This year holds the promise of numerous interesting boxing match-ups, including the one fans have been hungering for over the past two years. Starting with that one, let?s take a look at some of the possibilities. If even half these contests manage to get made, 2012 will be a very good year for the sport.
Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. While this is still the biggest fight out there, interest in it is beginning fade. When plans for this megafight were first announced in December of 2009, fan frenzy was enough to match anything NFL or NASCAR enthusiasts could muster. But squabbles and gamesmanship got in the way, and disappointment in the promoters? inability to get the fight made has mounted. Plus which, Pacquiao is showing signs of slippage, and Mayweather is locked in legal difficulties. This is likely the last year in which Pacquiao-Mayweather will matter ? if the welterweight bout ever comes off, that is.
Andre Ward-Lucian Bute. These two undefeated fighters are at the top of the 168-pound world. War won the Super Six tournament. Bute did not participate in the Super Six, but he continued to rack up victories. He and Ward are on a collision course. Even though Ward is saying he doesn?t need Bute, he is the type of fighter who yearns to test himself against the best opposition. Right now, Bute is best super-middleweight that Ward hasn?t already beaten. Ward-Bute is the second-most anticipated matchup in the game right now, after Pacquiao-Mayweather.
Lamont Peterson-Amir Khan II. In the first fight between these 140-pounders, Peterson came off the floor to score a controversial upset points win over the highly touted Khan. Their battle was not only close, it was also entertaining. These two need to do it again. There could be a trilogy in the works here.
Bernard Hopkins-Chad Dawson II. Yes, their two-round fight that was first called a TKO for Dawson but later changed to a No Contest was supremely unsatisfying. But that?s because it ended weirdly, with Hopkins injured after Dawson flipped him to the canvas. Like it or not, there is unfinished business between these two. Nothing was settled the first time they met.
Nonito Donaire-Guillermo Rigondeaux. Donaire is a puncher who can box. Rigondeaux is a boxer who can punch. Contest between fighters with those styles more often than not result in barnburners. Donaire would be moving up from bantamweight to junior-featherweight. With his power, that shouldn?t be a problem.
Sergio Martinez-Felix Sturm. These two middleweight title-holders have been clamoring for a big fight for years. So why not take on each other? At 36, Martinez is four years older than Sturm, but the latter is the one who seems to be showing some wear and tear. In his last two fights, Sturm managed only split-decision win and a draw. Sturm would likely be able to raise his game for Martinez, though. If Martinez can be persuaded to fight in Sturm?s native Germany, a humongous payday looms.
