After I made a previous thread with my prediction on how the fights will go over the next few years, I decided to make a new analysis in light of the news that there will be a tournament for Wladimir's mandatory. This is good news to me as it will give Wladimir far more time to seal a unification match. If a unification does not happen in this big window of opportunity then it will NEVER happen as i don't think Wladimir wants to hang around for 5 plus years. Also of course this all takes into account no one gets injuried or pulls stunts in courts to make their road to glory easier. But for the sake of argument we'll assume the next 2 years rolls along reasonably smoothly. (wishful thinking I know but let me dream ) 2007 OCTOBER Chagaev vs. Ibragimov (For making unification MUCH more likely, I hope Sultan wins as Warrior Promotions is showing their willingness to match all their fighters in big fights despite the odds). NOVEMBER Wlad vs. Sanders (Revenge for worst defeat plus Sanders is not as old as Holyfield and also has won his comeback fights and thrown off the ring rust by going a 10 round UD in last fight). Bryd vs. Povetkin (Round 1 of Eliminator) Povetkin by UD is my prediction. Brock vs. Chambers (Round 1 of Eliminator) Chambers by UD is my prediction. 2008 MARCH Chag/Ibrag vs. Holyfield (I feel a combination of Holyfield's money, household name, and winning streak will mean the WBO will sanction this fight as the Mandatory. This is what Holyfield would be looking for too as if he wins he can technically retire as the "unified champ" despite not facing The Man in the division. And against Chag/Ibrag he has more chance of surviving without a hellacious beating due to his advanced age. Holyfield will try everything in his power to get this done). Wlad vs. Rahman or someone else in the top ten or with a name. (Rahman would be most likely, as he would have had another fight by then and presumably a win. Also will be in better shape as he knows he will have one last shot at a belt and big money). Povetkin vs. Chambers (Wlad then has until March 2009 to defend his title verses winner) Povetkin wins via UD/MD/SD JULY TO NOVEMBER PERIOD Wlad vs. Chag/Ibrag (Unified champ by middle/late 2008) Meanwhile... Vitali beats McCline and fights Oleg or Peter in early/middle 2008. Vitali wins the belt then defends against Oliver McCall for two reasons. To prove that he can defend his belt against a Mandatory, and the personal interest to him in beating the guy who beat Lewis. Admittedly a win over McCall at this stage wouldn't be that good, but definately a okay-ish Mandatory. By end of 2008 Wlad will be WBA/IBF/WBO Unified Champ while his brother will be the WBC champ. Vitali will then retire after fighting his Mandatory McCall. In 2009 Wlad fights Mandatory (Povetkin/Chambers) in March, while Peter fights for the vacant WBC title verses someone. Peter wins belt, then either defends against fighters tailored to his style Don King Style OR they decide to throw him in against Wladimir again for a complete ABC belt unification. The pressure will be on Peter's camp to do so but I am not sure if they will desire a rematch. Sounds good huh? :hey
