24.01.04 – by John Gaulrapp: While it’s been fashionable to deride the talent, or lack thereof, in the heavyweight division the last few years – one thing is for certain; in 2004, there are potential match-ups that would make any fight historians mouth water. There are also match-ups that would make most fight historians groan. But I say – these fights need to be made anyway.
Sitting in the bar the other night, a few friends and I were discussing the dream match-ups that “could’ve been” from years ago. Of course no one would object to seeing what could have happened if Bowe fought Lewis or Hopkins squared off with Marvin Hagler. But the conversation, as it always seems to do, veered off towards today’s fighters and the wealth of intriguing match-ups that are out there.
Much has been written about the fights we’d all like to see this year (Klitschko/Lewis, Hopkins/DeLaHoya) but truth be told there are an abundance of good fights to be made right in the Heavyweight Division. Right in the heavyweight top ten. Sure there are infinite obstacles to many of these fights (rival promoters, rival networks, fighters with too much risk, fighters with too much too lose, etc..) But hey, I’m not a matchmaker or a promoter just a fan who thinks the following would be as good as it gets with the little we’ve got:
As I’m currently in the grips of Super Bowl Fever, please excuse the following promotional suggestions…
(In no particular order)
The Breakdown Bowl
Mike Tyson v. Chris Byrd
Sure there’s not much to gain for Tyson, but Byrd would love the purse. And who wouldn’t be curious to see which breaks down first, Byrd’s defense or Mike’s psyche.
The Triple A Bowl
Dominick Guinn vs Joe Mesi
Which of these two young heavies will make the jump to the major leagues? Tune in and find out.
The Stopwatch Bowl
John Ruiz vs David Tua
Okay, maybe no one’s interested in seeing Tua dismantle Ruiz again, but at least lets see if he can do it in under 19 seconds.
Vengeance Bowl
Vitali Klitschko vs. Corrie Sanders
The good doctor shrugs off a title shot to seek vengeance on his brothers conqueror. A promotional dream.
Vengeance Bowl (option II)
Vitali Klitschko vs. Chris Byrd
The good doctor takes a different road to the title and avenges his prior loss to Byrd. Byrd gets a willing opponent and a much deserved payday.
Vengeance Bowl (option III)
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Corrie Sanders
Kid brother cleans up his own mess.
The EuroDollar Bowl
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Mike Tyson
Both have tremendous appeal in Europe. A guaranteed huge payday for the bankrupt ex champ and a shot at a valid, critic silencing victory for the aspiring one.
The WBO Bowl (on ESPN 2)
Wladimir Klitschko vs. David Tua
Both are ex WBO belt holders. Both seem just a notch below championship caliber. Let them fight to reclaim the “notch below championship” belt.
Klitschko Conquerors Bowl
Chris Byrd vs. Corrie Sanders
Both beat a Klitschko. Byrd beat the man whose brother was beaten by his opponent. Sanders beat the man whose brother was beaten by his opponent. Intriguing? Exciting? Actually, no. Next.
Brooklyn Bowl
Shannon Briggs vs. Mike Tyson
Lets hope this happens. First, it’s a good tuneup fight with a nice payday for Mike. Second, if Briggs loses we don’t have to hear him beg for this fight anymore.
The “C’mon Already” Bowl
Lennox Lewis vs. Chris Byrd
C’mon already. Give him a shot.
Could it be the End Bowl
Wladimir Klitschko vs. Evander Holyfield
Klitschko KO’s Holyfield. Holyfield finally contemplates retirement.
It’s Really the End Bowl
Vitali Klitschko vs. Evander Holyfield
Klitschko pummels Holyfield into retirement.
God, Lets hope it doesn’t end this way bowl
David Tua vs. Evander Holyfield
Tua’s still got enough in that left hook that we should all hope this one actually doesn*t happen.
The Siesta Bowl
Juan Carlos Gomez vs. Fres Oquendo
Has anyone in boxing even shown a modicum of interest in either of these snooze merchants? Let’s hope they fight. Perhaps, at least the loser will fade into obscurity.
The Never-ending Pasta Bowl
Hasim Rahman vs. Kirk Johnson
Let the blubber fly as these tow tubs of goo go at it for 10 thoroughly uninteresting rounds.
Indecent Exposure Bowl
Joe Mesi vs. Mike Tyson
If Guinn’s not a big enough payday for Mesi, Tyson surely would be. And someone’s gotta expose this guy for what he is. Decent, at best.
YoMamma Bowl
Roy Jones Jr. Vs. James Toney
The press conferences may be better then the fight. Let the trash talk begin.
And of course, what Bowl list would be complete without
The Toilet Bowl
Lance Whitaker vs. Michael Grant
Nuff said.
Yes, the majority of these fights are devoid of talent, poor style match-ups and don’t have much to offer in making sense of the heavyweight division. There also highly unlikely to happen. But any of them do, I’ll be glued to the TV. And if your reading this, you probably will be too.