More often than not, boxing doesn't get a lot of headlines unless its for the wrong reasons. But in 2012, the sport actually experienced somewhat of a renaissance. In no particular order, these are a few fights we wouldn't mind watching this year. Not that we will, but oh the possibilities...
1. David Price vs. Tyson Fury
Alright I know it’s not the most scintillating match-up in the world, but it is a heavyweight fight with some relevance. I think if the “price” is right, David would have more “fury” than Tyson and stop him in about 5 wildly entertaining rounds. I’m just saying.
2. Sergio Martinez vs. Gennady Golovkin
Golovkin is a star in the making, and this fight would go a long way in proving just that. This kid has it all, and he’s only going to get better as we’ll see when he destroys Gabriel Rosado in a few weeks. For the insanely conditioned Martinez, this would be the fight of his life and he would come up short. Like 10 seconds I can’t remember short. Yeah.
3. Adrien Broner vs. Orlando Salido
Salido is like a younger, 130lb Mexican version of Glen Johnson and would have no problem coming up to get Broner. This guy is all war and all business. I believe Adrien Broner- “The Problem”, would have serious ones against Salido. Well on his way to greatness, this is the type of challenge the brash Broner needs and he would deliver. He would empty every tool in his tool box to do it, but he would.
4. Andre Ward vs. Nathan Cleverly
I feel bad for Andre. He’s the sports’ most preeminent fighter and he can’t get the respect or the fights he deserves for whatever reason (this time an injury while preparing for a paint job on Kelly Pavlik). He can kill a few birds with one stone against the immensely popular Welshman at 175lbs and take a title in the process.
5. Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios
This is a straight up action, fight of the year type fistfight. It is also just the type of fight Pacquiao needs at this stage of his life and career. Rios has a casino mentality when the bell rings and will go all in. But there is no way he can he handle Manny’s punch variety and angles. Book this one.
6. Nonito Donaire vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux
I love this fight- but I don’t think Donaire’s people feel the same. I think of this fight like an evenly matched lightsabre battle between a Jedi and a Sith (I guess Rigo’s the dark side lol). Donaire is a finished product and a complete gem- but so is Rigondeaux. We deserve to see Donaire win a fight for the ages.
7. Floyd Mayweather vs. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez
Mayweather has remained the sport’s top fighter based not on merit- but on the overall look of his incredible skill set. But he is a largely inactive fighter who has beaten no one Alvarez can’t destroy over the last 5 years. Boxing- and Mayweather, needs this fight. Alvarez has everything that qualifies him for a superfight with “Money”, but he’ll probably turn it down. It might have something to do with him being left face down.
8. Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Timothy Bradley
Last time we saw good ole Tim, he was in a wheelchair trying to explain his loss of a win over Manny Pacquiao. If Marquez was smart (and he is) he would take his wife’s advice and ride off into the sunset after his once in a lifetime shocker. He won’t. This is a great fight and a bloody affair, but father time hates being cheated.
9. Danny Garcia vs. Lucas Matthysse
Lucas can’t do anything but offer theatre with popcorn. He can’t help it, and Garcia is just the ticket for him. A relentless, pressure cooker of a fighter with underrated skills, he would run right into the skill and precision of Garcia. That is until he went through him.
10. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Austin Trout
Fresh off a win over the really worn out Cotto, Trout has bigger fish to fry and wants a money fight. Chavez Jr. represents both. Assuming he’s done with weed and the munchies (he should be fined for really walking around that rented house in Speedo’s eating cereal at midnight), he can restore things by stopping a game Trout in the late rounds.
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