The attention for the rest of the boxing year will be centered on the Sept. 18 middleweight showdown between Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De La Hoya. Otherwise, the recurring theme for the next six months is “Rematch.”
There are some intriguing return matches on the ledger for the second half of 2004. Here are a few.
Wanted: “Pac-Man”
Manny Pacquiao vs. Marco Antonio Barrera 2: Earlier in the year, this was one rematch no one was much interested in seeing. Pacquiao had just thrashed Barrera over 11 one-sided rounds the previous November, and it appeared as though the Mexican great had grown old overnight. But since then, Pacquiao was proven to be mortal in a thrilling draw with fellow featherweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez on May 8, and Barrera was flawless in a 10th-round thumping of two-time champ Paulie Ayala on June 19. Rather than brawling, as he did against Pacquiao, Barrera boxed beautifully — and convinced some that a similar gameplan would provide “Pac-Man” with big problems. Negotiations for a November rematch in Los Angeles have begun.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez 2: Their May 8 original undoubtedly will be voted 2004’s “Fight of the Year,” and it immediately took its place as one of the greatest 126-pound fights in boxing history. You remember: Pacquiao pounded Marquez in the first round, dropping him three times. But Marquez got up, and proceeded to issue Pacquiao a boxing lesson in many of the ensuing rounds. He earned a draw, and now that he knows how to avoid Pacquiao’s big left hand, you have to wonder if he would have a better chance in a rematch. If Pacquiao-Barrera 2 doesn’t happen, Pacquiao-Marquez 2 will — probably in November or December. Sharmba & Shane
Kostya Tszyu vs. Sharmba Mitchell 2: This snakebitten rematch has been scheduled, postponed and rescheduled so many times you wonder if the fight will come off before the combatants collect their social security checks. The pair fought for the first time in February 2001, with Mitchell retiring in the seventh round because of a bum knee. It wasn’t one of Tszyu’s better performances, and some wondered if a healthy Mitchell would box his way to victory. Since then, Mitchell has racked up a string of impressive wins against tough competition, while Tszyu has fought sparingly because of his own health problems. You’d almost have to favor Mitchell because of his activity and Tszyu’s deteriorating physical condition. The rematch is tentatively set for Nov. 6.
Winky Wright vs. Shane Mosley 2: This one is surprising because of Wright’s domination in the March 13 original. But Winky is a stand-up guy, and he knew that, without Mosley, he’d still be trapped in obscurity. So the rematch is set for Nov. 20. But you have to wonder what Mosley can do different in the rematch. He hardly won a round the first time around. And the last time he opted for a quick rematch with the man who beat him, Vernon Forrest won an easy decision in 2002. But “Sugar Shane” is banking on new trainer Joe Goossen — who replaced his father Jack — to add a freshness to his attack. Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected]; 546-6166.
