By Jake Donovan

The New Year is upon us. Floyd Mayweather is still unbeaten, with a high profile knockout in December followed up by Fighter of the Year honors. Roy Jones Jr. reigns as boxing's most wanted from 168 to 175. Even unbeaten Joe Calzaghe wants a crack at His Royness.

Bernard Hopkins continues to battle the industry in his greatest efforts to keep his name in headlines. Felix Trinidad is playing the Garden. Oscar de la Hoya is making plans for a May showcase followed by a September Pay Per-View event. James Toney struggles to remain relevant. The heavyweight division remains without an undisputed champion, leaving some beyond-delusional fans to still hold out hope for Mike Tyson to make one last run at the crown.

Yes, 1998 was a hell of year, but here's to hoping 1999 is better.

Wait a minute—it's 2008?

After boxing enjoyed a much-needed revival in 2007, it appears the industry has reverted to old habits, where it's easier to recycle old talent, than start anew.

A regression was feared as early as November 2007, when handlers insisted that the show must go on Fernando Vargas' farewell fight against Ricardo Mayorga. The bout proved to be entertaining, and even ended the right way, with a bloated Vargas dropped twice en route to losing a decision to Mayorga, who scored his first win above junior middleweight and also ended an "0-for" streak in PPV main events.

Then came Roy Jones-Felix Trinidad. And the whores soon followed.

It wasn't enough that Jones managed to restore credibility in the twilight of his career. Instead, his name still dominates headlines and is attached to rumors involving every major player from 168-175. If he can get back down under 170, why not go all the way to 168, and possibly challenge Joe Calzaghe, Kelly Pavlik or Jermain Taylor.

And if Trinidad could last 12 rounds with Jones while fighting 10 pounds above his most ideal weight (at least these days), whose to say he can't still make some noise at middleweight? Never mind the fact that Winky Wright, the guy who jabbed Tito into retirement three years ago, is still hanging around the division, with his foray into the newly created 170 lb catchweight division a one-and-done deal. And he's not even the division's best fighter.

The aftermath of the fight justifies it being put together in the first place. Fair enough. But where are the stars of tomorrow that could've benefited from the additional exposure that comes with such a high profile card? Devon Alexander was the only up-and-coming fighter showcased on a card littered with ex-titlists and contenders who have little to no chance of making another successful run toward the top.

Instead of talking about a heavyweight matchup between two young undefeated prospects ready to break through the ranks, we're instead debating whether or not the Fountain of Youth actually exists. If Jones can look that good after being written off as shot, how close to his prime will Oscar de la Hoya appear should he get to fight three times this year?

Who's Chad Dawson? Not yet relevant, if you listen to those who insist that 42-year old Bernard Hopkins still rules the light heavyweight division. If modest-hitting Floyd Mayweather can chew and spit out previously unbeaten linear junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton, one of the best the UK had to offer, then why can't modest-hitting Hopkins do the same with presently unbeaten super middleweight king Joe Calzaghe? 

Undefeated welterweights Miguel Cotto and Paul Williams are clearly the biggest threats to the welterweight crown, presently being held captive by Floyd Mayweather. So why are we still insisting that Zab Judah is just one notable win away from being right back in the mix? I thought the concept of feeding him, and Shane Mosley, to Cotto last year was, out with the old and in with the new.

Instead of the winner of the upcoming Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez rematch taking on the next generation of stars at 130, we're not only now discussing the potential comebacks of Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales, but how they would fare if given one more crack at the top. As if Pacquiao didn't already whip on Morales in 2 out of 3. Or that Barrera isn't a combined 0-3 against the fellas throwing down on March 15.

Late last year, when Jones-Trinidad was first announced, those who anxiously awaited the fight insisted there was no harm in matching together a pair of golden oldies. Why would it affect the flow of the sport when everyone knew it would serve as little more than a one-off side show?

When Roy Jones is matched up with the winner of Bernard Hopkins-Joe Calzaghe, you'll have your answer.

Exploiting the occasional faded star has long been common practice for the sport, but more often than not for the purpose of creating a new star at their expense.

For boxing to continue to thrive and advance, we need to showcase and market new faces, not keep giving the old ones yet another face lift.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com and a voting member of the Boxing Writers Association of America.

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