The following match ups are the top five fights I would like to see in boxing today. I would like to inform the fans out there, that ultimately we decide on the fights that happen. So if you agree with the fights I have listed or would like to see some of your own, make your voice heard. As mentioned, I would really like to hear back from you all and see what you think of the match ups I have listed, and if there are any fights out there that you wanna see that I have not listed.
Out of my top five, number five will definitely get the biggest reaction. After reading my number one, you will find that you may hear about news regarding how soon or if it will ever happen or not. When I say that, I mean you may hear news first here at boxingtalk.
In my next article, I will focus on which weight division would be the next best to have a Showtime Super Six like tournament. I think Showtime had a great idea, and it should expand into other weight divisions.
5.Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.(41-0-1)-Oscar De La Hoya(39-6)-after reading this you are going to want to check my sanity. Yes I said Oscar De La Hoya, ?The Golden Boy.? I recently had a sit down interview with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in San Antonio before his fight with John Duddy. I asked him if he would like to fight Oscar De La Hoya. He responded by saying ?yes, out of revenge for the Mexicans.? Took me awhile to understand the meaning of what he said, and I?m still not sure if I understand, but it?s quotes like that, that make big fights. Come to think of it, this match up is not that far fetched, and you got to admit, if this ever happened, you know you would be watching. So why would Chavez Jr want the fight? Well mega pay day of course. Also, to get revenge for his father. After beating John Duddy, and getting Freddie Roach as his trainer, Chavez Jr. proved that he is a legit fighter. So why would Oscar want this fight? Well another pay day never hurts, but even more, I really do not think Oscar wants to be remembered for his last performance against Manny Pacqiauo. Also, Oscar is only 37. Another thing, we all no there is no such thing as retirement in boxing. Just ask Bernard Hopkins, Vitali Klitschko, and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Combining the history between De La Hoya and the Chavez?s, an Oscar comeback, along with the fact Chavez Jr. climbing up the ladder to the top, and Oscar climbing down from the ladder from the top, this fight can actually happen. Right now, both of these guys could be considered to be at the same level. If the public demands it, it will happen.
4.Juan Manuel Marquez(51-5-1)-Timothy Bradley(26-0)-I started slowly salivating after I put together this match up. Can you imagine this all-action fight? The fight would be best done at 140 lbs, where both fighters could maximize their hand speeds. This fight would be awesome, plain and simple. Both fighters have phenomenal hand speed, excellent reflexes, and neither has been knocked out, so the fans would be guaranteed to get twelve rounds of action. Marquez doesn?t lose any points with me regarding his performance against Floyd Mayweather Jr. I am surprised there was not more made of the fact Floyd came in heavy. Marquez shouldn?t have agreed to move up in weight. It had a drastic effect on his hand speed. I do not think that there are two fighters in boxing that could have a faster exchange in the middle of the ring. The winner of this fight would be the legitimate contender for Manny Pacqiauo, wherever he is in six months. The USA-Mexico factor would also play a factor in wanting to see these two go at it, also it makes the fight more interesting when one fighter?s 0 is in serious jeopardy. Overall, with these two?s talent levels, and the excitement they bring to their fights. It would definitely get a lot of people interested.
3.Ricky Hatton-Amir Khan(23-1)-if you read the number seven on my list, I mentioned there was only one other possible fight out there that could compare to the level of intensity a fight like number seven could bring. This is definitely it. When you hear that phrase ?you can cut the tension with a knife,? that definitely applies here. First off, due to the fact Hatton has not fought in over a year, he would definitely have to have a tune up before these two met. After that, WOW! Amir Kahn has been active recently, he is younger, and taller, but I think Hatton could find ways to cope. Keep in mind Hatton proudly sports a 45-2 record. His only two losses came at the hands of the pound for pound best boxers in the world. There is definitely no shame in that. Many of us have forgotten Hatton retired Kostya Tszyu whom at the time was regarded as the number two or three best pound for pound fighter at the time. Hatton has also disposed of talented fighters such as Paul Malignaggi, Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Urango, and Carlos Maussa all when they were solid contenders. I have never seen a boxer have a following like the Hitman possesses. A following that he rightfully earned with his relentless come forward style, and down to earth attitude outside the ring. Along with the insane atmosphere, along with the fight itself seeing how an older shorter, yet more experienced Hatton could overcome these obstacles, I think boxing fans not only in the United Kingdom, but all over the world would have a fight we could remember for years to come. Out of all twenty fights I have named, this would be my top choice to attend. Label this one ?The Battle for Britain? and get ready to possibly see the most intense boxing crowd you have ever seen.
