The year 2014 is full of same-card-different-opponent bullshit match-ups. Two top fighters in the same division that suppose to fight each other, instead fight separate opponents in the same card. One example is the Danny Garcia-Rod Salka scrap. Boxing media criticized and rant about the match-up that ended as expected. Garcia blew Salka out in two rounds.
But 2015 promise something that we boxing fans should be happy about. Here are some interesting and relevant fights that await us in 2015.
Brandon Rios vs Mike Alvarado III
This is war! The first two encounter is a classic battle that I rate as the same level Gatti-Ward. Both men took each other's "O" in brutal fashion. On January 24 at 1st Bank Center in Broomfield, Colorado Rios and Alvarado will do it again for the third time. The first two fights were about protecting their undefeated records. This time is about getting back to the winning side of the game. Both men are in a "must-win" situation. Although Rios (32-2-1, 23 KO's) won against Chaves in his last fight, but he's unhappy about his DQ victory. He is looking for a solid victory over Alvarado this time. Alvarado (34-3, 23 KO's) is win less in his last two fights and could not afford to lose also this time. I expect another war come 24th January.
Sergey Kovalev vs Jean Pascal
The light heavyweight division is not as deep as the welterweight with talent. But what I like is that the top contenders were more than willing to face fellow top contenders. That of course except Adonis Stevenson. He avoided Kovalev. He is recognize by the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board as the light heavyweight champion. Stevenson even jump over the fence of another network just to avoid Kovalev who is now TBRB's number one contender. I salute, Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KO's) and Hopkins though. "The Alien" despite his golden age has always desire to fight the best in his division. The same goes to Kovalev who wants only significant fights. As the result, Hopkins-Kovalev met up in the ring. Kovalev won. Now, the best available opponent for Kovalev by far is Jean Pascal (29-2-1, 17 KO's) who just is also considered one of the top 5 in this division. As a fight fan, we only want the best fighting the best.
Gennady Golovkin vs Martin Murray
Although this is not the fight I wanted for Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KO's) because I wanted him fight the best out there in the middleweight division. I wanted a fight between Golovkin and Cotto who is now the division king after stopping the lineal champion Sergio Martinez. But Martin Murray (29-1-1, 12 KO's) is another solid contender who ranks among the top five. So, this is another exciting fight to watch out in February 21, 2015 in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
Wladimir Klitschko vs Bryant Jennings
After a fan-friendly fight against Kobrat Pulev, Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 54 KO's) wants a fight in the States. And on April 25, 2015 in Brooklyn, New York, most probably at the Barclays Center for a yet to signed opponent. But Klitschko's team is in deep negotiation with undefeated contender Bryant Jennings (19-0, 10 KO's) that we will see result in a couple of days.
Miguel Cotto vs Saul Alvarez
Although this fight is not sealed yet, as Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KO's) said in various reports that "all is negotiations, and there is nothing definite at this point”, but this fight is basically what team Alvarez is pushing. Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KO's) needs a top marquee opponent in his quest to seize Cinco de Mayo fight date from Floyd Mayweather Jr., claiming that this date belongs to the Mexicans. Well, if there's no Floyd-Pac on May and if Cotto-Alvarez pushes through then my PPV money will be on Cotto-Alvarez.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Manny Pacquiao
I'm hesitant to include this possible but still unclear match-up that we, as fans have been talking about for years now. But as a fan what can I do. This is what I hope for. This is what I want to see. So, I'm still hopeful it will happen in 2015. And both Mayweather (47-0, 26 KO's) and Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KO's) camp are at least open and not lock in to fight any other opponent at this point. There seemed to be serious on going negotiations. But I'm still in doubt that this fight will happen, not until both showed up for a press conference announcing that they will officially fight each other.
Meanwhile here's what Bob Raissman of NY Daily News regarding mega-fight negotiations:
Those doing the business of boxing are consumed with winning the negotiation, screwing the other guy at all costs. The battle to negotiate a mega fight is bloodier than what happens inside the ring. -- BOB RAISSMAN, NY Daily news
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