Rematches, dream matches on this wish list
There are rematches and dream matches on this list of 50 fights that, in a just world, would be staged next year.
Well, 12 out of 50 ain't bad.
When a little more than 25 percent of your 50 "wish list" fights for any given year are either made or will take place before the bell tolls midnight on Dec. 31, I guess that's the best you can ask for in this sport.
Usually, boxing's best matchups never take place or become realities way past their sell-by dates. Those past-their-prime fights are generally uninteresting to all except the combatants' accountants.
My 2005 wish list included quixotic matchups between Diego Corrales and Jose Luis Castillo, Felix Trinidad and Winky Wright, and Arturo Gatti and Floyd Mayweather, all which came to fruition.
Still, other hoped-for bouts between Winky Wright and Kassim Ouma, Joe Calzaghe and Jeff Lacy, and Fernando Montiel and Martin Castillo faded away into clouds of speculation.
But 2006 is just around the corner.
Even though fights such as Vitali Klitschko-Hasim Rahman, Jeff Lacy-Scott Pemberton, Jermain Taylor-Bernard Hopkins and Audley Harrison-Danny Williams should keep us occupied as the holiday season approaches, there's no harm in starting to hope for great fights for next year.
Here is what at least one hopeless romantic would like to see in the coming year. Call it an early Christmas list to Santa, and if I repeat some fights from last year's list, hey, I still want to see 'em.
• 1. Chris Byrd vs. Wladimir Klitschko: "Steelhammer" is the IBF mandatory for Byrd, and what better way for Byrd to resuscitate his career than with a meaningful bout against the last man to beat him? As far as Klitschko is concerned, it's a chance to carry the momentum of his victory over Samuel Peter into a title fight and finally fulfill the promise bestowed on him years ago. Early pick: Byrd
• 2. Lamon Brewster vs. James Toney: Could be the best possible heavyweight matchup when it comes to pure action. Brewster would make Toney fight, and "Lights Out" is at his best when he's in the pocket dodging incoming haymakers. Early pick: Pick 'em
• 3. Calvin Brock vs. Samuel Peter: The two best young(ish) heavyweights in the world battle it out for the next title shot. Brock proved against Jameel McCline that he's got heart and is resilient; Peter did the same against Wladimir Klitschko. So who's the better fighter? Early pick: Brock
• 4. Vitali Klitschko vs. Nicolay Valuev: Just for freak show value alone, it would be interesting to see Klitschko react against that rarest of rarities: a fighter who is bigger than he is. But then again, one shot on the chin and the European giant could find himself on the floor against Klitschko, rendering such questions moot. Early pick: Klitschko
• 5. Shannon Briggs vs. David Tua: They've gotten their most recent pay-per-view victories out of the way, so now it's time for their promoter, Cedric Kushner, to cash out on one of them and put these two together. Both are charismatic punchers who can end a fight with a single blow, and the winner would emerge with one last title shot in hand, so there would be enough on the line to make the bout worthwhile for the fighters and the fans. Early pick: Briggs
• 6. Steve Cunningham vs. David Haye (a returnee from last year): The future of the cruiserweight class go one-on-one as Philly's unbeaten Cunningham battles British banger Haye, who has shown a sometimes reckless willingness to ramp up his level of competition. Could be explosive while it lasts. Early pick: Cunningham
• 7. Johnny Nelson vs. Enzo Maccarinelli: The U.K.'s two best cruisers duel. Big deal, you might say. But this raises the question: Could the ageless Nelson pull off yet another victory against a hard-hitting banger in Maccarinelli? Hey, maybe we'll get lucky and get a "ShoBox" airing for this bout. Early pick: Nelson
• 8. O'Neil Bell vs. Dale Brown II: With Bell's recent life-and-death title defense against unheralded Sebastiaan Rothmann forecasting a short reign, this is the bout that makes the most sense for "The Supernova." Plus, no one deserves another shot at the title more than Brown, who many feel was robbed in his first bout against Bell. Early pick: Bell
• 9. Antonio Tarver vs. Glen Johnson III: Tarver appeared to leave no doubt as to who the better fighter was between these two after his clear-cut second victory over "The Road Warrior." But Johnson's impressive return against George Jones, coupled with Tarver's less-than-scintillating performance in the rubber match against Roy Jones Jr. makes this fight compelling once again. Early pick: Johnson
• 10. Jones Jr. vs. Clinton Woods: He can't beat Tarver or Johnson again, so if his Royness insists on fighting again, why not match him up again with Woods to either see how far he's fallen, or watch him perform some magic one last time. Early pick: Jones
• 11. Tarver vs. Joe Calzaghe: Take anything Calzaghe says with a grain of salt; even though he's calling out Tarver, don't expect it to happen. It would be a nice matchup of two of the best fighters in the world. Early pick: Tarver
• 12. Lacy vs. Calzaghe (a returnee from last year): A natural matchup, especially given that both fighters are televised under the Showtime banner. Again though, Calzaghe's reluctance to engage in meaningful fights has put this bout (which should be taking place next week) in limbo. Early pick: Lacy
• 13. Lacy vs. Mikkel Kessler: Lacy versus anyone is a good fight, but with Kessler's rep gaining steam with each passing victory, this bout could truly be a pairing of the two best 168-pounders on the planet. Early pick: Lacy
• 14. Danny Green vs. Scott Pemberton: Regardless of what happens in his title bout with Lacy next week, Pemberton is a made-for-TV fighter and people always will pay to see action. A fight against Australia's Green is guaranteed fireworks. Early pick: Green
• 15. Lacy vs. Jermain Taylor: Hey, stranger things have happened, and what better way to end 2006 than with a matchup of these 2000 Olympic teammates? Could be the start of a bee-yoo-tiful series between two of the sport's best young fighters. Early pick: Lacy
• 16. Taylor vs. Kingsley Ikeke: Sure, it might not be aesthetically pleasing, but Ikeke has earned his shot at the title, and it would be interesting to see how Taylor deals with the freakishly tall (6-foot-4) "Sharp Knuckle." Early pick: Pick 'em
• 17. Felix Sturm vs. Kelly Pavlik: Another fight not likely to happen, but it would be nice to see a true middleweight contender emerge from this battle between the banger (Pavlik) and the boxer (Sturm). Early pick: Sturm
• 18. Winky Wright vs. Anybody: Name an intriguing matchup for Winky that actually has a snowball's chance in hell of happening. Didn't think so. No fighter with any sense willingly will battle Wright, so my hope for the former junior middleweight champ is that he gets some fight, any fight, that can help increase his profile as one of boxing's best.
