Although 2004 is nearing it’s conclusion we have the end of the year Fierce 15. A couple of shakeups to end the year in the pound for pound list and next month looks to be a slow one as far as the P4P race is concerned with only No. 2 Floyd Mayweather in action against a gimme opponent. However Arturo Gatti in action is always a Godsend. On to the finale of 2004:
Fierce departures: (14) Joel Casamayor.
15. Juan Manuel Marquez (13) – HBO has set aside Feb. 26 for Pacquiao-Marquez II. Need we say more?
14. Oscar De La Hoya (12) – De La Hoya officially said that he plans on fighting again, but it won’t be at 160 or 154. Wow. So we get a welterweight De La Hoya. Is this Christmas?
13. Jose Luis Castillo (15) – His fight against Casamayor was no fight of the year, but Castillo finally chased him down to win the fight. Props to Castillo, who will either fight Diego Corrales or Kostya Tszyu, look for May 7 as the date. Words to the wise JLC — you might want to see if you can beat Corrales first.
12. Cory Spinks (11) – Don King is putting it together. Spinks-Judah II on PPV at the same time HBO will have Floyd Mayweather in action on Jan. 22. The fight may also take place Feb. 5.
11. Erik Morales (10) – Morales has said he might move up if his friend Castillo moves up to fight Tszyu. Does this mean no Barrera-Morales IV? Fans everywhere want more, Erik.
10. Marco Antonio Barrera (9) – A fighter everyone thought was washed up has options before taking on Pacquiao. Jesus Chavez and Carlos Hernandez would be great fights even though Morales just beat both of them. Let’s face it though Marco you know what we want, Barrera-Morales IV.
9. Manny Pacquiao (8) – Pacquiao crushed Fashan 3K Battery as he should have now the focused Featherweight Champion looks to February to finish what he started with Marquez.
8. Diego Corrales (7) – Corrales could benefit if Castillo moves up. If Castillo moves up here comes Erik Morales. Not a bad replacement, in what would surely be a fight of the year in the making.
7. Antonio Tarver (6) – A very close fight another decision loss for Tarver, he said he needs to knock guys out to win. No, he just needs to close the show in fashion he lost to Roy Jones, JR. because he lost the championship rounds and the same thing happened against Johnson. We’ll see if he gets the rematch he deserves.
6. Glencoffe Johnson (NR) – Welcome to the party Glencoffe. Probably the fighter of the year with most writers, Johnson has arrived after so many disappointments. It’s a great story and hopefully he stays at the top for awhile.
5. Winky Wright (5) – Wright and his handlers turned down three million to fight Felix Trinidad. I agree, but then I don’t, Wright would make more money in his next fight if he beats Trinidad. Hopkins-Wright would be huge after that. Trinidad may turn to Felix Sturm and Wright may fight mandatory Javier Castillejo.
4. Felix Trinidad (4) – Trinidad gets 10 million and Wright 3 million, Winky’s not budging on what would be a great battle. So Trinidad turns to the guy who almost beat De La Hoya, Felix Sturm. I actually think a deal will work out between Wright and Trinidad. At least I hope so.
3. Kostya Tszyu (3) – Tszyu’s knockout is still impressive with all the time he had off. He’s being called out by everyone, De La Hoya, Vivian Harris, Ricky Hatton, Jose Luis Castillo, Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, but who’s next? My money’s on Hatton.
2. Floyd Mayweather (2) – Floyd’s back against Henry Bruseles, who, exactly, but hey if that helps set up Mayweather vs. Gatti in June, clear the way.
1. Bernard Hopkins (1) – Golden Boy Productions won the purse for Hopkins vs. Howard Eastman, that should be a great fight as the Executioner looks to victimize the British fighter for title defense No. 20.
