For anybody who has ever been a boxing fan. There one thing you always want to see in boxing is a great fight. We always want to see action. It may be even better if we see knockouts. I know sometimes that does not always work out that way, but as boxing fans, it is what we want to see.
Even though I am a fight fan, there is always that one dream that all of us as fight fans have. All fight fans would love to have the opportunity to be able to make the fights. Sometimes in our minds, we make better fights than the promoters, and are sometimes kicking the TV after watching fights that don't live up to the hype that was put in promoting.
With that in mind, I had some time to think about what I could consider a fight and I dream about and want to see as well. So with that in mind, I thought about fights that I would love too see in 2008.
1. Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1) vs Joe Calzaghe (44-0)
Joe Calzaghe has wanted to fight in America, however there has not really been a fight that has intrigued him enough to cross the pond. I honestly think that this is the only fight, and the only fighter that would be worth his time to fight in America. After Calzaghe unified the Super-Middleweight Championship by defeating Mikkel Kessler, the only logical fight for him after now wiping out the division is Hopkins. Both fighters are interested so maybe this fight can be made. Most of us are hoping so.
2. Manny Pacquiao (45-3-2) vs Juan Manuel Marquez (47-3-1)
This fight should have already happened at least two years ago after they fought to a draw in an epic contest in 2004, in which Marquez survived 3 knockdowns in the first round. Instead of taking a rematch, for some reason Marquez took and lost a fight in Indonesia for far less money that what could have been made in a rematch with Pacquiao. Marquez seems to have revitalized his career after wins against Marco Antonio Barrera, and against Rocky Juarez. Meanwhile, Pacquiao has only scored two knockout wins against Eric Morrales, and another win against Barrera. I think it is time for us to see the rematch that fight fans so desperately want and deserve to see.
3. Israel Vasquez (42-4) vs Rafael Marquez (37-4)
Fortunately for us fight fans, we will only have to wait until March 1, 2008 for Part III of boxing's newest rivalry. Both have knockout wins over the other in two fights that were classics. If the rubber match is able to match the intensity of the first two, the world will be in for a special night when these two fight again.
The first three fights might and will actually happen. As for Hopkins and Calzaghe, both fighters want this fight, so it will in all likelihood take place. As for Pacquiao and Marquez, at 130, that might be the only fight that we would want to see. And we are going to get Vasquez-Marquez III in March. The next set of fights I would want to see, however they are probably a long shot to happen.
4. Kelly Pavlik (32-0) vs Winky Wright (51-4-1)
There are some people who would want to see this fight because there are actually people who might actually think that Wright is the "uncrowned" Middleweight champion after his fight with Jermain Taylor in 2006. However this fight, in my opinion I think is a long shot to happen, especially if Taylor, whom was beaten by Pavlik in September, opts to exercise his rematch clause.
5. Manny Pacquiao (45-3-2) vs Edwin Valero (22-0)
Many people would like to see this fight, however there may be numerous obstacles that may effect this fight happening. The one certainty about this fight at the present time would be that if this fight is to happen, it will not take place in the United States, due to the fact that Valero is not cleared to fight in the United States. However, if we are able to get this fight to happen, wherever it may happen, it is sure to be an action fight seeing.
6. Oscar de la Hoya (38-5) vs Miguel Cotto (30-0)
I am a fight fan, and I would be very curious to see this fight, especially if The Golden Boy returns at welterweight for his next fight. I would be honest to say I would want to see this fight if Cotto would even take the fight at 154. I just want to see good fights, and depending on the focus of The Golden Boy, this could possibly be a better fight that his fight with Mayweather, which left me very disappointed as a fight fan. However, if Cotto does not beat Shane Mosley on November 10, then this fight would probably not take place.
7. Oscar De La Hoya (38-5) vs Ricky Hatton (43-0)
Provided that Hatton defeats Mayweather on December 8, and this is a big "if", in my opinion, this has the potential to be a bigger drawing fight than the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight. Call me crazy, but if Calzaghe and Kessler could put 50,000 people in Millennium Stadium in Wales, imagine how many people this fight could put in Old Trafford in Manchester, England, or worse, how many people this fight could draw in Wembley Stadium in London. However, this is a dream situation that can only be appealing if Hatton beats Mayweather, and if both parties were interested.
There are other situations that I would wish could happen in boxing, like for example, title fights going back to the networks. My other wish is that if Sugar Ray Leonard decides to do another season of The Contender, it has to be the Heavyweight division.
Most Americans who watch boxing, mostly are only going to watch a particular fighter, and the Heavyweights, and most Americans are waiting for the next great American Heavyweight champion. However, let me be honest, it's boxing, and I am going to watch anyway.