• 19. Curtis Stevens vs. John Duddy: My guilty pleasure fight. Two New York knockout artists clash in a bout destined not to reach the final round. Get Stevens down to 160 from 168, and let's demand it. This could be the fight to end all fights and it is required to be held in the Big Apple. Early pick: Stevens
• 20. Jaidon Codrington vs. Marco Antonio Rubio: "The Don" is on the fast track to a title, so he probably will be matched tough in 2006. Mexican banger Rubio provides a nice bout that steps up the comp for Codrington. If Rubio survives the first round, he might also test this "Chin Checker's" chin. Early pick: Codrington
• 21. Ouma vs. Ricardo Mayorga: Pure action between the two marquee names at 154. What better way for Ouma to regain his stature than with a 12-round beatdown of Mayorga? Early pick: Ouma
• 22. Mayorga vs. Mosley (a returnee from last year): How would this fight not be a toe-to-toe duel from rounds 1 to 12 (or less)? Could be the fight to rejuvenate Mosley's career. Early pick: Mosley
• 23. Mosley vs. Fernando Vargas: See above, and thankfully, Dan Rafael of ESPN.com is reporting that this bout is in the works for next year. Early pick: Mosley
• 24. Antonio Margarito vs. Zab Judah: Yeah, good luck. No one wants to fight Margarito, but if Judah makes it halfway through 2006 without a major bout, Zab might just throw all caution to the wind and put it on the line against the Mexican warrior. The real winners will be the fans. Early pick: Judah
• 25. Judah vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr.: They have been talking a good game, trashing each other at any opportunity, but will they get in the ring and do it for real? If they do, it would be a matchup of speed and flash, with the winner emerging as boxing's best, pound-for-pound. Early pick: Mayweather
• 26. Joel Julio vs. Luis Collazo: Is Julio as good as he has looked so far? Only time will tell, and what better way to move him into the big leagues than against the underrated WBA champ, Collazo? Early pick: Julio
• 27. Margarito vs. Joshua Clottey: Might not be the highest profile bout for Margarito, but the hard-nosed Clottey will fight him, and that's good news for fight fans. Early pick: Margarito
• 28. Arturo Gatti vs. Kermit Cintron: Gatti would be in too deep with Judah and/or Margarito, so if "Thunder" wants to make a nice payday at 147 after his fight with Thomas Damgaard in January, how about a clash with "The Killer," who could reestablish himself in the game if he could beat the veteran brawler? Early pick: Gatti
• 29. Ricky Hatton vs. Junior Witter (a returnee from last year): Call me crazy, but before Hatton comes to the States, I want to see him take care of business on his side of the pond first. Witter is not the same fighter who stunk out the place against Judah four years ago, and he is neck-and-neck with Hatton as far as the top 140-pounders in the U.K. go. This is a natural matchup and one that could galvanize the winner's career. Early pick: Hatton
• 30. Miguel Cotto vs. Juan Urango: A rematch of an amateur bout won by Urango, it could be another brawl, with the hard-punching Urango charging in on the equally explosive Cotto. Don't leave your seat for this one. Early pick: Cotto
• 31. Cotto vs. Hatton: A natural matchup of the two best 140-pounders not named Floyd Mayweather Jr. The winner would have the confidence to challenge "Pretty Boy Floyd" later in the year. Early pick: Cotto
• 32. Cotto vs. Jose Luis Castillo: If Cotto abandons 140 pounds, this is the perfect going-away present for junior welterweight aficionados. Another inevitable brawl, the question is whether Cotto's shaky chin could withstand Castillo's blows, which may be even more potent at 140. Early pick: Castillo
• 33. Mayweather Jr. vs. Vivian Harris: With no one beating down the door to face the pound-for-pound king, Mayweather can stay busy and give the fans an entertaining fight if he takes on the always-dangerous Harris, who needs a career makeover in the worst way. Early pick: Mayweather
• 34. Paul Malignaggi vs. Mike Arnaoutis (a returnee from last year): These two 140-pound prospects don't like each other, so what better way to settle their differences than in a battle of the unbeatens? This type of fight can make or break careers, and you know both would be coming to battle. Early pick: Malignaggi
• 35. Malignaggi vs. Dmitriy Salita: A nice New York matchup between two local 140-pounders with huge local followings. The only thing holding this up would be the brittle hands of Malignaggi. Early pick: Malignaggi
