Which Aussie fighter will have the best year in 2009?

[Marlin]

Vic would have to be the front runner having already beaten Jorge Arce and in line for another Title shot...

Katsidis has a couple of wins already against Angel Hugo Ramirez and Jesus Chavez and could be in line for a shot at Marquez...

Geale has the chance to beat Munide...

Who else?

Any thoughts?

[oliverfennell]

Katsidis, so long as he steers clear of Marquez. Or even if he does well in defeat (as with Casamayor), that can raise his profile.

I have a feeling Darchinyan might lose to Agbeko... you heard it here first! But if he doesn't, he's my pick for 2009.

I have long rated Mundine but he's been treading so much water for the last couple of years and can't even stop the scrubs he's been fighting, so I've lost any enthusiasm in his Stateside ambitions - even if they do come off (which they probably won't). He'd still beat Green in a rematch, though.

And are we forgetting Hoppa's "world title shot"? ;)

[Hounddawg]

Vic Darchinyan, will win the Batamweight world title, and then fight Vazquez at years end.

It all falls down to who Katsidis picks as his next opponent, if it's Marquez he'll be smashed from pillar to post by the veteran and his carreer will stall, if he fights one of the other winners from that excellent card recently, he has a chance at securing a world title late in the year.

Domestically Zappa should be cleaning out the local scene to launch an overseas campaign for next year.

[JSA]

Vic I would say. Geez OF- a big call re Agbeko. Not seen him myself but seems to be the definition of having a padded record.Are you thinking a KO or points win.

Katsidis - even if he does get JMM dont think his career will stall(unlike his brain function lifespan)due to the nature of the fighter he is. But-until he gets a new trainer think his career will be wins against the the fringe contenders,losses against the big boys.

[Liver Crusher]

DANIEL GEALE.

[alexpaterson]

I think Vic will win convincenly and prove hes a good fighter Katsidis will win if he gets any big fights would like to see him against a big named LW

[Hounddawg]

Vic I would say. Geez OF- a big call re Agbeko. Not seen him myself but seems to be the definition of having a padded record.Are you thinking a KO or points win.

Katsidis - even if he does get JMM dont think his career will stall(unlike his brain function lifespan)due to the nature of the fighter he is. But-until he gets a new trainer think his career will be wins against the the fringe contenders,losses against the big boys.

JMM is a killer, and he showed that against Casamayor and Diaz the 2 best in L/W, he just didn't beat them he handed them their first KO, Katsidis lost to both, i know it doesn't mean Katsidis will lose the same way but i would have a $1000 on it.
Katsidis needs to keep rebuilding at least for this year, momentum is important for boxers, and he now has 2 wins against opponents that wouldn't have lasted 3 rounds with JMM.
As usual Australian fighters fight the 46th best in a division then go straight for number 1, ballsy yes...but stupid.
If he loses to JMM that is 3 loss's out of 5 starts, i can't imagine too many title shots or his earning capacity to sky rocket from yet another loss.
Katsidis should look for a top 15 opponent, he can look to fight JMM down the track, but look to get a bigger win then Jesus Chavez.

[Brute]

From left field comes Sydney based light heavyweight Kerry Foley (11-0, 9KOs) who, according to today's Sun Herald is off to the USA on Tuesday with offers from promoters Golden Boy, Top Rank and Crown.

In spite of the fact that he has not fought in a match scheduled for more than 6 rounds, it is reported that Americans have been impressed by him based on a Youtube compilation of his fights. If Daniel Lane is to be believed, he has "generated a a level of interest in the United States not seen in an Australian boxer since Les Darcy". Foley is trained by Justin Foley.

His US debut is "expected to be on May 1 after stablemate John Hopoate's fight for the IBA Heavyweight title".

[Hounddawg]

From left field comes Sydney based light heavyweight Kerry Foley (11-0, 9KOs) who, according to today's Sun Herald is off to the USA on Tuesday with offers from promoters Golden Boy, Top Rank and Crown.

In spite of the fact that he has not fought in a match scheduled for more than 6 rounds, it is reported that Americans have been impressed by him based on a Youtube compilation of his fights. If Daniel Lane is to be believed, he has "generated a a level of interest in the United States not seen in an Australian boxer since Les Darcy". Foley is trained by Justin Foley.

His US debut is "expected to be on May 1 after stablemate John Hopoate's fight for the IBA Heavyweight title".

IN an article in January's fist magazine with Stuart Duncan, he was asked who he was interested in from Australia's talent, Foley was one that he was interested in and was talking about getting him to his US based gym this year, they are planning on running his record up and before years end could be at least a 18-0 boxer. he's 20, got a punch and talent, Who knows could be big.

