I won't jump the gun on my opinion about his talent, because he hasn't fought anybody notable enough to say he's good or bad at this point. He clearly has talent, he's fast, good movement. He hits like a bitch and that's a big problem, We'll see how he does in the future. Prospects like this these days seem to take a long goddamn time before stepping up their competition so we probably won't know for sure for another couple of years.
5 Must See fights
I can't think of 50, but I at least have 5 on my mind. Rafael Marquez vs Jhonny Gonzalez would indeed be awesome. I'd love to see Castillo move up and fight either Cotto or Ricky Hatton. Lacy vs Calzaghe will be fun if Calzaghe doesn't pull out due to a broken pinky. Pac vs Barrera 2 is huge now and everyone would want to see that. Finally I'd like to see Jesus Chavez vs Jorge Barrios which would be a great fight between two evenly matched fighters, Chavez would probably win a UD.
And for the record, I don't deny his skills, I think he's a very talented Heavyweight fighter, sad for the division that a fat Middleweight can be one of the top dogs, but none the less. Good Heavyweight fighter, very talented in-fighter. Sharp defensive skills, Granite chin. Tough guy to beat.
Not likely, Tyson won the first round, and lost the next 3, so even in a 4 rounder Tyson would lose 3 rounds to 1 if he were able to win the first round again, but then again as he is now, if Lennox landed a stiff jab he may quit on his stool in between rounds.
I really just appreciate great fights, whether it's a decision or a knockout. But yes I agree knockouts are more memorable and they add more drama to a situation. Knockouts are fun, but I especially like them when they are hard earned and a guy has to be broken down before you stop him rather than just blasting him all at once, but hell I just love boxing period.
Lots of answers to this question, Vargas against Tito or DLH. Castillo in the first fight with Corrales. Morales in the rubber match with Barrera, Chi against Morales, Jesus Chavez against Morales, Frazier in the Thrilla, Bazooka Limon in the 1982 fight of the year with Bobby Chacon( my personal favorite fight). So many tough efforts like that, hard to pinpoint any one as THE BEST, but these are some that come to my mind.
Tarver is not exactly a joke, but I agree he's not what he claims, he doesn't seek challenges, and yes I would like to see him fight Bell because I think, Bell could knock him out. And for the record, somebody commented that Tarver would beat Mormeck because of Mormeck fading down the stretch? Hello have you watched Tarver over the last few years? He fades at the end a lot also.
Should this fight happen, I don't personally believe Larios has a very good chance, but I wouldn't count him out completely. He is a good fighter and deserves to be taken seriously as an opponent. Don't forget that Pac was at 122, years ago and started as a Flyweight, so he's not exactly a natural 130 either.
Well I don't personally think so, because both of these fighters have been mediocre and dull in their most recent efforts. I think it will probably have dissapointing sales, but may be a good fight particularly if Vargas attacks like he says he will.
I personally think staying busy is to a fighter's advantage, so I don't think this is exactly unfair. Keeping busy usually keeps you sharp and on top of your game, so this should only be good for Pacquiao by the time the 3rd fight rolls around, especially since I doubt he'll be in a war or anything like that.
You guys are right, Floyd vs Zab is the more important fight, but Mosley vs Vargas will sell better because the public is more familiar with those two names. I'm positive it's PPV sales will be better.
Briggs vs Tua
I am a considerable Tua fan, much more than Briggs definitely. I'd pick Tua by KO, if Tua loses this fight it is just a really bad loss on his record. The sad thing is that the winner of this fight may be in the title picture in the Heavyweight division. Whenever this is nothing more than a crossroads fight between 2 former contenders.
I don't believe this is accurate, because to my understanding. Jermain Taylor is supposed to be fighting Sam Soliman on April 15th and it's unlikely that he would fight Wright so quickly afterward.
Predictions on Heavyweight division 2006
I agree, that this Valuev guy is just another one of those European fighters who will stay at home and fight guys not on his level. I'd like to see Samuel Peter get back onto the scene, however since he lost to Wladimir he will probably be babied for the next year or so trying to get him back on track. Byrd vs Williamson was garbage, and I'd like to see anybody defeat Byrd so we never have to see crap like that again.
I figure Vitali will be back at some point this year or next year. His retirement seems to sudden to stick to me. Rahman vs Toney is interesting, I hope The Rock wins it, because I can't stand Toney. Always talking trash, and always fat. Hard to take seriously, though you can't deny his talent.
I heard Wlad may be fighting Byrd, and I believe Wladimir will defeat Byrd once again, and realize my dream of Byrd not being IBF champion anymore. I don't know. As you said it probably won't be as bad as last year, but I still expect a lackluster year for the most part from the big men.
Morales vs Pac 3
I'm a huge Morales fan, but I personally feel that Morales needs to go ahead with his "rest" that he suggested, and take it easy on the hard fights for a while. I think a rubbermatch is a bad idea for him to get into now, and I honestly don't believe he'd win although I'd be rooting for him all the way because he's one of my 3 favorite fighters.
Jose Luis Castillo is one of my 3 favorite fighters along with Erik Morales and Arturo Gatti, I rate these men in no particular order I admire them for the fact that you can bet, they're going to bring all they have every time out. In my view Reyes is in way over his head here. Reyes is a solid guy, but Castillo is just in a whole other league, I expect Castillo by KO anytime after round 6. Then we'll look forward to the rubbermatch which I also believe Castillo would win over Corrales. After that Castillo vs Hatton or Castillo vs Cotto either one is fine by me, they'd both be scorchers.
I'd go with Barrera by decision here, but I can definitely see Chavez pulling off the win as well, providing he's not adversely affected by the death of Johnson.
Maybe he can get back in the game with careful matchmaking, but he's just another shitty heavyweight mixed in with the other shitty heavyweights. Nothing to get excited about.
I personally think Rahman wins it, and my reasoning why, Rahman is a solid fighter, I don't argue that Toney is talented, but his being fat, and starting at Middleweight can't help him. His chin is solid, but he's never taken a punch like a clean Rahman right hand and I'm curious as to how he'll take it. Plus Rahman has legitimate boxing skills and I think he could possibly outbox him from a distance, note I don't think that Toney has no chance here, I just don't think he'll win. Rahman W12 is my pick. Though a KO wouldn't surprise me either.
P.S. I'd be shocked if Toney KO's Rahman
Yeah these local fighters get special treatment big time, but in the end this won't be a big impact, because nobody cares. Bullshit call though I agree.
Cotto KO 8
Malignaggi would give Cotto trouble for the first few opening rounds with his movement, but Cotto would be steadily coming in and getting in a few good bodyshots here and there. By the mid rounds, Malignaggi's movement will have slowed considerably and Cotto is landing lots of good shots. Malignaggi speed and quickness will vanish under the constant pressure of Cotto, and we'll be left with a guy who is forced to stand toe to toe with Cotto, and has no power to do so with. Cotto breaks him down to stop him around 8.