We bring you five fights featuring British boxers that we’d like to see made in the next year – including a Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao super-fight.
n some cases, these fights may not be made because of enmity between promoters or because the fighters have other obligations.
However, if we were the czars of boxing, we’d get these bouts signed and sealed as soon as possible.
1. Ricky Hatton v Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao is the clear pound-for-pound champion at the moment after his destruction of Oscar De La Hoya, and a bout with Hatton – probably at 140lbs for Hatton’s belt – would be a huge draw all over the world. Both parties are open to the deal and the fight is rumoured to be set for May 2 in Las Vegas, neutral territory roughly halfway between Hatton’s fan-base in the UK and Pacquiao’s native Philippines. Regardless of a result, the two aggressive, front-foot boxers are sure to put on a fine show.
2. Joe Calzaghe v Chad Dawson
Calzaghe, of course, is deciding whether to retire or fight on following his victory over Roy Jones Jr, with the Welshman set to announce his decision in the new year. The fact that he has already been back in the gym is a good sign, although there are few meaningful fights left for him should he decide to try to get his 46-0 unbeaten record closer to that of Rocky Marciano’s 49-0. No lesser judge than Floyd Mayweather Jr has been on record as stating that ‘Bad’ Chad is now the best pound-for-pound fighter in the sport today after his thoroughly comprehensive win over Antonio Tarver recently, and 6’3″ southpaw Dawson has claimed he is willing to fight Calzaghe in Wales. But with much, much more to lose than to gain, the chances of Calzaghe accepting the challenge seem slim.
3. Carl Froch v Mikkel Kessler
Kessler has been feasting on third-rate opposition since his loss to Calzaghe, but Nottingham’s Froch would be a return to world-class standard for the German. Froch went to war with Canada’s Jean Pascal on December 6 and claimed the decision and a vacant belt in a sensational fight; a fight with the combative Kessler would be a similar contest. First, though, Froch could face an extremely tough fight against American Jermain Taylor, a former undisputed middleweight champion with two victories over Bernard Hopkins to his name.
4. Enzo Maccarinelli v Tomasz Adamek
Although Enzo seems to be considering following Haye in making the move from cruiserweight to heavyweight, the Welshman may be better served staying in his own division. If he did Adamek, a former light heavyweight titleholder, would be the man to beat. The Pole won a split decision in December in a sensational action fight against Steve Cunningham to earn recognition as the real cruiserweight world champion – a bout with a renewed Maccarinelli would be another guaranteed tear-up.
5. Frankie Gavin v Amir Khan
Olympic let-down Gavin is planning on campaigning at welterweight in the pro ranks following his failure to make the lightweight limit in Beijing, and is sure to be a man to look out for in 2009. Khan – like Gavin, looking to move up to 140lbs from lightweight – is looking to step up in class after his knockout of Oisin Fagan this month and following his move to Freddie Roach’s gym; this fight would suit both men – who are former amateur sparring partners – and be a considerable draw in the UK. Alex Sharratt / Eurosport