2.Vitali Klitschko(40-2)-Nikolay Valuev(50-2)-I would be willing to bet that none of you predicted I would put this as my number two. However, there are several reasons as to why I want to see this fight. First off, Vitali is one of the most dominant heavyweights the boxing world has seen in years. He has never been out boxed. Out of 40 wins, he has 38 knock outs. I remember reading an article another boxing writer wrote, and the writer put it best when he said Vitali ?kicks like a mule? with his punches. Not only is he a great fighter, he is also a compliment to the sport. Outside the ring he presents himself in a manner I believe most heavyweight champions should. Well dressed, well spoken, and never acting too good for the press or the fans. Ok let?s get to it, why would I want to see him fight Valuev. First off, Valuev does not have Manny Pacqiauo coordination or hand speed, and no he does not have Oscar De La Hoya style good looks. However he is a legit fighter. Remember, he is a former WBA champion that has never lost due to a unanimous, split decision or knock out. So the guy is not just some tall goofy giant who cannot fight. That, on top of the fact I would love to see how Vitali deals with a taller opponent. I would find that very, very interesting. Klitschko may have a difficult time adjusting, believe it or not, Valuev is four inches taller than Vitali. Plus who would have ever thought we would ever see two legitimate fighters around seven feet tall, weighing over a combined 560 lbs go at it? Before Dr. Ironfist calls it quits, I think that a match up with the Russian giant would be the only real test out there. I say this due to the fact Vitali continues to decimate his shorter opposition. Have the Ukrainian take on the Russian at a neutral site in Hamburg. Just based on size alone would be enough to garner some mainstream media attention. Call this one ?It Doesn?t Get Any Bigger Than This.?
1.Manny Pacquaio(51-3-2)-Floyd Mayweather(41-0)-ok, so I along with the rest of the entire world list this as the number one fight I would like to see. This fight should be entitled ?Finally?.History In the Making.? The fight is just to enticing to myself, and the public. For the past couple years we have seen both future hall of famers tested time and time again, only to see them emerge victorious. Both rightfully deserve the number one and two spot amongst the pound for pound elite. It is a bit ironic when one fighter, Mayweather has no kind of a fan base, that so many people want to see this fight. So why is this fight so attractive to me, and the entire world? Well, plain and simple. One of these fighters has to lose! Something we are most definitely not used to seeing. We want both boxing supermen in the ring, so something has to give. If or when these two meet I really hope that Mayweather does not pull the same shenanigans he did when he went up in weight against Juan Manuel Marquez. By the fact that this fight continues to be put off, it makes the public want to see it even more. However, if either fighter does lose, it will definitely send make the public take a back seat as far as interest is concerned. That or having the two meet five years past their primes, this dream fight will not be what it could be now. My message to both camps is: find a compromise on the blood testing! Can?t a 30 millions dollar purse give some kind of incentive? My hope is that MargaCHEATO does not get licensed anywhere, so Bob Arum and team Pacquaio can focus on making this dream fight happen. A lot depends on whether or not Texas will grant MargaCHEATO a license. There has been talk of the Pacquaio-MargaCHEATO fight happening at Cowboys stadium in Dallas. So will MargaCHEATO get licensed in Texas? You should find out from yours truly in the next couple days, possibly tomorrow as I just got the Texas Boxing Commissioner Dickie Cole?s phone number. Keep in mind, in the boxing world, what the people want, is what the people get, and we want Pacquaio-Mayweather NOW!
