Santa’s big right hand is on the way. And in it, his sack full of the five finest Christmas presents which boxing could wish for this Yuletide…
1) The signing of contracts for Manny Pacquiao to fight Floyd Mayweather Jnr for the mythical pound-for-pound title. Unless it happens soon the first $200million fight – which would galvanise worldwide attention in the hardest game way beyond the blood brotherhood of the ring – will never take place and boxing will be the poorer. Come on Floyd, nerve yourself. Otherwise Amir Khan will have to whup you on Manny?s behalf and that would be even more embarrassing.
2) A cure for Parkinson?s before it is too late for Muhammad Ali – and for all the fellow sufferers around the world who are inspired by his defiance. The Greatest (left) deserves to go the distance.
3) The signing of contracts for David Haye to fight A.N. Kliltschko. It doesn?t matter if it?s Wladimir or Vitali but will one of these big brothers please put an end to all the false promises and give London?s WBA champion his chance to unify the world heavyweight kingdom.
4) A miraculous last step to full recovery from brain damage for Michael Watson, that heroic figure who has already defied medical science by waking from a coma, rising from his wheelchair and walking the entire course of the London marathon. Next time, may he run.
5) The signing of contracts by Carl Froch with a major TV network so that the hidden diamond of British boxing can sparkle in the light of full exposure. After taking on five world class super-middleweights in successive thrillers – Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Mkkel Kessler and that masterpiece thrashing of Arthur Abraham in Helsinki – the Nottingham Cobra deserves nothing less. Come on Sky.
