I have a big wish list here so
I am going to list the fighters in order of preference as a fan who I would
like to see Tszyu face next. I'm also taking into account that Kostya Tszyu
refuses to call out specific fighters due to respect.
1.) Arturo Gatti
A Tszyu-Gatti showdown has been long over due for 4 or 5
years now. I know Tszyu wants this fight more than any other at this point in
time but is too polite and respectful to call Gatti out publicly. The time is
now right for this match up to be made, both fighters are hot at the same time
and providing Gatti beats Leija in January (as he should), both fighters
management teams should start negotiations. The biggest problem facing the
realization of this match is that Tszyu is a Showtime fighter and Gatti is an
HBO fighter. I don't think Gatti is afraid of Tszyu but I do think his
management team and HBO are, as they don't want their golden goose slain by a
rival network's best fighter. Gatti was Tszyu's preferred opponent for January
2002 but Gatti and his team were more interested in facing the less dangerous
Micky Ward for good money, so I can't blame them for taking that option.
Previously I had read that Gatti said that Tszyu was not a draw card and that
all he had was all the belts. Well Arturo, after all the exposure
Tszyu was given leading to and after his bout with Mitchell has changed all of
that. Tszyu is the undisputed ruler of the 140 pound division and just because
they took away his WBC & WBA belts doesn't change a thing as those belts were
not lost in the ring. Tszyu will bring Gatti a big money bout if he puts his
hand up.
I predict that Tszyu would stop Gatti in 5 action packed rounds that would
rival Hagler-Hearns in entertainment value.
A genuine plea to HBO & Showtime: "Make this fight become a reality and
give the fans what they want!"
2.) Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
A Tszyu-Mayweather Jnr. bout is the toughest fight out there for both men
whether they are campaigning at 140 or 147 pounds. With Mayweather's career
having stalled recently and suffering from lack of direction, a Tszyu fight
could be very attractive to Floyd Jnr. I believe Floyd's HBO contract has
expired or is yet to be renewed or just plain not happening. If HBO is still a
controlling influence on Mayweather Jnr then there could be issues making this
fight. On the other hand if there are problems with HBO for Mayweather,
Showtime could provide him an attractive opportunity.
I see Floyd giving Tszyu problems early and then like most other opponents
of Tszyu, his game plan goes out the window first time he is hit with a flush
punch. Mayweather appear to have a good chin in the lighter divisions but
DeMarcus Corley (a man I watched Tszyu punch from pillar to post for 6 rounds
in sparring January this year whilst Tszyu was only fighting in first gear)
hurt Floyd in their bout... It leaves a big question mark on whether he can
handle Tszyu's power. One the flip side, Floyd is fast and mobile, he could
pose problems with his fast right hand but if he could not stop Corley he will
be unlikely to stop Tszyu as Kostya has a better chin & defense than Corley
and Tszyu will be firing back punches
Floyd has yet to see in the ring. Tszyu wins by late round stoppage or a
bloody points decision if he can reproduce this weekend's form against
Mayweather.
3.) Corey Spinks
This is probably the most likely big name bout to be made for Kostya Tszyu
next. Don King (Spinks' promoter) and Vlad Wharton (Tszyu's promoter) have
worked on several occasions before with Don's fighters always coming out worse
for wear after fighting Kostya. Add to this that Spinks really wants to face
Tszyu and things are looking pretty good for this bout to happen. Add to this
that Don could probably sneak a clause in for Tszyu to face Zab Judah in a big
money rematch should he defeat Spinks.
Based on recent performances I don't think Tszyu would have any problems
with Spinks. Tszyu has stopped every southpaw he has faced in his professional
career and when you consider Spinks' last two bouts with Miguel Angel Gonzalez
and Zab Judah and compare the results you have to wonder what Spinks can do to
keep Tszyu off him. Tszyu stopped Judah & Gonzalez in devastating fashion
where as Spinks defeated both men on points. Also Gonzalez hit him with more
right hand punches in the first two rounds of their bout than Miguel managed
to land on Kostya for 10 rounds and Spinks is supposed to be a defensive
wizard??? In addition Judah brought his power up from 140 pounds and dropped
Spinks and had him hurt in the 12th round, if Judah can hurt Spinks, Kostya
can. If Gonzalez, one of the slowest punches to hold a world title that I have
seen can land the right hand on Spinks, Tszyu won't have any problems finding
a home for his signature punch.
