Breaking boxing news! Pacquiao Mayweather fall-out will not kill the sport!
Does boxing exist outside of the news cycle surrounding Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather?
Will boxing survive now that Pacquiao has moved on to face Joshua Clottey, one of the toughest welterweights in the world?
Yes, boxing will.
[Watch fight fans’ reactions to the Pacquiai – Mayweather fall-out]
I am here to remind fans there are other fighters and potential fights that will bring excitement to boxing.
So with no further written delay, I bring you XX fights that could bring the most important key for entertainment: action, action, and more action.
Kelly Pavlik vs. Paul Williams
I know this fight has fallen apart more times than a game of Jenga, but if middleweight Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams ever cross from each other in the same ring, make sure you are watching.
Pavlik is an offense metronome, beating out a steady beat of punches during a bout, and while Williams has more technical wrinkles to his boxing style, last December ?The Punisher? proved he can rumble when he went to war against Sergio Martinez.
Add the bad blood beginning to brew between Williams and Pavlik due to the cancellation of their proposed encounters in 2009, with each man blaming the others, and you could have an early fight of the decade candidate.
Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito II
Like it, or not, Antonio Margarito is likely to be reinstated as a boxer by the State of California during the early part of 2010 after being caught with a plaster like substance in his hand wraps before a fight with Shane Mosley in January, 2009.
Miguel Cotto, who received a horrible beating from Antonio Margarito in a classic bout during 2008, is coming off of a spanking by Manny Pacquiao and needs a high profile opponent going into possibly the final year of his career.
Though Cotto believes Margarito was using plaster-like wraps when he faced the Tijuana Tornado and has said he would not re-match Margarito due to this, money eventually talks in the sport of boxing.
There is no bigger fight for Miguel Cotto in the welterweight division for Cotto at this moment in time. Reports of a bout with Jose Luis Castillo during the summer have circulated, but a rematch with Margarito is ticket-seller, hot pay per view, and interesting story line for promotional purposes.
And for fight fans, a second battle between two men who put it all on the line during their first go around would be good news.
Mikkel Kessler vs. Carol Froch
Fight fans will not have to wish for this European clash, as it is set to take place on April 17 as part of the Showtime network?s super middleweight tournament.
Though Kessler lost to Andre Ward in his last outing and Froch was unable to get his offensive rolling in an ugly victory over Andre Dirrell, neither man should have any problems in getting their fights games on track this time around.
Both Kessler and Froch put their offense first and that will help set the conditions for a violent back and forth clash. Due to the structure of the super middleweight tournament, Kessler finds himself in a do or die position in order to advance, which will add even more drama and potential excitement to an already mouth watering match-up.
Tomas Ademek vs. Chris Arreola
If you have followed any of my thoughts regarding boxing over the last several years, by now you know that I am not a big fan of heavyweights. Most of these behemoths enter the ring out of shape, with little skill, and a propensity to hug and hold.
Of the current world-class heavyweight crop, two men bring action each and every time they step into the ring: Poland?s Tomas Ademek and American with Mexican roots Chris Arreola.
Though they might not be top ten heavyweights in a historical context, their warrior spirits and relentless offensive styles make them must watch boxing when they are on the television or YouTube.
Ademek vs. Arreola is a distinct possibility, as their promoters are in negotiations and HBO is looking to purchase the fight.
Marcos Maidana vs. Ricardo Torres
Remember the Colombian slugger that floored Miguel Cotto before losing and then had two memorable bouts against Kendall Holt?
Ricardo Torres can do one thing with high proficiency inside of a boxing ring: crack. His right hand is a thing of beauty but has only been unleashed once since his back and forth July, 2008 defeat by Holt.
Marco Maidana burst onto boxing scene last year when he beat highly touted prospect Victor Ortiz into submission. Since then none of the top names at junior welterweight have said a peep about fighting Maidana.
Torres vs. Maidana might not carry the name value of Hatton vs. Marquez or Khan vs. Marquez, but I can bet you that it would have more excitement than either of those two ill proposed fights.
Maybe this fight is a stretch, but a list of hot bouts for 2010 should go beyond the expected and pitting two Latin Americans, from rival nations (Colombia vs. Argentina), with offense first styles usually results in fan pleasing action.
If there are not any high profile junior welterweights searching out for Maidana and Torres, maybe they can find each other.
Edwin Valero vs. Humberto Soto
Much like Maidana and Torres, nobody is knocking on the doors of Venezuelan Edwin Valero or Humberto Soto.
It has been reported that when Edwin Valero fights young Antonio DeMarco in Mexico this February, Humberto Sotto will be sitting ringside and scouting Valero: excellent news for fight fans around the world.
Valero?s record of 26 wins with no losses and all 26 of those wins coming by they way of knockout has been well documented. Humberto Soto is a twelve-year veteran of the fight game who first caught the attentions of fans when he beat then blue chip prospect Rocky Juarez.
Neither man has ever been seen in boxing?s most elite stages and a bout between Valero and Soto could propel their careers to new heights while giving fans a true treat.
Valero is a no excuses left-handed puncher, who throws blows from every angle and at full throttle. Soto?s patience in the ring is unmatched, but when he finds his spots La Zorrita imposes his will on opponents.
Could Valero blast Soto, does Soto have the skill to operate inside the eye of a hurricane?
I do not know the answer, but sure would like to find out.
This list is a reminder that while we might not see Manny Pacquiao battle Floyd Mayweather during 2010, there is still a lot if solid boxing to been made and seen.
