MUST HAVE FIGHTS FOR 2009
With 2008 coming to a close, I’m sitting here thinking back to all the great fights that 2008 had to offer. We got to see Joe Calzaghe and his high punch output against a man that can give any fighter in the world fitts, Bernard Hopkins. Speaking of Hopkins, we also got to see the cagey veteran give the hard punching Kelly Pavlik the boxing lesson of his life.
Just when we thought we found a guy that can beat the Punisher, as Carlos Quintana early in the year did when he beat the Punisher Paul Williams with clever movement and sneaky rights, the Punisher then avenged his loss and blasted Quintana out in one round.
We also got to see the greatest trilogy in boxing history, the 3rd war between the slugger, Israel Vazquez versus the technician, Rafael Marquez. The war went back and forth with Vazquez finally being able to outlast Marquez.
We also saw Manny Pacquiao win a too close to call nod over Juan Manuel Marquez, then we saw Pacquiao in a flawless performance destroy David Diaz. Then last week, Manny ended the year with a huge exclamation point when he made Oscar De La Hoya quit on his stool in a brutal 8 round fight.
We also got to see Nate Campbell out work and out hustle the baby bull, Juan Diaz. The best fight of 2008 for me was definitely when Antonio Margarito broke the heart and will of the human wreckingball, Miguel Cotto.
2008 was a great boxing year for me, here are a few fights that are at the top of my wish list for 2009.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.- Past versus present. Floyd was the best pound for pound fighter in the world up until the day he retired. Today with the massacre that Pacquiao laid on Oscar, Pacquiao is now recognized as the best fighter in the world. Other than Pacquiao, what other fighter in the world is worthy enough to wake up the sleeping prince? I for one feel that Margarito and Paul Williams are 2 dangerous monsters that Floyd would rather pass on. Pacquiao is a monster himself, but one that Floyd will wake up for and tap dance against.
Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton- If Floyd stays sleeping, this fight will most likely be made. A battle between the 2 most popular fighters in the world. It’s a can’t miss at the box office.
Israel Vazquez vs. Juan Manuel Lopez- Would Vazquez be able to walk down the versatile Lopez? Is the young Lopez ready for the seasoned Vazquez?
Robert Guerrero vs. Jorge Linares- As of late Guerrero has been a ‘’Ghost'’, missing in action. Linares just 2 weeks ago made a comeback after being missing for 11 months himself. A fight between these two has fireworks written all over it.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Juan Diaz- The baby bull needs a big win to get back to the top, at 135 there is no name bigger than Marquez at the present time.
Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Edwin Valero- Marquez would love to get another crack at Pacquiao, but with the Pac-Man’s last performance, I doubt that Pac-Man will ever return to 135. So why not face the next big thing, knock out artist Edwin Valero?
Ricky Hatton vs Timothy Bradley- If the fight with Pacquiao can not be made, no other fight at 140 is bigger than this. Can Bradley be the first to defeat Hatton at 140?
Victor Ortiz vs. Devon Alexander- To those of you new to the sport, you may be asking, Victor who? and Devon who? To the hardcore boxing fans this is a minature version of a Oscar De La Hoya/Floyd Mayweather Jr. clash.
Joshua Clottey vs. Andre Berto- Berto wants to be the man at 147, what better way to reach that goal than by facing one of the most avoided men in the division?
Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto II- I f you saw the first war between these two, then you can understand why I would want to see these two go at it again.
Sergio Martinez vs Paul Williams- Will the speed of Martinez be enough to frustrate the Punisher? Only one way to find out.
James Kirkland vs. Alfredo Angulo- Is Kirkland the second coming of Ruben ‘’Hurricane'’ Carter? Or is he a wanna be? If anyone can find the answers, it’s Angulo.
Kelly Pavlik vs. Arthur Abraham- Power meets power. After the lesson that Hopkins conducted on Pavlik, will Pavlik ever be the same?
Mikkel Kessler vs. Lucian Bute- What could be better than two stand up fighters going at it?
Joe Calzaghe vs. Chad Dawson- Will the young speedy Dawson be the one to bring Calzaghe’s winning streak to an end?
David Haye vs. Chris Arreola- David Haye wants to bring excitement back to the heavyweight division, to do that he must face and beat the man many consider the Antonio Margarito of the heavyweight division.
Posted by: Albert Alvarez