Corey really doesn't have the power or skills to keep Kostya Tszyu off
him, but like Sharmba Mitchell, I expect Spinks to willingly take this bout in
the belief that Tszyu is one dimensional and that Corey's own ability will be
enough to tame the Russian powerhouse. WRONG! I'd expect Tszyu to score a
stoppage on Spinks around the 8th round if he finds the same as this weekend.
4.) Ricky Hatton
Ricky Hatton has been one of the first to put his hand up to face Kostya
Tszyu and he is willing to come out of Manchester and Britain to get this
bout! A bout with Hatton is probably the easiest big name opponent for
Tszyu to face next. Hatton I feel is a deserving challenger, but I can't see
him lasting any more than five rounds if Tszyu is in good form and I think I'm
being generous here. Hatton won't be able to outbox or out brawl Tszyu,
Ricky's best chance is to come forward and work the body in hope of a miracle.
Frank Warren is probably soiling himself at the thought of having to put one
of his biggest meal tickets in with a monster like Tszyu. I can just see Frank
on the phone right now with Emanuel Steward in an attempt tolure Vivian
Harris back to Manchester.
Tszyu stops Hatton in 5 rounds as we see Hatton's big heart keep him going
to take an unnecessarily huge beating.
5.) Miguel Cotto
I would have thought that Cotto's handlers and promoter (Bob Arum) would
want to keep who I -and a lot of others feel is the future of the division-
away from Kostya Tszyu but apparently Bob Arum is set to offer Tszyu a large
sum of money to face Cotto if a quote in The Arizona Republic is accurate.
Arum was quoted "I will make it very attractive for the winner." I'm assuming
he said this before the weekend's massacre, I wonder if he has changed his
tune at all?
Tszyu-Cotto would be a very good fight to watch and probably the second
most difficult opponent (behind Mayweather) on this list for Tszyu to fight.
Cotto has great offensive and defensive skills, perhaps the best defensive
skills in the division. However, Cotto can be hit, Lovemore Ndou showed us
that and if Ndou can find Cotto's chins, Tszyu will have no problems finding
it either. To date Cotto has been developed and matched extremely well, a bout
with Tszyu could ruin his future. Tszyu has given career ruining beatings to
Jake Rodriguez, Hugo Pineda, Jan Bergman and Miguel Angel Gonzalez. None of
these fighters were the same after they were brutalized by Tszyu. I think
Mitchell won't ever be the same again either but that remains to be seen.
Cotto has yet to face anyone who comes close to testing him like Tszyu
will, perhaps his bout with Lovemore Ndou has been his biggest test and
learning experience to date. A properly timed Tszyu right hand punch that
lands flush can change the outcome of a fight, I have seen this through his
entire career and it was no different this weekend just gone. The punch lands
and the opponent is rocked and the expression on the face says it all: "What
in the world just hit me and where did it come from?" I'm sure Cotto would
give Tszyu a hard time but I think Tszyu will take Cotto's punches better than
Cotto will take Tszyu's.
Think hard Bob Arum, if Cotto takes this fight I see him putting up an
exceptionally brave performance on route to being stopped in the 11th round
and poor Cotto never being the same fighter again. Don't do this, keep him for
the future.
6.) Vivian Harris
Well anyone who saw the telecast knows this man wants to be next. He's not
really a world champion in my opinion as he did not beat Kostya Tszyu in the
ring for the WBA strap he wears, no disrespect here as you were not given the
opportunity. Vivian Harris has DEFINITELY earned the opportunity to face
Kostya Tszyu. Vivian has defeated Hurtado, M'Baye (only just) and Urkal twice
and in my opinion is the WBA No.1 contender and a very deserving one at that.
