In the next 12 months.... Matthew Macklin, EBU Middleweight champ - ranked top ten by the WBC and WBO, if he beats Pirog in the next fight he could be in line for a world title fight before the end of 2010. Ryan Rhodes, EBU Lightmiddleweight champ - beat Jamie Moore in a WBC eliminator, he should get the chance to face Martinez next year Paul Smith, British Supermiddleweight champ - ranked number 4 by the WBO - could be steered towards a WBO title shot. Kevin Mitchell, Super Featherweight - currently ranked highly by 3 of the alphabets at superfeather, should be guided to a world title shot at superfeather or lightweight in 2010 Ricky Burns, Superfeatherweight - a high WBO ranking may get him the chance to fight Roman Martinez Rendall Munroe, Superbantamweight - final WBC eliminator against Maludrottu this month could see him earn a shot at Nishioka Which of these fighters has the best chance of winning their world title fight?
I would give Macklin a great chance against both Sylvester and Sturm though Sylvester is the 'easier' fight. If Martinez beats P Will and then vacates then Rhodes could beat Chavez Jr. for the vacant title. Santos-Foreman for the WBA tonight and Rhodes could also face the winner of that. Smith is not world class IMO Mitchell has no chance at LW and says he can't make SFW I'm still not convinces with Martinez and Burns has looked good lately. Give Ricky a good chance in that fight. Nishioka looks good and Rendall hasn't shown he's true world class yet. The Maludrottu fight will tell us a lot.
munroe to me is world level and has been for some time. wonder if the dayglow jackets will go to Japan (does the BBBofC have an embargo on japanese fighters or somthing like that?) or Vegas though. rhodes is a good fighter but looked very hitable in his last fight only his incredible shot placement got him out of it. a live fighter i think he could win a belt but not be aroudn for long. like someone said in another thread. paul smith possibly could nab a title before all of them. he is a well managed, well supported, and will get a fight against a beatable opponant while the main men of 168 are in a round robin. yah semme?
Macklin is in a weak division but Pavlik would demolish him as would Williams. Id like to see Rhodes pull it out and think he has an equal chance like Macklin. Dont bet on us getting any new world champions in 2010 though!
complete opposite to me. forgive me. but i agree burns looks solid, and martinez looks more flash and agression than a true champion. that belt flaters him if anything. burns could snatch it from him. it's clear smith doesnt have the class and technique, looking very ponderous. but like i stated while the lionhearts have gone to war, he can be the king john.
