Ahead of the first fights of the New Year, BoxingFancast runs through its wish list of fights for 2012 and the chances of each big bout coming to fruition. (Part 2 of 2).
5) David Haye Vs Vitali Klitschko
Say what you will about David Haye in the wake of his disappointing defeat to Wladimir Klitschko last July, but the brash Brit remains the most marketable prospect in the heavyweight division and a cash cow that the other Klitschko brother, Vitali, will want to take full advantage of.
As with Haye?s fight with Wladimir last year, Britain?s Dereck Chisora stands in the way of an immediate deal being struck, however Vitali will see that as no more than a warm up before the final major fight of his career. At 40, Haye will back his chances of toppling the elder Klitschko despite being out of the ring for a year by the time the first bell rings.
Likelihood rating; 8/10
4) Carl Froch Vs Mikkel Kessler
After two and a half years of must win bouts, Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch may find themselves in another one before the end of 2012. Froch must prove that his defeat to Andre Ward is not symptomatic of a decline at the highest level and Kessler needs to demonstrate that he is fully healed from the career threatening eye injury that scuppered his participation in the latter stages of the Super Six.
A UK based rematch of their 2010 slugfest would appear the most logical step although Froch?s frosty relationship with the Sauerland promotional team that controls the Danish former champion could put a spanner in the works.
