By now boxing fans know about the sport’s latest impediment- the war between Golden Boy (with USADA and Showtime apparently in the promotion’s corner) and Top Rank (with VADA and HBO apparently on board). As a result, many fights boxing fans want to see have not come to fruition.
However, let’s look at some matchups that have taken place as a result of “Boxing’s Cold War” and how they have benefitted fight fans. Then moving forward, let’s explore some possibilities of good matches taking place if the status quo remains intact.
Golden Boy vs. Golden Boy
We’ll base this piece under the assumption that Floyd Mayweather, Jr is a Golden Boy fighter. We recently saw his matchup with Robert Guerrero and he just signed on for one of the most significant fights of his career, Saul Alvarez. We also were treated in 2010 to the forever-talked-about Mayweather/Ortiz fracas.
We’ve had intriguing matchups such as Saturday’s very entertaining scrap between Erislandy Lara and Alfredo Angulo. There have also been good fights with Abner Mares/Daniel Ponce De Leon and Mares/Anselmo Moreno. Let’s not forget the Maidana/Ortiz battle that generated multiple knockdowns by each fighter.
How about Lucas Matthysse vs. Lamont Peterson? The fight, as short-lived as it was, cleared up some questions that needed to be answered in the junior-welterweight division.
Soon we will see another matchup that fans can’t stop talking about. Someone really dropped the ball on this one. The Paulie Malignaggi/Adrien Broner war of words via Twitter, press conferences, and YouTube has been something to remember. Too bad an All Access show couldn’t have been put together to reach a larger base. These two fighters have produced some classic shit.
In December Amir Khan is scheduled to face Devon Alexander, possibly in Dubai. Win there and Khan, (pending a Mayweather victory), lines himself up as a leading candidate to face boxing’s cash cow.
Potential All-Golden Boy Matchups
If Boxing’s Cold War continues, there will continue to be some salacious fights that could take place in-house. How about Adrien Broner/Keith Thurman? Who wouldn’t want to see that one? Garcia/Broner would be cool too. A little James (Hello?) Kirkland/Alfredo Angulo II while we are at it? Then there’s always the potentially treacherous Matthysse/Maidana matchup. Anyone up for two promising heavyweights going at it? Golden Boy can always make Deontay Wilder/Seth Mitchell. Hopkins/De La Hoya II, anyone? Okay, I’ll stop right there. Just joking. But seriously folks, we all hope the hostility between Golden Boy and Top Rank will end sooner rather than later. Nonetheless, in a glass-half-full way of looking at things, there are plenty of in-house fights that can be made if this trend continues.
Top Rank vs. Top Rank
I’ll start this segment with a question. Who wouldn’t want to see Mike Alvarado/Brandon Rios III? Who’d be willing to put down some greenbacks if it was a small pay-per view event? How about a second bout between Nonito Donaire and the newly signed Vic Darchinyan? You believe the Bobfather isn’t already thinking light years ahead of us? Don’t be surprised if you see the rematch coming one day soon. Speaking of Donaire, we were also treated to a contest between Nonito and Guillermo Rigondeaux. This matchup was a unification of the super bantamweight titles and spoke volumes about who the sheriff in town was at this weight.
Coming soon are two potentially explosive matchups. The first pits Mikey Garcia against Juan Manuel Lopez this Saturday. I expect these two guys to feel each other out for a couple of rounds and then begin to start cracking. I can’t wait for this matchup. Then we have Brandon Rios taking on Manny Pacquiao. Here we have two fighters coming off of losses and headlining a pay per view. Only the Bobfather could get away with this. If Garcia and Lopez may take a few rounds to warm up, I expect Rios and Pacquiao to jump right to it from the start!
Of course, I’d be thoughtless if I didn’t mention the Timothy Bradley/Juan Manuel Marquez title fight slated for October. This could turn out to be a great contest.
Future Top Rank vs. Top Rank
I’d love to see the aforementioned Donaire/Darchinyan II. It should’ve happened years ago and Vic is getting up in age, but the Raging Bull fights exactly as his nickname suggests. That will make the fight a thrill as long as it lasts. I wouldn’t mind seeing a Darchinyan/Rigondeaux fight either. I can guarantee one thing. To the fans that booed when Donaire didn’t give enough chase to Rigo- you won’t have to worry about Darchinyan employing the same tactics. Vic’s Plan A, B, and C is to look for the knockout!
I wouldn’t mind seeing Bradley giving a young gun like the undefeated Terrance Crawford a shot at his title. Coming off a wide decision victory over Breidis Prescott, Crawford is close to being ready for the next step up in competition.
I’m sure Pacquiao would like to avenge his past two losses by putting hands on Bradley and Marquez one more time. I’d watch both fights for sure and so would fans that are true to the game.
So there you have it. Boxing will go on despite the difference that two of its biggest promotions have with each other. We are thankful for that and maybe… juuust maybe if the war prolongs, the consequence will be a continuance of excellent inter-promotional competition.