishman to beat KEssler and that even if joe has finally grown some guts, his chance at me (Froch) has gone now.

I tip Froch to be not only exposed, but even severely humiliated by Bute.

Bute-Kessler when/if it happens will be a very competitive fight. Bute could very well pull an upset (and i'd be REALLY upset).
Froch's chances of upsetting Kessler are minimal.

Hey i like kessler too and appreciate your a fan.

Froch is far far sneakier & world-level experienced than Bute.

Bute is a busy come-forward, straight fighter - but doesn't stop fighters with one shot often (RSF's mainly).

Froch would counter him, come at him, fight from angles, fight from the back foot, from the inside up = Bute wouldn't have answer from round 4 onwards until he was stopped late on.

Froch = KO power & chin + very very awkward style.

[ono]

I don't like him much but Froch will be a world champ this time next year.

[yoitsdan]

i dont get why Hopkins wants Maskeav. if he reqally wants to enhance his legacy, why not fight the real HW champ, instead of just a alphabet title-holder?

Maskaev isn't very tall. I think Hopkins is only an inch or so shorter.

[Memphis]

forget Manfredo.This fight would define J.C.'s career

Ever fight defines a career. Joe's is being defined as mediocre

[ICB]

I tip FROCH to finally get in the ring with Kessler (after beating Bute in the eliminator).

Once Kessler has been KO'd by Froch, he should tell calzaghe that he's a pusssy, that it took another englishman to beat KEssler and that even if joe has finally grown some guts, his chance at me (Froch) has gone now.

I tip Froch to be not only exposed, but even severely humiliated by Bute.

Bute-Kessler when/if it happens will be a very competitive fight. Bute could very well pull an upset (and i'd be REALLY upset).
Froch's chances of upsetting Kessler are minimal.

Hey i like kessler too and appreciate your a fan.

Froch is far far sneakier & world-level experienced than Bute.

Bute is a busy come-forward, straight fighter - but doesn't stop fighters with one shot often (RSF's mainly).

Froch would counter him, come at him, fight from angles, fight from the back foot, from the inside up = Bute wouldn't have answer from round 4 onwards until he was stopped late on.

Froch = KO power & chin + very very awkward style.

i see froch and his defense is terrible from what i see and someone who throws alot of punches aka calzaghe he would get murdered in my opinion

[Violent Demise]

I don't like him much but Froch will be a world champ this time next year.

Come this time next year, Froch will be seating in some bar (or pub, whatever y'all want to call it) next to Ryan Rhodes discussing who was was more overrated.