There are so many things developing, not developing and rumors swirling that I needed to get some things down and spew out my forecasts for the events that have the boxing world buzzing.
Kostya Tszyu vs. Ricky Hatton
Will it or won’t it? Obviously we all know that Tszyu, along with Trinidad is the most lucrative bout for all the stars on the verge. Hatton’s camp says it’s a done deal, Kostya himself said there is no deal, but there are on going talks.
Apparently the hold up is the usual one — Money. However, Frank Warren also wants Tsyzu to come to England and fight Hatton. Good luck, not only are you asking him to fight on Hatton’s turf plus bringing in tons more revenue than the $5 million you’ve offered Tszyu. I’m hoping this fight happens, I think it would be one of the most exciting fights of 2005 and we finally get to see how good Ricky really is. I think the chances are slim of the fight happening, Tsyzu is a hot commodity and just like Trinidad is playing hardball with Winky Wright, Tsyzu will do the same with Hatton. Hatton and Wright need the stars to become attractions not the other way around.
Felix Tito Trinidad vs. Winky Wright
Wright has the credentials, but like the great world champion boxers Chris Byrd and Cory Spinks, he’s not a crowd pleasing fighter. Byrd has done his best to mix it up and it’s increased his stock as a watchable fighter, but he’s barely won. Wright will not change, but says $3 million is not enough to fight Felix Trinidad. Wright deserves more money, but in the real world he won’t get it, because he’s not De La Hoya, Hopkins or even though he’s beat him twice, Shane Mosley. He hasn’t yet established the ability to capture the casual fight fan. He’s won so many of the boxing purists with his boxing skills, but unfortunately the public pays to see killers. Like Felix Trinidad. Not boxers like Winky Wright. My advice. Take the fight Wink; beating Trinidad makes your next fight that much more lucrative. That’s the only way you can truly build your bankroll beating the P4P best.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez II
Here’s a shocker for you. This fight will not happen. I don’t know what it is, but I don’t think that Marquez wants any part of Pac Man. After he was nearly gobbled up in the first round against the Ring Magazine Featherweight Champion, Marquez seemed to have lost his edge in his last outing against Orlando Salido.
Pacquiao and promoter Murad Muhammad have offered Marquez 750K to fight Pac Man who would be earning 900K for the fight. Marquez’s people want 1.5 million to get back into the ring. My guess, I don’t think he’ll see that fee double. The ‘acceptable to HBO’ term has already been thrown around and trust me that’s who will we see in the other corner against Pacquiao on Feb. 26.
Joe Mesi wants to return despite a brain hematoma
Mesi is featured in this month’s ESPN The Magazine and he’s confirmed that his brain bled in his fight against Vassily Jirov. I admire Mesi’s courage for wanting to fight, but with the two beatings he took from Monte Barrett and Jirov, what would happen if he took Danny Williams place against Vitali Klitschko. I hope that the State Athletic Commissions take every piece of legitimate evidence into consideration because Mesi should no longer fight if he is in any real danger. I’d love to see you back in the ring Joe, but make the right decision, whatever it might be.
Kassim Ouma vs. Kofi Jantuah
Wow! Wow! My only hope for this Jan. 29 clash on the undercard of Arturo Gatti vs. James Leija is that both fighters become stars. I’m talking the type of fight that is a frontrunner for Fight of the Year. I am a big fan of both fighters and I don’t want either guy to lose. Hopefully the outcome is close enough to merit a rematch and earn both of them the riches they deserve. Trust me set the VCR or TIVO to record, you will not want to miss this gem.
Who’s the next heavyweight for HBO to hype up?
Turn in Jan. 22 to get your answer. Samuel Peter, fresh off a KO of Jeremy Williams, takes on Yamplier Azcuy on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather vs. Henry Bruseles. Azcuy is best known for his KO of previously unbeaten Juan Carlos Gomez. He put the lights out on the undefeated former cruiserweight champion in one round. Look for the winner of this fight to be hyped by the Home Box Office as a possible heir to the heavyweight throne.
