By Sergio Martinez
 
With so many changes in the “top-tier” of the sport, there are some very intriguing, and potentially explosive match-ups that the “Boxing Gods” must grant us in order for our beloved sport to not only satisfy its current junkies, but turn many of the current “casual fans” into hardcore fanatics. Here is my list of fights that must happen before the end of our current fistic year.
 
Hugo Cazares (WBO Light Flyweight Champion) vs. Brian Viloria (WBC Light Flyweight Champion)
 
After his recent workman like win over “El Jaguar,” Jose Antonio Aguirre, WBC champion Brian Viloria has been talking about moving up to 112-pounds to face the current WBC Interim Flyweight champion Jorge “Travieso” Arce. Now, as much as I would love to see that, as both of these pugs are aggressive high contact punchers, the fact is that Viloria still has some business left at 108-pounds. Although Brian is the recognizable fighter at the weight, Mexican Hugo Cazares is a true threat to the “Hawaiian Punch’s” reign, as he is a pressurizing, heavy handed fighter with a sturdy chin. Add to that the fact that Cazares is an underrated boxer who possesses the style to not only be competitive against Viloria, but win and we have us a great tilt at 108-pounds. The biggest “roadblock” to this contest is that Viloria is a Top Rank fighter while Cazares is a Golden Boy Promotion’s battler. If by some miracle this fight is to be made, boxing fans around the globe would be in for a treat as both of these “small” boxers fight with a ton of ferocity.
 
Jorge “Travieso” Arce (WBC Interim Flyweight Champion) vs. Martin “El Gallito” Castillo (WBA Jr. Bantamweight Champion)
 
With Jorge Arce’s now found fame and immense popularity, he has really become a draw at the lower weights and everyone from 108-to-118-pounds, seems to have this tough and rugged little man on their minds. Arce possesses fast, heavy hands, a solid chin, and a come forward, mauling all-out body attack that guarantees “fan-friendly” fights every time. Combine that with Martin Castillo’s beautiful boxing style and you have a classic in the making. Also, in his last fight against former champion Alexander Munoz, “El Gallito” showed that he is truly a “Mexican monster” as he stood toe-to-toe with the bigger Munoz and traded some heavy leather, with his eyes bleeding from head butts. It was the kind of performance that raises any fighters stock and made a potential fight between these two Mexican badasses a must see before the year ends.
 
Rafael Marquez (IBF Bantamweight Champion) vs. Martin “El Gallito” Castillo WBA Jr. Bantamweight Champion)
 
Should the Castillo-Arce fight not take place, there is always the potential that the current 115-pound marvel can move up to 118-pounds and face who is possibly the most destructive puncher in the business in Rafael Marquez. This match-up, like the Arce-Castillo fight, would be the quintessential pure boxer vs. pure puncher. There is that “X-Factor” in that Marquez has dramatically improved his boxing aptitude as of late and has almost looked unbeatable. This would be a fight with many momentum changes, and I suspect one that if it is fought in the center of the ring, Castillo would have the advantage, but on the ropes it might be lights out! The biggest problem in making this fight is that Marquez has complained a lot about straining to make weight and a possible move up to 122-pounds is a very real possibility.
 
Rafael Marquez (IBF Bantamweight Champion) vs. Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez (WBC/IBF Super Bantamweight Champion)
 
In order for the current 118-pound kingpin to conquer the Super Bantamweight division, Marquez would have to dethrone current 122-pound unified boss Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez, which is easier said than done. Not much more than one year ago, Vazquez was considered a “shot” fighter who had seen his best days after shaky title defenses. When it was announced that he would be facing Oscar “Chololo” Larios, the WBC 122-pound champion, it was considered that “Magnifico” was simply trying to cash out before he was kicked out. How wrong we were! Vasquez, looking in pristine shape, floored the tough and sturdy chinned Larios in the first round and opened a cut over one of “Chololo’s” eyes. The fight would be halted in the fourth stanza because of the cut, but Vasquez seemed well on his way to victory as he was completely dominating Larios with a beautiful combination of power shots and footwork. This win made him the man in the division and a fight with devastating puncher Rafael Marquez is sure to be a barn burner.
 
Scott “Real McCoy” Harrison (WB0 Featherweight Champion) vs. Joan “El Pequeno Tyson” Guzman
 
The great news is that this fight is already scheduled to happen on May 20, 2006 and should be one to watch. Harrison is a brute at the weight as he usually comes into featherweight fights weighing 140-pounds and has an all-action, relentless punching style that is sure to please the public. He is not a one-punch knockout artist, but does throw a lot of leather, wearing opponents down with brutal head and body shots. He also has very little defense and tends to walk in without any head or body movement so tends to get hit a lot. In Guzman’s case, they don’t call him “El Pequeno Tyson” (Little Tyson) for nothing as, not only does he resemble the former heavyweight puncher in looks, but also has his own set of very fast and heavy hands. Joan does have boxing ability but often prefers to slug it out with his opponents. Neither of these pugs is going to back down from a fight so the fans are in for a war of attrition when these two meet in May of this year.
 
Be on the lookout for part two of my list as you definitely want to see what fights should be made between the 130-to-the-154-pound divisions.