[cace]

hard to go past vic, especially if he beats agbeko, but even if he loses hes win over arce will probably be better than anything any other aussie else will do this year

katsidis could go close, if he gets a crack at jmm and performs well, or even if he fights and beats 1 of the other big name lightweights

this should be a consolidation year for zappa, just fighting consistently at a decent level. going a few more hard rounds, gaining more experience.looking for a big one from him in 2010 or 2011

mundine as always, has the potential to have a great year if after he gets past geale, then he beats sturm and takes on pavlik or abraham, not likely to happen though given mundines track record

bika, meehan or pittman could all have very good years, if they get the opportunities and take full advantage of them

but i'd take very short odds, on vic having the best year from an aussie fighter

[amwsnw]

Daniel Dawson has moved to the US with a 4 fight contract. Will be interesting to see how his year evolves.

[cace]

Daniel Dawson has moved to the US with a 4 fight contract. Will be interesting to see how his year evolves.

i didnt know that, im a big dawson fan i hope he goes really well and can land a big fight

[Hounddawg]

That's great news, i was wondering when he was going to make the move, hope he does well.

[amwsnw]

the local news here in WA reported it was a four fight deal, the 4th being a title fight. They didnt eloborate. I believe through pretty reliable sources, he is looking at 2 years in the US and make decision after that whether to return or not.

[Hounddawg]

the local news here in WA reported it was a four fight deal, the 4th being a title fight. They didnt eloborate. I believe through pretty reliable sources, he is looking at 2 years in the US and make decision after that whether to return or not.

A lot to get excited about in Australian boxing at the moment, also of note De Mori fights in the states on April 24, no opponent yet but hoping it will be a good test.

[brocko]

Danny Green he will bash 3-4 bums and then Mundine will flogg him.

[toppity]

Katsidis, so long as he steers clear of Marquez. Or even if he does well in defeat (as with Casamayor), that can raise his profile.

I have a feeling Darchinyan might lose to Agbeko... you heard it here first! But if he doesn't, he's my pick for 2009.

I have long rated Mundine but he's been treading so much water for the last couple of years and can't even stop the scrubs he's been fighting, so I've lost any enthusiasm in his Stateside ambitions - even if they do come off (which they probably won't). He'd still beat Green in a rematch, though.

And are we forgetting Hoppa's "world title shot"? ;)

you must get serious splinters sitting on the fence like that

[oliverfennell]

Katsidis, so long as he steers clear of Marquez. Or even if he does well in defeat (as with Casamayor), that can raise his profile.

I have a feeling Darchinyan might lose to Agbeko... you heard it here first! But if he doesn't, he's my pick for 2009.

I have long rated Mundine but he's been treading so much water for the last couple of years and can't even stop the scrubs he's been fighting, so I've lost any enthusiasm in his Stateside ambitions - even if they do come off (which they probably won't). He'd still beat Green in a rematch, though.

And are we forgetting Hoppa's "world title shot"? ;)

you must get serious splinters sitting on the fence like that

Not really. It means I have my thoughts on that fight, but if I'm proven wrong, then Vic will have earned the distinction of Aussie boxer of 2009.

[JSA]

Like i said above OF interested on your thoughts on the fight especially re Agbeko. ANd if you had to pick his potential win would it be KO or points?!?!?!

[Sweet P]

Daniel Dawson has moved to the US with a 4 fight contract. Will be interesting to see how his year evolves.

Thats interesting, My brother seen him a few days ago at a restruant here in Perth 8) 8)

[gerry]

unanimous decision would go to vic with him already having a titleshot in a new weight division
mundine reason paul upham on 93.7 on monday nights show mentioned mundine was very close to deal with pavlik
are there any other fighters in australia that are close to title shot bika and katsidis are on the fringe
but if things pan out for him it could be the mouth mundine

[Marlin]

Mundine always talks it up but never follows through...

[oliverfennell]

Like i said above OF interested on your thoughts on the fight especially re Agbeko. ANd if you had to pick his potential win would it be KO or points?!?!?!

I think Darchinyan can be a bit careless and contrary to typical form, it is the sluggers rather than the boxers who can exploit this. Sluggers are not usually comfortable against boxers but Vic seems to be the exception, dominating the likes of Mijares and Kirilov recently. Meanwhile his only loss was to a puncher in Nonito Donaire, and it was a bad loss at that.

Agbeko meanwhile is teak-tough, great chin and strong. Will be hard to discourage, and can go 12 easily. If Darchinyan doesn't take this deadly seriously on the night, he could walk on to something big.

The potential Agbeko win will, however, be by KO. If he doesn't get the KO, I think Vic takes a close but unanimous decision.

[Hounddawg]

Vic Darchinyan, will win the Batamweight world title, and then fight Vazquez at years end.

It all falls down to who Katsidis picks as his next opponent, if it's Marquez he'll be smashed from pillar to post by the veteran and his carreer will stall, if he fights one of the other winners from that excellent card recently, he has a chance at securing a world title late in the year.

Domestically Zappa should be cleaning out the local scene to launch an overseas campaign for next year.

Geale if he shuts "mouth" up.

[oliverfennell]

I have a feeling Darchinyan might lose to Agbeko... you heard it here first!

I thank you, kind sirs ;)