At 31 years old the IBF 200 lb champion seems to have just hit his prime. He is boxing better than ever in an MD win over Wlodarczyk in Poland, and a TKO over the "next big thing" Huck in Germany. I think he has earned the right to take on a few easy defences on home soil, perhaps in his home town, before taking on yet another major player. One thing is for sure: Steve has got to get back in the ring asap, and HBO and Showtime should definitely air his next fight, regarldess of the opponent. He's earned it the hard way. :good
winner of flores and ding ? bell cruisers very rarely get decent paydays which is why the cruiserweight division always seems to have more top 10 fighters willing to face each other than nearly any other weightclass as its the only way of getting decent money.
True. This is why it has been one of the top 3 most exciting divisions in boxing over the past 5 years, imo. Bell would surely be an HBO/showtime matchup, as would Ding, if he can take Flores out. Flores seems to be a darkhorse to me, he is undefeated but hasn't faced stiff comptetition as of yet. But these guys are fighting for mandatory status. Steve will not have to face any of them before January 2009 (one year after Huck). In the meantime he should get back in the ring and stay busy, imo. Btw, Bell is apparently on track to face Adamek in an IBF eliminator next! Check out my last thread: http://www.eastsideboxing.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1034013#post1034013
