Quote Originally Posted by ICE COLD BOXING
We can only dream.

Anyway, here is a list of 10 fights that should be made within the next year if boxing is to retain its credibility with its fans.


1. Floyd Mayweather vs Shane Mosley

Shane Mosley is the only fighter that most people believe has a real chance of beating Floyd Mayweather. The Californian native is faster, stronger, and hits harder that the pound-for-pound king, and has the conditioning to go 12 hard rounds at full pace (a problem most Mayweather opponents seem to have against him). This is probably the biggest fight in boxing and every effort should be made to make it.

2. Joe Calzaghe vs Mikkel Kessler

There has been much talk of Calzaghe facing Jermain Taylor, but the biggest fight at 168lbs is against the Danish star Mikkel Kessler. Calzaghe is the best fighter in the division, but Kessler is right behind him with some impressive victories of recent. Kessler likes to fight on the outside, and Calzaghe fights best on the inside, so it would be an interesting clash of styles and a huge draw.

3. David Haye vs Jean Marc Mormeck

Any fight with David Haye is an exciting one, and against the recognised no. 1 cruiserweight in the world, the Londoner’s talents will really be pushed to the limit. The Frenchman is good champion, but one with chinks in his armour. Haye is as dangerous they come in the fight business, and would probably be favourite to upset the WBA and WBC champion. It would be an explosive and close fight while it lasted, and certainly one for the fans.

4. Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez

Despite Golden Boy’s assertion that everyone wants to see Barrera vs Pacquiao 2, the best fight in the super featherweight division is the rematch between Pacquiao vs Marquez. Many believe the Mexican southpaw deserved the decision against the Pac-Man the first time around, and given Marquez’ convincing victory over Barrera, it is the best fight for the division. It would also be a fight where Pacquaio would not necessarily start as the favourite.


5. Miguel Cotto vs Floyd Mayweather

Cotto is another fighter with a good chance of besting Floyd Mayweather. He may not be as fast or slick as Mosley, but Cotto brings an intensity and physical presence that Mayweather would have some serious problems with. Cotto has knocked out Zab Judah and DeMarcus Corley, two fighters Mayweather could not put away, and has one of the better styles to make Mayweather fight. Cotto comes forward all night long, and given his size and enormous strength, Mayweather would have a very hard time keeping him off.


6. Shane Mosley vs Miguel Cotto

This would no doubt be one of the most entertaining fights out there. Shane and Miguel both come forward, are completely unafraid to mix it up, and will never, ever quit. They are probably equal in strength and power, and have similar depth to their game. Mosley is no doubt faster, but Miguel’s serious body punching arsenal and desire would even the odds. It is unlikely to be made given Top Rank and Golden Boy’s feud, but it would be a major PPV event worth negotiating over.

7. Chad Dawson vs Antonio Tarver

Presuming Bernard Hopkins gets past Winky Wright, he will need a serious challenger to his reign as the Light Heavyweight King. The two best 175lbers in the division other than Hopkins are Antonio Tarver and Chad Dawson, and a fight between those two would set up an interesting bout with the ‘Executioner’. Tarver fared badly in his first fight with Hopkins, with weight loss probably playing a sizable part of it. He could do better in a rematch, or Dawson, who many believe is a star in waiting, would also provide a tough challenge for the ageless champion.


8. Antonio Margarito/Paul Williams vs Miguel Cotto/Shane Mosley

Paul Williams may be the next real super star at 147lbs. The lanky southpaw is an extraordinary specimen, with quick hands and a devastating punch. If he gets past the teak-tough Margarito (and there is a good chance he wont), a match up with Miguel Cotto or Shane Mosley would be another explosive fight for the welterweight division. Alternatively, Margarito would make another fantastic opponent for either man, with all involved having similar toughness, power and desire.

9. Kelly Pavlik vs Jermain Taylor

With Taylor’s disastrous showing against Cory Spinks, fewer and fewer people want to see the middleweight ‘King’ in big fights. However, Kelly Pavlik is an exciting, hard-hitting middleweight that may just mesh well with Taylor’s lumbering style. With a relatively thin division, it’s the best fight out there and one that should absolutely be made.

10. Wladimir Klitschko vs Sultan Ibragimov

Unfortunately, no one really cares who fights in the heavyweight division, but this match up might be a decent one. Klitskcho is the best heavyweight by a stretch, and Ibragimov is the best of the rest. Although Ibragimov did not look amazing against Shannon Briggs, his hand speed and footwork were better than most in the division, and would provide at least a test for the Ukranian. Klitschko squares off against Lamon Brewster next month, and should he win, a fight with Ibragimov would make the most sense if he wants to unify the titles with a credible challenger.
June 15th 2007.



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No arguments here on the matchmaking! Would love to see all of these fights happen.