There are already plenty of intriguing matches that fans around the world want to see in the new year, but there are a few which stand out above the rest as essential matchmaking.
The most obvious fight that people want to see is between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, although there are great fights to be made an almost every weight. Fights are a matter of preference, but here are a few I’d like to see over the coming months.
Vic Darchinyan vs. Nonito Donaire
Their first fight saw Donaire hand Darchinyan his first loss with a 5th round knockout. Since then both have captured titles and look set for another collision sometime later in the year. Donaire first needs to get past Gerson Guerrero, but barring that the pair seem destined to meet again. Darchinyan holds the titles this time around, with Donaire being the interim for Vic’s WBA title. Darchinyan will be eager to prove the first fight was a fluke, Donaire to prove he is the better fighter and finally cement himself as the best super flyweight in the world.
David Haye vs. Vitali Klitschko
The two most relevant fighters in the heavyweight division, with the exception of perhaps Wladimir Klitschko would make for a big fight. Haye would be an underdog but might finally bring some demand for heavyweights back to the American marketplace, which has long suffered under Eastern European dominance. The last days of the Klitschko dynasty will be upon us soon, and Haye is perhaps the only man out there at the moment who has the appeal and skill to rule over the barren heavyweight scene.
Miguel Cotto vs. Kermit Cintron
Both men are in need of a big win and Cotto has said recently he intends to move up for the remainder of his career. Cintron kept a low profile for most of 2009, having drawn with Sergio Martinez i the early part of the year. Seemingly struggling to find many big fights at the moment, Cintron was the first one to propose the all Puerto Rican showdown with Cotto. Cintron might be too good of an opponent for Cotto’s first fight at 154lbs, but this fight could happen a little further down the line, and would no doubt prove to be a big seller.
Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Manuel Marquez
A lot of people don’t want to see this one, mostly because Marquez should be at a lower weight where he is best and Hatton should be retired. Personally though I’d like to see if Hatton can get back to anything like his best once more and go out on a win. Losing here doesn’t matter so much for Marquez because again he is undersized, but either way the fight will probably be a close one. Win or lose though Hatton should retire after the fight, given his lifestyle and weight problems, he was never going to be a fighter with a long career, and he looks to have passed his best already.
Amir Khan vs. Timothy Bradley/Marcos Maidana/Devon Alexander
This year should be a big one for Amir Khan, as he hopefully rises from ABC titlist to lineal champ, or at the very least something like it. Still being brought along slowly by his management and training teams, Khan needs to step up and face some of the better fighters of the division soon if he wants to keep his credibility in tact. The old saying that you can only beat what’s put in front of you springs to mind when thinking about Khan, who has the potential to beat much better fighters than he has been facing recently. The Salita fight alone should be enough to let his management know he’s ready to start fighting better competition.
Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez II
The first fight was a candidate for fight of the year and the outcome was controversial and disputed, both things which pave the way for another clash in 2010. Williams would no doubt also like Martinez’s WBO title and should he get it soon, Martinez will no doubt welcome Paul Williams IBO title (Williams is the currently top ranked fighter for the vacant belt)
Paul Williams vs. Kelly Pavlik
Assuming both men can stay healthy and that other big fights don’t come along, this one looks a shoe in for sometime next year. While Pavlik has stuttered since his loss to B-Hop, Williams has thrived, recently having beaten Martinez in an all out battle. Pavlik can secure his footing at the top of the middleweight tree with beating Williams, while Williams can get himself a belt and find a more permanent home after his recent division hopping.
