By Dave Sholler
Family members have always told me that I am one of the most difficult people to buy gifts for during the holiday season. Much to their chagrin, when I see something I like, I buy it. Thus, my impulse buying creates some interesting gift dilemmas for those in the Sholler family. However, this year is unlike any other. For the 2007 holiday season, I do have a wish list. And I promise I haven’t bought anything on it yet.
This holiday season, I do not yearn for a Norelco electric razor, Nintendo Wii, or Dubs for my Chevy Tahoe. No, ladies and gentlemen, all I want for Christmas is another great year of boxing in 2008. Without further adieu, let me reveal what my stocking should be stuffed with on Tuesday morning. It’s clearly all about the Sweet Science for me this holiday.
All I want for Christmas is a Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Miguel Cotto fight at the end of 2008. Let’s face it: if Money Mayweather does look to defend his pound-for-pound status in 2008, Cotto is the logical opponent. Since the Puerto Rican star burst onto the scene, he has quelled the notion that he is one-dimensional and defensively impotent. In fact, he’s proved that he can box (see Shane Mosley fight) or slug (see Zab Judah fight), all while steadily improving his defensive game.
If Cotto plays his cards right, he should line up a fight with Oscar De La Hoya in the beginning of the new year and goad Floyd into a Fall 2008 classic. If the Golden Boy strays down another path, Cotto could look to Antonio Margarito or Joshua Clottey as great tests before challenging Mayweather.
All I want for Christmas is for Joe Calzaghe to step inside a ring with Bernard Hopkins. I’ll be honest: having covered B-Hop for quite some time in the Atlantic City market, I was taken aback by the derogatory comments he made toward Calzaghe before the Mayweather-Hatton fight. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised though. After all, this is the same fighter who threw down the Puerto Rican flag in the weeks leading up to his mega bout with Felix Trinidad.
With that said, Bernard knows how to push all the right buttons. Much like Mayweather against Hatton, Hopkins expects to play the role of villain if a bout with the superstar from Wales is made. Therefore, expect much more of the same from the Executioner in the months to come.
All I want for Christmas is a return to grace for Jermain Taylor. Even though he has never been a fighter I’ve liked to root for, Taylor’s God-given talent is hard to ignore. What’s not hard to ignore is his seemingly dwindling passion for training camp. In 2008, I’d love for him to give Kelly Pavlik another run for his money in hopes of setting up an unforgettable trilogy. Without Manny Steward in the picture, Jermain must regain his place in the sport or rethink his career choice.
All I want for Christmas is a Juan Diaz who is not held back by poor management. Boxers should never be held back by management disputes, period. Of all the fighters who did great things in 2007, I am most excited about the future of the “Baby Bull.” He fights every fight with a hunger that is hopefully never lost and seems destined for great things. Whether he fights Michael Katsidis, David Diaz, or eventually Manny Pacquiao, it is evident that Juan Diaz is on the cusp of stardom. Let’s pray that his management team doesn’t screw it up.
All I want for Christmas is for Evander Holyfield to celebrate the holidays by finally calling it a career. Like Jessica Simpson at a Cowboys game, there’s just no room inside the ring for “The Real Deal” anymore. Yes, we can all marvel at the things he’s done in his illustrious career, but enough is truly enough. He can still remain in the game in some capacity, but it must be beyond the ropes.
All I want for Christmas is for Chad Dawson to receive the one present he’s always wanted: a big-named opponent. There’s no better gift than the gift of giving and Chad would love to spread some holiday cheer via a straight left to Antonio Tarver’s face. Since the Tarver fight doesn’t seem likely and Glen Johnson hardly quenches Dawson’s thirst, could the real Christmas present be a drop to Super Middleweight? For the sake of the promise Dawson has shown at the 175-pound weight class, here’s to hoping one of the many future Hall of Fame light heavyweights accepts the challenge.
All I want for Christmas is for boxing’s two Andre’s to continue the climb in their respective weight classes. Super middleweight Andre Ward (14-0, 9 KOs) has been brought along slowly by his handlers and it has worked wonders. Even though he hasn’t faced many elite fighters in his young career, Ward has all the makings of crafty veteran. Ward makes opponents miss at will and his precision punching has paid dividends. Let’s hope he gets some quality opponents in 2008.
In a crowded welterweight division, Andre Berto (20-0, 17 KOs) could be poised for a breakout year in 2008. Scheduled to fight in early February, Berto’s gradual rise will depend on his ability to stay focused and motivated. At times, Berto showed recklessness in the ring, but his risk taking is something that the boxing faithful may learn to love. After all, Berto finds ways to win.
All I want for Christmas is an intriguing year of heavyweight fights. Unlike others, I am actually excited about many of the upcoming heavyweight bouts. In a division that lacks the pedigree we’ve all grown accustomed to, I’ve decided to embrace the Sultan Ibragimovs of the world instead of writing off the heavyweights altogether. Sure, we may never know which Sam Peter will show up or whether Hasim Rahman will ever get his groove back, but with potential studs like Alexander Povetkin lurking, it should be entertaining.
All I want for Christmas is for boxing executives to continue to find ways to showcase the sport on stations like Versus and ESPN2. The key for any sport’s longevity is continued exposure. While Pay-Per-View bouts are a great way to get the gang together on a Saturday night, the opportunity to influence new fans can be done on a smaller level, too. Plus, Versus and ESPN2 cards give young fighters an excellent chance to build names for themselves, not to mention gain valuable in-ring experience.
All in all, if only a few of these gifts appear under my Christmas tree, I’ll be happy. Thanks to a record-breaking 2007, impossible in boxing only applies to my wish for Holyfield’s retirement. With that said, whether you spend the weekend standing in long lines waiting for cool new electronics or searching helplessly for a gift for that special someone, take time to reflect on what a great year 2007 has been for the Sweet Science. In the end, if you can’t find that perfect gift for someone, just let him or her know that you’ll gladly buy the Mayweather-Cotto pay-per-view in 2008.
Dave Sholler serves as a Boxing/MMA analyst for sports radio stations in Atlantic City, NJ, Albuquerque, NM, and Corpus Christi, TX. His column runs weekly on BoxingScene.com. You can reach Sholler at shollerholla4@hotmail.com.