BoxRec

Southpaw Stylist wrote:Sergio Martinez is a lot more classy than Joe Calzaghe.

bennie wrote:Here's a wish list of 10 fights that would ensure 2004 at least equals and likely surpasses 2003 in the eyes of boxing fans:

Lennox Lewis-Vitali Klitschko II: Their June bout demonstrated Klitschko has the heart and skills to stand up to the heavyweight division's best. Now it'll be up to Lewis - who has fought a mere 14 rounds in the past two years - to prove that at 38 he still hungers for greatness. Otherwise, move on and move out.

Floyd Mayweather-Kostya Tszyu: The latter's upcoming title fight against Sharmba Mitchell also is plenty intriguing, considering how close their initial bout was nearly three years ago. The flashy Mayweather wants to try his abundant talents at several divisions, and Tszyu would give him a stern test at junior welter.

Shane Mosley-Ricardo Mayorga: The smokin' Nicaraguan's star might have dimmed a bit after his close loss to Cory Spinks, and in fact, Mosley now will focus on a March 13 bout against Winky Wright. A more appealing matchup, though, would pit Mosley against Mayorga, who still carries tremendous power and charisma.

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez: The hyperactive Filipino inherited the title of world's best featherweight after dismantling Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao would get a chance to confirm that status, as well as add some belts, by taking on WBA and IBF champion Marquez.

Roy Jones-Mike Tyson: This one's a guilty pleasure. Sure, Tyson is shot, and he's now more accomplished as a plaintiff - he's suing King for $100 million - than as a fighter. But he still has some aura and punching power left, and Jones remains one of the sport's foremost practitioners.

Fernando Vargas vs Bernard hopkins:Vargas has not been the same since taking a beating from Felix Trinidad in December 2000. Still, he always gives fans their money's worth, and Hopkins, soon to be 39, has to slow down sometime.

Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad II: Tito finally has acknowledged he's considering a comeback, and the only way to remove the sour taste left by their first encounter would be to put on a show in a rematch.

Niguel Cotto-Kostya Tszyu: It won't happen, because Cotto's ascension up the ranks is being choreographed carefully by Top Rank. But tough opponents, not hype, are what make legends.

Joel Casamayor-Diego Corrales: The rematch of their rumble of October, won by Casamayor, is set for March 6. Expect flurries of punches.

Roy Jones-James ToneyII: From a marquee perspective, not as enticing as Jones- Tyson, but probably a better fight. The former super middleweight antagonists would meet as heavyweights.


By Jorge L. Ortiz

lirva33 wrote:

bennie wrote:Here's a wish list of 10 fights that would ensure 2004 at least equals and likely surpasses 2003 in the eyes of boxing fans:

Lennox Lewis-Vitali Klitschko II: Their June bout demonstrated Klitschko has the heart and skills to stand up to the heavyweight division's best. Now it'll be up to Lewis - who has fought a mere 14 rounds in the past two years - to prove that at 38 he still hungers for greatness. Otherwise, move on and move out.

Floyd Mayweather-Kostya Tszyu: The latter's upcoming title fight against Sharmba Mitchell also is plenty intriguing, considering how close their initial bout was nearly three years ago. The flashy Mayweather wants to try his abundant talents at several divisions, and Tszyu would give him a stern test at junior welter.

Shane Mosley-Ricardo Mayorga: The smokin' Nicaraguan's star might have dimmed a bit after his close loss to Cory Spinks, and in fact, Mosley now will focus on a March 13 bout against Winky Wright. A more appealing matchup, though, would pit Mosley against Mayorga, who still carries tremendous power and charisma.

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez: The hyperactive Filipino inherited the title of world's best featherweight after dismantling Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao would get a chance to confirm that status, as well as add some belts, by taking on WBA and IBF champion Marquez.

Roy Jones-Mike Tyson: This one's a guilty pleasure. Sure, Tyson is shot, and he's now more accomplished as a plaintiff - he's suing King for $100 million - than as a fighter. But he still has some aura and punching power left, and Jones remains one of the sport's foremost practitioners.

Fernando Vargas vs Bernard hopkins:Vargas has not been the same since taking a beating from Felix Trinidad in December 2000. Still, he always gives fans their money's worth, and Hopkins, soon to be 39, has to slow down sometime.

Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad II: Tito finally has acknowledged he's considering a comeback, and the only way to remove the sour taste left by their first encounter would be to put on a show in a rematch.

Niguel Cotto-Kostya Tszyu: It won't happen, because Cotto's ascension up the ranks is being choreographed carefully by Top Rank. But tough opponents, not hype, are what make legends.

Joel Casamayor-Diego Corrales: The rematch of their rumble of October, won by Casamayor, is set for March 6. Expect flurries of punches.

Roy Jones-James ToneyII: From a marquee perspective, not as enticing as Jones- Tyson, but probably a better fight. The former super middleweight antagonists would meet as heavyweights.


By Jorge L. Ortiz

Interesting, I was just reading through the forums (I should be studying) and came across this.


Lewis - Klitschko 2... No
Floyd Mayweather-Kostya Tszyu: No
Shane Mosley-Ricardo Mayorga: No
Roy Jones-Mike Tyson: No
Fernando Vargas vs Bernard hopkins: No
Oscar De La Hoya-Felix Trinidad II: No
Niguel Cotto-Kostya Tszyu: No
Roy Jones-James ToneyII: No

Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez: Yes
Joel Casamayor-Diego Corrales: Yes

The only two fights that happened were Pac-Marquez and Casamayor-Corrales.

Kilburn wrote:I'm trying to think who'd I'd really like to see Tito in there with. I can only really come up with Shane Mosley at the moment. Both coming off good performances. Decent clash of styles.

glittermonkey wrote:Christ, there's loads of decent possible fights for Tito, aside from the obvious Hopkins, Wright, or De La Hoya matches. What about Margarito? I think that could be a potential classic.

Kilburn wrote:

glittermonkey wrote:Christ, there's loads of decent possible fights for Tito, aside from the obvious Hopkins, Wright, or De La Hoya matches. What about Margarito? I think that could be a potential classic.

Fights with Hopkins, De La Hoya and Wright would all be big of course but genuinely exciting? I prefer to watch Tito in there with a fellow puncher myself. Margarito would be good but he doesn't quite pull the trigger quick enough to make it a classic war.

lirva33 wrote:

Kilburn wrote:

glittermonkey wrote:Christ, there's loads of decent possible fights for Tito, aside from the obvious Hopkins, Wright, or De La Hoya matches. What about Margarito? I think that could be a potential classic.

Fights with Hopkins, De La Hoya and Wright would all be big of course but genuinely exciting? I prefer to watch Tito in there with a fellow puncher myself. Margarito would be good but he doesn't quite pull the trigger quick enough to make it a classic war.

Agreed, Tito Mosley would be good but Mosley would have to move up to 160. He has the beating of Tito IMO it would be real close, but Hopkins would beat him.

jamesmcdonnell wrote:I think Tito compares rather well with Thomas Hearns, not the same level of boxing ability, but he's a technically excellent puncher and similarly has a shaky beard. Tito's career isn't over yet either and he did better against Hopkins than Thomas did against Hagler. Tito should have lost to DLH

I think Tito v Hearns would have been a 50-50, Thomas was so tight at the weight and was always going to be on shaky ground against a big hitter.

THEBUTCH wrote:No way does Tito-Mosley equate to Hearns v Duran or will it should it happen.

You will be extraordinarily hard pushed to find a performance to surpass Hearns that night. For me it doesn't get any better.

Mosely's speed COULD be a factor, but not one I'd strongly hold on to (and yes if it's a middleweight, forget it).