Fans of MMA and UFC say boxing is DOA. But it isn’t, of course. Although it’s been a bit slow lately, this has been a good year for the sport. And 2007 figures to finish strong, with several meaningful fights on the agenda.
And the beauty of it all? Many of them are not pay-per-view:
Jermain Taylor vs. Kelly Pavlik
When: Sept. 29
Where: Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, N.J.
TV: HBO
At stake: Taylor’s WBC and WBO middleweight titles
Breakdown: Despite two victories over Bernard Hopkins, despite a draw against another tough customer in Winky Wright, Taylor still has a lot to prove in the eyes of many. Some even suggest he has regressed in recent bouts under Emanuel Steward. If ever Taylor has an opportunity to shine, this is it. Pavlik shouldn’t be hard to figure out. He comes to fight. The question is, does he have enough to beat an athletic fighter like Taylor?
Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera
When: Oct. 6
Where: Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas
TV: HBO Pay-Per-View
At stake: Vacant WBC International super featherweight title
Breakdown: This is the long-awaited rematch of the November 2003 bout in San Antonio, won by Pacquiao in dominating fashion. Barrera is coming off a hard-fought loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, but the whispers that surfaced about a shot fighter following the loss to Pacquiao the first time have disappeared. It should be a terrific fight.
Juan Diaz vs. Julio Diaz
When: Oct. 13
Where: Sears Centre, Chicago
TV: HBO
At stake: Juan Diaz’s WBA, WBO lightweight titles; Julio Diaz’s IBF title
Breakdown: Houston’s Juan Diaz became the second-youngest boxer in history to become a world champion in 2004 when he beat Lakva Sim at the Reliant Center. This will be his seventh title defense and toughest test to date. The winner likely will meet another Diaz, David, who holds the other lightweight belt.
Miguel Cotto vs. Shane Mosley
When: Nov. 10
Where: Madison Square Garden
TV: HBO Pay-Per-View
At stake: Cotto’s WBA welterweight crown
Breakdown: Might be the most intriguing fight of the fall. At 26, Cotto is the young gun hoping to send the old warrior, 36-year-old Mosley, into retirement. Cotto has youth and power on his side. Mosley has the speed. A Cotto victory could earn a matchup with Floyd Mayweather Jr. or Oscar De La Hoya. If Mosley wins, look for him to fight Mayweather.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Ricky Hatton
When: Dec. 8
Where: MGM Grand, Las Vegas
TV: HBO Pay-Per-View
At stake: Mayweather’s WBC welterweight belt
Breakdown: This one figures to draw a lot of attention, based on the names alone. But unless Hatton is able to do what neither De La Hoya nor anyone else has done ? make Mayweather fight ? look for this one to be one-sided from the opening bell.
Other big fights
* WBO heavyweight champ Sultan Ibragimov vs. Evander Holyfield, Oct. 13, Moscow, PPV
* WBC super featherweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Rocky Juarez, Nov. 3, Las Vegas, SHO
* Middleweight unification, Joe Calzaghe vs. Mikkel Kessler, Nov. 3, Wales, HBO
