Fight fans will be treated to two high-profile rematches in the coming months: Lamont Peterson vs. Amir Khan (May 19) and Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto (June 23). However, there are several other high octane rematches that could be put together for the benefit of boxing’s long-suffering fan base.
Here’s a look at five fan-friendly rematches:
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Manny Pacquiao
Marquez has options at junior welterweight, but none would be better paid or more meaningful than a move back to welterweight and a fourth crack at the Filipino icon, Manny Pacquiao. The point could be legitimately made that Marquez should be 2-0-1 vs. Pacquiao and some would even argue that the Mexican superstar should be 3-0. Whether fans side with Marquez or Pacquiao, the record books state that Marquez is winless against the reigning WBO welterweight champ. This is something that seriously irks Marquez and should produce a compelling fourth encounter.
Felix Sturm vs. Matthew Macklin
Their bout in 2011 was a close, entertaining affair that ended with a controversial split decision in favor of the defending WBA middleweight champ, Sturm. Since then, Sturm has beaten Martin Murray and Sebastian Zbik while Macklin upped his stock with a good performance in his RTD 11 loss to Sergio Martinez in March.
Andre Dirrell vs. Carl Froch
Froch will have his hands full with two bouts against IBF super middleweight champ, Lucian Bute. However, afterwards, it would be interesting to revisit his controversial 2009 bout with Andre Dirrell. In that contest, a part of the Super Six tournament, Froch won a close split decision over the American. A rematch would make for an entertaining bout featuring two very distinct styles– Froch, the stalking battler vs. Dirrell, the quick stylist.
Jean Pascal vs. Chad Dawson
It took about ten rounds for then-defending WBC light heavyweight champ, Chad Dawson, to feel the necessity to actually fight, but when he did, the bout became a nice piece of drama in Pascal’s adopted hometown of Montreal. Entering into the championship rounds, Dawson, solidly behind on the scorecards, began to push for a knockout against the front-running challenger. If not for a fight-ending cut for Dawson in the eleventh round, some feel that the defending champ might have knocked Pascal out. A rematch would likely pick up right where the first bout ended.
Tavoris Cloud vs. Gabriel Campillo
The widely-criticized split decision win for IBF light heavyweight champ, Cloud, pretty much demands that a rematch take place. Most observers had Spain’s Campillo solidly ahead after twelve rounds and feel that the defending champ was lucky to walk away with his belt. A rematch would allow Campillo another chance to take the title and it would give Cloud a way to redeem himself in the eyes of fans.
