As it relates to boxing, 2009 is essentially a wrap. Now, the focus shifts to the new year and all the prominent promoters and networks have begun to set their schedules for the first half of 2010. Here’s a look at what lies ahead on Showtime and HBO (this schedule is subject to change, of course)….
* January 23rd (HBO)- Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Steven Luevano/Rogers Mtagwa vs. Yuriorkis Gamboa: This looks like a classic ’Boxing After Dark’ telecast from the WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden, with smaller weight, world-class fighters, in competitive bouts. Lopez, after his life-and-death experience moves up to face WBO featherweight king, Luevano. And Mtagwa, who took Lopez to the brink, takes on the talented Gamboa. Mtagwa, to me, is the real life Rocky Balboa, a tough brawler from Philly who won’t give an inch.
* January 30th (HBO)- Shane Mosley vs. Andre Berto: This welterweight unification takes place at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Now, I was wondering based on recent events, will Berto’s representatives ask if Mosley can undergo ’Olympic-style’ drug testing based on his sordid history? After all, everyone involved wants to clean up this sport, right? But seriously, how will the long layoff effect Mosley and can Berto’s chin withstand ’Sugar’s’ punching prowess?
* February 6th (Showtime): Edwin Valero vs. Antonio DeMarco: Valero defends his WBC lightweight title against the much-improved DeMarco. Expect a slugfest in Mexico( where several venues are being discussed). There is a chance that the fight between Ali Funeka and Rolando Reyes for the vacant IBF lightweight title could be added to this telecast.
* March 6th (Showtime): Arthur Abraham vs. Andre Dirrell: ’the Super Six’ continues from the Agua Caliente Casino in Rancho Mirage, California. Biggest question here is just how willing is Dirrell to stand and deliver, in between all his movement? Abraham likes to go into a defensive shell with his hands held high, almost like a turtle. This bout could be like the tortoise and the hare. There is a good chance that Vic Darchinyan could lead-off the broadcast.
* March 13th (HBO PPV):??????- At this point, your guess is as good as mine. We might end up with Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather or a doubleheader of Pacquiao-Yuri Foreman and Mayweather-Matthew Hatton. Or maybe Bobby Pacquiao against Jeff Mayweather. But either way, the public is getting aggravated and a bit sick of all the rhetoric. This truly is March madness.
* April 17th (Showtime)- Andre Ward-Jermain Taylor/Carl Froch-Mikkel Kessler: Ward looks to be a heavy favorite over Taylor, who surprised many observers by fighting on. Froch-Kessler in many respects is a fight for survival for Kessler who lost in lopsided fashion to Ward back in November. His future in ’the Super Six’ is at stake.
* April 17th( HBO)- Lucian Bute vs. TBA: Word is that the IBF super middleweight title holder will be showcased on this date by HBO. Options include Bernard Hopkins and the winner between WBO titlist Robert Steiglitz and Edison Miranda who fight in early January. Now, let’s say this come to fruition, you don’t think HBO counter-programmed Showtime and their ’Super Six’ on purpose do you? Nah….
* April 24th (HBO)- Chris Arreola vs. Tomasz Adamek: Let’s make this clear, this fight is not signed, sealed and delivered, but being discussed. But let’s hope it is, because this is a fun heavyweight fight. I’m told that this could take place at the Citizen Business Bank Arena in Ontario, California. Alfredo ’Perro’ Angulo could be added to this show.
* May 1st (HBO)- Juan Manuel Marquez vs. TBA: According to Golden Boy Promotions, CEO, Richard Schaefer, the return of Marquez,” Might be (Ricky) Hatton, it might be a doubleheader with Hatton. We are looking at other potential opponents. But definitely, May 1st.”
* May 22nd (Showtime): Israel Vazquez vs. Rafael Marquez IV: I know some are uneasy about this match-up but I think it’s the appropriate fight for both men. And if they fought a hundred times, you’d get a hundred great fights.
OTHER STUFF
– There was a lot of talk about WBC jr. welterweight champion Devon Alexander taking on Marcos Maidana, the WBA interim titlist on March 6th on an HBO ’Boxing After Dark’ card. But according to Schaefer,” We have been notified, as has been Frank Warren about Marcos Maidana being the mandatory for Amir Khan. That was already agreed upon by the various parties prior to Khan fighting Salita. They gave 30 days( to negotiate the fight), maybe two weeks ago. So I think in early January, if there’s going to be no agreement, that will come to a purse bid.”
– On March 20th, IBF heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko faces Eddie Chambers. A source told me that right now that HBO is ’reluctant’ to televise that bout and might instead, just go with the replay of Pacquiao-Mayweather( should that still come to fruition).
– Top Rank would like to see the return of Kelly Pavlik in the month of April and will be discussing that option with HBO. WBA middleweight belt-holder, Felix Sturm, has been kicked around as an option, as has going over to England.
– June 12th is being held by HBO for Top Rank for their traditional Puerto Rican Day Parade fight. Could this end up being Miguel Cotto against Foreman or maybe Lopez-Gamboa, should they both come out victorious on January 23rd?
– June 19th is the target date to match WBC lt. heavyweight champion, Jean Pascal, against Chad Dawson, who is the interim champion. This match-up would most likely take place at the Bell Centre in Montreal. Representatives for both fighters will be meeting at the beginning of the new year, I’ve been informed.
MORE FLURRIES
Should Pacquiao-Mayweather now be called ’Blood Feud’?….Pau Gasol extending his contract with the Lakers is great news. Now, Kobe’s next….If the relationship between Minnesota Vikings coach Brad Childress and quarterback Brett Favre was an 80’s sitcom, I think it would be called,’ Who’s the Boss?’…..On this weeks edition of ’the Main Event’ was promoter Dan Goossen and trainer Freddie Roach….Questions or emails can be sent to [email protected]….Twitter.com/stevemaxboxing…..
