20.09.07 – By Gerard Wilson: Before anyone informs me of this, I know that 2007 is not over with and we have a slate of eagerly anticipated fights in the fall and winter of 2007. Let’s just say that I am going to assume the outcomes of some of these scheduled boxing fights and peak ahead to what I want as a fight fan in 2008.
Floyd Mayweather versus the winner of Miguel Cotto/Shane Mosley – Don’t get me wrong, I feel that Ricky Hatton will make a good showing for himself in December against Floyd. However, I expect Floyd to handle his business and come out victorious. This would be a nice set up for Floyd to take on the winner of Miguel Cotto versus Shane Mosley.
Obviously, I think that Cotto/Mosley is a toss up fight. Floyd Mayweather Jr. against the winner of that fight would be a mega fight in the deep welterweight division.
Roy Jones Jr. versus Glen Johnson – I know that some of you are probably wondering why I would want to see this fight. The way I see it, if Roy is going to stick around he might as well go after the man who embarrassed him in major fashion on HBO. Roy is scheduled to fight Felix Trinidad in January of 2008. I am not a fan of Jones/Trinidad in 2008, but I guess like TheWu-Tang Clan stated back in 1994: C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me). This fight is basically about money. I expect Roy to win and I hope that he at least tries to avenge his loss to Johnson. Glen Johnson on the other hand, has had a hard time landing an opponent that would at least create some buzz. I think this man has paid his dues and deserves an opportunity to be in the spotlight. Roy Jones Jr. would be fighting for pride and Glen Johnson would be fighting for mainstream acceptance. I know the ball will be in Roy’s court to make this fight happen.
Joe Calzaghe/Mikkel Kessler winner versus Bernard Hopkins – I guess the best case scenario from a promotional standpoint would be for Joe Calzaghe to defeat Mikkel Kessler on November 3rd and position himself for a showdown against Bernard Hopkins. This would be a classic showdown between a former long-time dominant middleweight boxing champ (now light heavyweight king) and the current Super Middleweight crème de la crème (if I can quote Floyd Mayweather Jr’s assessment of himself).
O’Neil Bell versus Jean Marc-Mormeck – This cruiserweight match up is a hardcore boxing fan’s type of fight. The first two fights were back and forth action packed bouts. Hopefully we are treated to a rubber-match between these two in 2008. Their first encounter in January of 2006 saw Mormeck run out of gas and KO’d in the 10th round by Bell. Bell withstood Mormeck’s pressure and counter punched beautifully en route to the KO. The second fight was another competitive bout in which Mormeck was able to outwork Bell en route to a 12 round unanimous decision. Mormeck is scheduled to defend his World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council Cruiserweight titles against David Haye on November 10th in France. If Mormeck gets past David Haye (as I anticipate he will), then Mormeck/Bell 3 should definitely be on someone’s “to do list.” Message to HBO or Showtime: Don’t let this potential fight slip to a lesser network like the second fight did.
Manny Pacquiao versus Juan Manuel Marquez – Their first fight started off as if it would be a quick night of work for Manny Pacquiao, as he put Juan Manuel Marquez on the deck 3 times in the opening round. However, Marquez was able to keep his composure and rally in the middle and late rounds to secure a draw. Actually there were some people who even had Marquez doing enough to win the fight. Personally I had no problem with the official decision of a draw. Pacquiao has a rematch next month (Oct. 6th) against Marco Antonio Barrera. Meanwhile, Marquez will face Rocky Juarez on November 3rd. If Pacquiao and Marquez win their respective fights as I expect, a rematch of their 2004 clash makes sense to me.
Here is a list of other fights that I want to see as well:
Chad Dawson versus Glen Johnson or Antonio Tarver
Kermit Cintron versus Antonio Margarito (rematch)
Joshua Clottey versus Paul Williams
Samuel Peter versus Wladimir Klitschko
Winky Wright versus Jermain Taylor or Kelly Pavlik