It’s Monday. Welcome to the premiere edition of Observe and Fight in 2012, The Boxing Observer’s compilation of observations and random thoughts from the sport of boxing. Happy New Years FightHype fans! It was an interesting 2011 to say the least. Hopefully the new year brings about some change for the better in the sweet science. Get a glimpse into the future at my boxing wish list for 2012. Without further ado, check out the latest from The Boxing Observer.
A Floyd Mayweather vs. Sergio Martinez middleweight showdown. Floyd would likely prefer to drain Martinez down as much as possible, but Mayweather has fought once at 154-lbs when he defeated Oscar De La Hoya. Martinez is 38 years old and the fight could be dangerous enough for fight fans to pay $65 for a pay-per-view to see Mayweather fight a truly bigger guy.
Juan Manuel Marquez or Timothy Bradley to defeat Manny Pacquiao. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a Pacquiao fan. He is a fan-friendly fighter who always puts on a show, but his last few opponents have been hand-picked and forced to adhere to Bob Arum’s strict negotiating tactics to make a payday. If Marquez or Bradley knocks off Pacquiao, Bob Arum would take it straight up the ass and miss out on the largest payday in boxing history in Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.
Andre Ward to move up to light heavyweight and face IBF champion Tavoris Cloud. Ward’s logical next step at super middleweight is to face Lucian Bute, but he doesn’t seem too eager to get in the ring due to Bute’s lack of a resume. Cloud is still an enigma at 175 pounds, strictly for lack of activity. If Cloud were promoted by Top Rank or Golden Boy, he would be a star. Unfortunately, Don King has a knack for screwing up a fighter’s career.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and Saul “Canelo” Alvarez to step in the squared circle. The only thing stopping this fight from being made is ego. The egos of those in charge at Golden Boy and Top Rank cannot let this huge payday slip through the cracks. This is a guaranteed Fight of the Year candidate. Both guys are young and still developing, and both have huge fan bases in Mexico and the United States. Both guys are also susceptible to being beat and nobody wants to see another Yuriorkis Gamboa and Juan Manuel Lopez situation. This fight sells 60,000 in a Mexican soccer stadium and does over 1 million buys easy; too stupid to risk with “a buildup.”
Gary Russell Jr. vs Yuriorkis Gamboa. Forget about Gamboa moving up to lightweight. There are more appealing fights at 126 pounds, including Russell, Donaire, Lopez, and even Broner at 130 pounds. A Gamboa vs. Russell Jr. fight would be big enough for HBO to shell out large dollars and put the winner in the driver’s seat as boxing’s next superstar.
Anybody to defeat either of the Klitschkos. As classy as both Wladimir and Vitali are, they are killing the heavyweight division to no fault of their own. I’m not saying if either loses, the heavyweight division will be revived, but it sure as hell won’t hurt. At this point, I’m almost hoping David Haye beats Vitali.
Brandon Rios to fight Marcos Maidana. I would cast this Fight of the Year before the fight even takes place and would be willing to bet money it delivers. Enough said!
A healthy return for Robert Guerrero. One of the classiest guys in boxing just can’t seem to catch a break. He is ultra-talented and could be a serious threat to anyone between lightweight and welterweight. Let’s hope his shoulder recovers soon and “The Ghost” comes back strong in 2012.
Roy Jones Jr., Evander Holyfield, Kelly Pavlik, and Don King to retire. It’s time fellas. Hang ’em up.
Abner Mares to fight Nonito Donaire in late 2012. I think Donaire will continue to roll at 122 pounds and Mares needs one or two more fights to be ready for Donaire. Yet another potential Fight of the Year candidate except for one problem…Donaire is a Top Rank fighter and Mares fights for Golden Boy. MAJOR ISSUE!
Ivan Calderon to stop trying to act like Scarface. In November, the Puerto Rican feds raided the home of the 36-year-old former light flyweight champion and found over $4 million worth of cocaine. Calderon’s career might be nearing an end, but that doesn’t mean he is as good as Tony Montana at hiding his coke.
Of everything on this wish list, if 20% of this actually happens, it should be a great year in boxing. Check back next Monday for more Observe and Fight.
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