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Pacquiao's strong year, Williams-Pavlik match-up, substantiate these 2009 projections
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As we enter the fourth quarter of 2009, it isn’t too soon to review the boxing wish list I issued nine months ago. Maybe I didn’t predict that Andre Ward would be fighting Mikkel Kessler this year, but I think I deserve a B-minus. And if Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather sign for a 2010 bout before 2009 is up, I’ll deserve an A-minus.
1. Pacquiao-Mayweather: The most important fight of the year is proving to be Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto (aided by Cotto’s upgrade when his 2008 loss to Antonio Margarito proved subsequently to be tainted). Although there has been more discussion of Pacquiao-Mayweather than the Cotto fight at hand, the Nov. 14 affair has the makings of a historic occasion, especially in light of rumors that Manny has more distractions to deal with than usual.
2. Nonito Donaire-Fernando Montiel: A big disappointment this year is that Nonito Donaire still hasn’t been able to score a fight worthy of his growing stature. Montiel’s move to bantamweight makes it more likely he will fight Gerry Penalosa than Donaire. Which would you rather fight these days?
3. Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton: Well, that one actually took place May 2, and Pacquiao’s two-round victory was one of the most satisfying short fights since Hagler-Hearns 24 years earlier.
4. Kelly Pavlik-Paul Williams: It stood to reason Williams would be campaigning at 160 pounds by now, and if he can stand in there with Pavlik on Dec. 5, Williams will be looked upon as a fabulous middleweight instead of a freakish welterweight.
5. David Haye-Cristobal Arreola: OK, it was Vitali Klitschko instead of Haye, but Arreola attracted one of HBO’s biggest audiences of the year and put on a valiant performance in his intriguing one-sided loss to the older Klitschko brother. Arreola-Haye remains an appealing possibility for 2010.
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