• 36. Jesus Chavez vs. Acelino Freitas: If Freitas has any desire to get back to the top of the lightweight division, there's no better place to start than here. But could his bombs dent the chin of the relentless Chavez? I don't think so. Early pick: Chavez
• 37. Nate Campbell vs. Joel Casamayor II: Campbell rejuvenated his career with a victory over Almazbek "Kid Diamond" Raiymkulov, and Casamayor's somewhat disputed draw with the same Kid Diamond proved that he can still hang among the big boys at 135. So a rematch of their close, close bout (won by Casamayor) is worth -- at the very least -- a slot on a major pay-per-view undercard. Early pick: Casamayor
• 38. Juan Diaz vs. Raiymkulov: Kid Diamond's stock plummeted with his loss to Campbell, but another couple of victories and he'll be back in the title picture. A battle of attrition against "The Baby Bull" would be the most attractive option for fight fans. Early pick: Raiymkulov
• 39. Marco Antonio Barrera vs. Erik Morales IV (a returnee from last year): Fight III was great, Fight IV would be better. No need to explain the desirability of this matchup. Early pick: Barrera
• 40. Vicente Mosquera vs. Jorge Rodrigo Barrios: Both are fairly unknown here in the States, but those who have seen both fight will tell you that a matchup between these two 130-pound titlists would be a brawl. Early pick: Barrios
• 41. Manny Pacquiao vs. Barrera II (a returnee from last year): A huge fight in any instance, but even bigger if Pac-Man gets by Morales in their rematch. Was Barrera's bludgeoning at the hands of Pacquiao an off-night, especially given his performances since then, or does the Philippine brawler really have Barrera's number? You'd have to fork over some pay-per-view dollars to find out. Early pick: Barrera
• 42. Scott Harrison vs. Joan Guzman: Harrison's last stand at featherweight, and Guzman's coming out party at 126. Two of boxing's best lower weight fighters square off, and this one is not likely to go 12. Early pick: Guzman
• 43. Rocky Juarez vs. Robert Guerrero (a returnee from last year): Probably won't happen with "The Ghost" on the fast track to a title shot and Juarez looking to rebuild from the first loss of his career in 2005. Both are also managed by Shelly Finkel, making this an even less likely matchup. It would be a nice clash of styles, though, as the top two featherweight prospects in the world square off. Early pick: Guerrero
• 44. Daniel Ponce De Leon vs. Tim Austin: Ponce De Leon is looking to win his first world title Saturday, and Austin is making a comeback at 122. Would be a nice contrast between the classic boxer in Austin and the unorthodox banger in De Leon. Does Timmy have one great fight left in him though? Early pick: Ponce De Leon
• 45. Rafael Marquez vs. Jhonny Gonzalez (a returnee from last year): This could be a matchup of the best bantamweight in the world against the top challenger (and possibly a fellow champion if Gonzalez wins his bout against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin this Saturday). Marquez is probably a step above everyone else at 118 pounds, but a bout against Gonzalez is bound to produce fireworks. Rafael also has to get by tough Silence Mabuza next week to keep his reign intact. Early pick: Marquez
• 46. Martin Castillo vs. Montiel (a returnee from last year): Two of the sport's best technicians in an All-Mexico battle that could wind up being a smaller version of Barrera-Morales. Early pick: Pick 'em
• 47. Luis Perez vs. Jose Navarro: At the beginning of 2005, Navarro was the talk of the boxing world after he was robbed against Katsushige Kawashima in Japan. Two quiet wins followed, but no one is talking about the former Olympian anymore. A fight with aggressive Luis Perez could change that and also get Navarro a title in the process. Early pick: Pick 'em
• 48. Brian Viloria vs. Vic Darchinyan (a returnee from last year): "The Hawaiian Punch" against "The Raging Bull" sounds like a cartoon, but these two flyweights get it on for real. This might be one of the few 112-pound fights that could appeal to the non-diehard. Early pick: Viloria
• 49. Jorge Arce vs. Viloria: Here's another 112-pound brawl that could bring in the non-boxing fans. Arce is always entertaining, and Viloria is improving with each fight. If Viloria wants to become the Michael Carbajal of this era, he has to get by Arce to do it. Early pick: Pick 'em
• 50. Arce vs. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam: Why? I just want to see it, that's why. This fight can't help but be exciting, and the winner emerges as the top flyweight in the world. Early pick: Arce.
