- A subjective X-Mas wish list for 2008 -

If You could ask for just one fight per division for 2008, what fight would that be?

Here’s my wish list, its subjective, not always the best or the most well known against each other but something I would like to see very much. And um... more than one per division.

HW: Povetkin vs. Haye. You know, Klitschko is by far the best but his jabbing contests are not too exciting until that right hand that finishes the opponent. While Povetkin is the best prospect in years, Haye has already proved himself in CW. Both men have skills, speed, heart and the most important: power. That would be a nice fight.
Other fights: Solis vs. Gomez – very skilled Cubans against each other. Dimitrenko vs. Peter skill vs. power, could be a very exciting match-up.

CW: Haye vs. Alexeev. In a year, Alexeev will be a world champion, but if Haye leaves, he could find himself in a less exciting division. I saw Alexeev live and I saw him delivering the most brutal body punch ever. Young and exciting as Haye, has crazy power and skills, it’s a great match-up.
Other fights: Haye-Maccarinelli – why not? Huck-Arslan – that would be interesting.

LHW: Hopkins-Calzaghe. As of now, it’s looking good for april/may, comment not needed.
Other fights: Dawson vs. Erdei: new very skilled champ against lineal champ, somebody’s O… Green vs. Woods – not the brightest skills but a pretty even matchup.

SMW: Bute vs. Kessler – it’s world class power and world class skills, they’re the future of the post-Calzaghe era. That would be a great fight.
Other fights: Bika vs. Miranda. Wow, FOTY. Calzaghe vs. Pavlik. Speed vs. Power.

MW: Pavlik vs. Abraham – The ONLY MW fight that matters today. Pavlik: pretty underrated skills, good jab, crazy power. Abraham: the defense of Wright, the power of Miranda, the accuracy of Kessler and the heart of Pavlik. Would be a brutal fight.
Other fights: Wright vs. Taylor and Sturm vs. Griffin rematches. Duddy vs. Lee.

LMW: Forrest vs. De La Hoya. Why? Why not?
Other fights: Wright vs. De La Hoya. Wright’s still P4P, if Oscar wants a big name... Forrest vs. Mayorga III. Why not?

WW: Mayweather Cotto in a boxing match. MMA? C’mon Floyd! Still got business here.
Other fights: Cotto-Williams – best match-up in an off-Mayweather year. De La Hoya vs. Mosley III. It DOES make sense – that’s a great rivalry and it has controversy written all over it. With their close losses to Floyd and Miguel, in 2008 it’s still pretty actual. Of course, not too many chances...

LWW: Malignaggi-Hatton. Speed vs. pressure. Hatton is still the king in 140 but Malignaggi is coming. Very interesting match-up.
Other fights: Hatton-Witter: maybe there’s no American interest or big money in that but it still has to be made. Torres-Ortiz – could be FOTY.

LW: J. Diaz vs. Katsidis without electric (c)hair King. Needs no explanation.
Other fights: Pacquiao-J. Diaz. It HAS to be made. Katsidis vs. Khan. Somebody would be murdered.

SFW: with Marquez-PacMan is made, I would like to see Valero-Guzman. Later maybe PacMan-Guzman, John-Marquez II, Valero-Pacman… so many choices...

FW: Linares-Gamboa. Okay, a little bit early, but I just can’t wait on this. Two of future P4P-ers, skill, speed, power, everything. If I could ask for just one fight in any division, that would be it.
Other fights: John-Linares – the best against the newcomer. Guerrero-Gamboa – very interesting.

BW/SBW: Vazquez-Marquez II – and it’s gonna happen, thank God.
Others: Vazquez-De Leon, Caballero-De Leon II (okay, this could be a mismatch), Gonzalez-Mares.

FW/SFW: Donaire-Mijares. Maybe the most significant fight between the smallest men. You gotta love the little guys!
Other fights: Darchinyan-Arce. Naito-Donaire for the true FW championship. Naito-K. Kameda (it’s like Ali vs. Frazier for the Japanese)

SW/JFW: Calderon-Solis. And it’s looking good for the first half of ’08 which is a very good thing.
Other fights: Calderon-Cazares – Casares deserves a rematch. Nietes-Condes. The Philippines would be amazed in an all-philippino unification.


Whell those are my picks per division. What are Yours?

Merry Christmas Everyone!

 

I agree. Even if Taylor loses Kessler-Taylor would be good too.

 

Well, just a minute after Solis' lates fight a big name or a title is looking a bit too early for 2008. Solis got the tools for big things but he needs more PRO experience. Lot more, and he needs even more pounds to loose. The footwork of his amateur fights are gone...

Anyways... what is YOUR wishlist for 2008?