Harris is the closest fighter in the division to Vince Phillips as he is tall
and has a long, fast right hand cross, the punch Tszyu appears to be most
vulnerable to being hit with. Unfortunately for Vivian, Kostya has learned
from his mistakes and it will be unlikely for us to see him in the ring as
unprepared as he was against Phillips.
On the Australian telecast of Tszyu-Mitchell II, Vivian Harris was brought
into the ring to challenge Kostya Tszyu and Harris' body language was
portraying intimidation towards Tszyu. It was apparent that Harris is much
taller than Tszyu. I could see that Harris did not know whether he should be
acting polite or rudely calling Tszyu out. When Kostya greeted him pleasantly
he did not know how to react, also Tszyu either did not notice, didn't care or
was not phased by Harris trying to intimidate him physically. Tszyu has just
won the first round mentally should these two ever fight.
A word of advice to Emanuel Steward & Vivian Harris... If Tszyu's people
offer you a bout in Australia or Russia, take it as it may be your only
opportunity because as deserving of shot at Tszyu as you are Vivian Harris,
you are pretty low down on the food chain when it comes drawing power. If you
can beat Mayweather Jnr. your marketability improves.
If this fight happens, I see Harris starting hard and having some success
due to his height & fast right hand cross but eventually being worn down for a
10th round TKO.
7.) Zab Judah
This is a distinct possibility if Tszyu takes a bout with Corey Spinks and
wins the undisputed Welterweight title. It would be a way for Don King to make
a few extra bucks for sacrificing Spinks to Tszyu. I'm sure Judah would love a
rematch with Tszyu because he has the belief he still would have beaten Kostya
had the ref not stopped the fight. Just like Sharmba Mitchell, Judah doesn't
know good fortune when he has been blessed with it. Tszyu was very sharp in
his first bout with Zab, Tszyu was even sharper against Mitchell. Judah has
better head movement than Mitchell but a more fragile chin and I don't think
Zab could avoid being hit by Tszyu for 12 rounds. You need to remember that
Tszyu's left hook is back into play as a major weapon. Some advice to Zab
Judah... Be very careful what you wish for here.
I see a Tszyu-Judah rematch lasting a bit longer because Zab will fight
very carefully. Tszyu by TKO in four rounds.
8.) Oscar De la Hoya
A very, very long shot indeed of this match up happening. Oscar took the
easier options during his brief stop off at 140 pounds by fighting the slower
and less dangerous Julio Cesar Chavez & Miguel Angel Gonzalez, it didn't help
matters that Tszyu was badly stopped by Vince Phillips around this time
either. This fight is a possibility if Tszyu moves up to 147 pounds but very
unlikely. I won't give a prediction here because I know De la Hoya won't come
down in weight to face someone who probably hits as hard as Bernard Hopkins.
9.) Shane Mosley
This is a possibility if Mosley loses again to Winky Wright although
Mosley's marketability would have dropped substantially. It would be very
competitive even though Mosley has lost a lot of punching power and speed of
late. There are a few whispers going around what the reasons are for this...
Even though Mosley's abilities have decayed recently, he might feel the
skills and power he has left may be better served at 147 pounds and if Tszyu
faces and defeats Corey Spinks, who knows.
If this bout does occur it will be interesting as both men have a tendency
to be hit with straight right hands. Again I won't make a prediction here
other than to say if this bout does happen, don't be surprised if Mosley is
stopped for the first time in his career.
10.) Lovemore Ndou
Another deserving challenger as the man will take on any opponent and at
short notice. He gave Mitchell and Cotto all they could handle on the way to
very respectable points losses to both men. However, just like Vivian Harris,
Lovemore Ndou is TOO far down the food chain concerning putting bums on seats.
Lovemore, it would probably be a good idea if you stopped challenging Kostya
Tszyu and focused your efforts on trying to get a match against Vivian Harris.
I read that the promoters are thinking of putting it on in the undercard of
Gatti-Leija. Why not pursue this angle? You have a better chance of securing
this bout. Also there is a potential opportunity for a rematch with Miguel
Cotto.
If Tszyu has to fight anyone other than the fighters listed here it will
be such a big shame. The exception might be if Diego Corrales or Acelino
Freitas moved up in weight and I think that would be unlikely.
