FIGHTS WE'D MOST LIKE TO SEE: A LOOK AT
THE BEST POSSIBLE BOUTS IN EACH DIVISION
By Tom Dickey
After seeing two mega fights in a three week span, Boxing fans
were treated to Boxing at its highest level. Hopefully more big fight cards are
forthcoming. Here's a look at what I think would be the best fights in each weight
division, from Heavyweight down to Bantamweight.
Heavyweight Division Dream Fight: James
Toney vs Vitali Klitschko.
Klitschko is considered the best heavyweight right now, and Toney has shown
that he is one of the better skilled heavyweights. These two are considered
the two best heavyweights.
Who would win: Probably Klitschko, just because of his size. Klitschko is huge
and can punch. This is not Jirov or Rydell Booker, Klitschko can really punch,
and even though Toney has displayed a great chin, it
has not been tested by a large heavyweight. But, Toney is a good and skilled
enough fighter to where it is not out of the question for him to win this
fight. It would be interesting to see.
Honorable Mention: James Toney vs Chris
Byrd and Klitschko vs Klitschko.
A fight between
Toney and Byrd would pit two of the best boxers in the division. Klitschko vs
Klitschko is a fight of intrigue, but it has been stated over and over that it
would never occur, as the brothers promised their mother that they
would never fight each other.
Cruiserweight Division Dream Fight
- O'Neil Bell vs Wayne Braithwaite
This is not the most intriguing division, and probably never will be. But,
Bell is a guy who can punch, and Braithwaite is a solid champion who can fight.
Who would win: It's a pick 'em fight.
Light Heavyweight Division Dream Fight - Antonio Tarver vs Bernard
Hopkins
This fight would take a middle ground for weights, but it is the best possible
fight for both fighters who are coming off huge wins. Hopkins has cleaned out
his division, and his best possible big money fight is
with Tarver.
Who would win: I made the mistake of going against Hopkins once, and I would
not do it again. As long as the weight is not an issue, I'm sure Bernard would
find a way to win, just maybe not by a liver shot.
Honorable Mention: Tarver vs Glencoffe Johnson, Julio Gonzalez vs Elvir
Muriqi
The two guys who beat Roy Jones square off, as Johnson is on a roll. Johnson
is a fun fighter to watch, and could make a fight with Tarver an exciting one.
Johnson is probably the best remaining Light Heavy out
there for Tarver. Gonzalez vs Muriqi would be a war between two exciting
fighters, with a coming forward style that is always fun to watch.
Super Middleweight Division Dream Fight - Jeff Lacy vs Joe Calzaghe
Lacy is on a roll, and now holds a world title belt. If Calzaghe would fight
him, this would have the potential to be an explosive fight between two big
punchers.
Honorable Mention: Antwon Echols vs Jeff Lacy, Scott Pemberton vs
Echols, Danny Green vs Scott Pemberton
Middleweight Division Dream Fight - Bernard Hopkins vs Felix Trinidad
Trinidad looked impressive against Mayorga, and is
he stronger, and is Hopkins older. These would be big
questions if a rematch were ever made. This would be
the best chance for big money for Hopkins at 160.
Honorable Mention - Bernard Hopkins vs Jermain Taylor, Hopkins vs Felix Sturm, Jermain Taylor vs Kingsley Ikeke
Hopkins has little left to do in this division,
and appears as if he will defend his title once again
against Sturm. Taylor may be the future of the
division, and Ikeke is a good looking Canadian
prospect.
Jr. Middleweight Division Dream Fight - Winky Wright vs Oscar de la Hoya
Erase Oscar's fight at 160, he has proven he can
fight with anyone at 154. This would be a good
tactical fight, one that would be very close. Tough
one to pick with a lot of good possibilities at this
division.
Honorable Mention - Fernando Vargas vs Ricardo Mayorga, Kassim Ouma vs Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley vs
Fernando Vargas
Could anyone imagine Vargas-Mayorga. Mayorga has
said that he will retire, but so did Trinidad. This
would be an all out war with two gutsy warriors. Ouma and
Margarito are two of the younger exciting prospects and Mosley is still a
factor in this weight class as well.
Welterweight Division Dream Fight -
Kermit Cintron vs Cory Spinks
The classis boxer versus puncher in a division
that has been sucked up by the 154 pound division.
Cintron is a big punching prospect against Spinks who
has little power.
Honorable mention - Spinks vs Vernon Forrest, Margarito vs Spinks, Ishe Smith vs Cintron
If Vernon Forrest stays in this division he could be a
factor. Margarito suffered a loss at 154, and if he
were to go back to welterweight could be a major player.
Ishe Smith is another hard punching prospect in the
division.
Junior Welterweight Division Dream Fight - Floyd Mayweather or Arturo Gatti
vs Kostya Tsyzu
Gatti vs Tsyzu could be a war, as are many of
Gatti's fights. Mayweather vs Tsyzu would pit two of
the best pound for pound fighters against each other.
Either fight would be great for fight fans.
Honorable Mention - Ricky Hatton vs Miguel Cotto, Hatton vs Gatti, Cotto vs Tsyzu
Hatton and Cotto are hard punching prospects, and
could be the future of this division.
Lightweight
Division Dream Fight -
Jose Luis Castillo vs Diego
Corrales
The best of the division, between two guys who
rarely have bad fights. This would be a recipe for a
must see fight.
Honorable Mention - Julio Diaz vs Diego Corrales, Juan Diaz vs Corrales, Julio Diaz vs
Jose Luis Castillo, Juan Lazcano vs Juan or Julio Diaz
Junior Lightweight
Division Dream Fight -
Diego Corrales vs Erik Morales
Depending on whether Corrales stays in this
division, and whether Morales will come back to this
division. This fight would guarantee an all out slug
fest.
Honorable Mention - Corrales vs Joel Casamayor III, 3-K Battery Nanthachai vs Morales, Acelino Freitas vs Morales
Featherweight
Division Dream Fight - Erik Morales vs Marco Antonio
Barrera
Morales-Barrera III, enough said. Fortunately it
will happen in November.
Honorable Mention - Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel
Marquez, Rocky Juarez vs Barrera, Juarez vs Pacquiao
Jr. Featherweight Division Dream Fight - Israel Vazquez vs Oscar Larios
The first fight was an exciting fight in which
Larios won with a late KO. Both men are titleholders now, and a rematch would make sense.
Honorable Mention - Joan Guzman vs Larios or Vazquez
Bantamweight Division Dream Fight - Rafael Marquez vs Fernando
Montiel
This would be a interesting fight, featuring the crafty
boxing of Montiel versus the bruising power of
Marquez.
Honorable Mention - Marquez vs Cruz Carbajal
Both are good punchers, they would make for a very
entertaining fight.
Jr. Bantamweight Division Dream Fight - Ivan Hernandez vs Eric Morel
Honorable Mention - Hernandez vs Martin Castillo, Hernandez vs Jose Navarro
