No. 10: Paulie Malignaggi vs Edwin Valero
>> PHOTOS: Malignaggi vs Diaz II
New York-based Paulie Malignaggi (27-3) convincingly outboxed Houston's Juan "Baby Bull Diaz" (35-3) earlier this month, in their rematch. Diaz won a hotly contested first encounter in August 2009 at his hometown of Houston, a fight where Malignaggi cried foul regarding perceived bias from Texas-based judges. While there may be calls for a rubber match between the two, there is someone that I would rather have fast-talking Malignaggi face at junior welterweight. Rising star and Venezuelan Edwin Valero (26-0), who has a 100% KO ratio, defeated former Manny Pacquiao opponent Hector Velazquez (51-14-2) in December 2009. Let's pit the athletic boxer in Malignaggi against the KO punch artist in Valero. Can you see a young Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez fight all over again? We can!
6
votes
Buzz up!
No. 9: Donaire in 2007 (Fight Writer)
No. 9: Nonito Donaire vs Vic Darchinyan II
118 lbs: Bantamweight
In 2007, then-pound for pound fighter Vic "Raging Bull" Darchinyan brought an undefeated 28-0 record against the "Filipino Flash" Nonito Donaire in an IBO and IBF flyweight title contest. The latter won in impressive fashion by way of 5th round TKO, and since then, the two have switched positions in the sport. Donaire (22-1) is now considered a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter and garnered three TKOs and one unanimous decision win since the 2007 Darchinyan bout. The "Raging Bull" has been impressive in mounting a comeback. He defeated (among others) Cristian Mijares, Jorge Arce, and most recently, Tomas Rojas. Donaire vs Darchinyan II is one of 2010's most anticipated fights.
>> No. 8: Hatton vs. Marquez
No. 8: Ricky Hatton vs Juan Manuel Marquez
140 lbs: Jr Welterweight
>> PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs Hatton
British former junior welterweight lineal champion Ricky Hatton (45-2) and Mexican pound-for-pound fighter Juan Manuel Marquez (50-5-1) have several things in common. First, they both have rabid fan followings from their respective countries. Second, they both faced Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. Hatton lost to Floyd in a 10th round TKO, and by 2nd round KO to Pacquiao. Marquez has one draw and one split decision loss to Pacquiao, and one unanimous decision loss to Mayweather, Jr.
Third, there have been calls for both Hatton (31 years old) and Marquez (36 years old) to retire. However, according to Golden Boy Promotions, both fighters have verbally agreed to fight in England in 2010. It would be a highly interesting and visible bout in a very talented junior welterweight division.
>> No. 7: Khan vs Bradley
No. 7: Amir Khan vs Timothy Bradley
140 lbs: Jr Welterweight
>> PHOTOS: Khan vs Salita
WBA junior welterweight champion and British Amir Khan (22-1) is a rising star in the sport. Trained by Freddie Roach, the 23-year old has beaten three consecutive tough opponents in succession: Marco Antonio Barrera, Andriy Kotelnik, and Dmitriy Salita. WBO junior welterweight champion Timothy Bradley (25-0) would be an imposing foe, and it would be a great fight. Since 2008, Bradley has defeated Junior Witter, Kendall Holt, Nate Campbell, and most recently Lamont Peterson.
>> No. 6: Haye vs Klitschko
No. 6: David Haye vs Vitali Klitschko
Unlimited: Heavyweight
>> PHOTOS: David Haye vs Nikolai Valuev
Both WBA heavyweight champ David Haye (23-1) and WBC heavyweight titlist Vitali Klitschko (39-2) have had a successful 2009. Impressively, Haye defeated 7 ft 2 in Russian giant Nikolai Valuev (50-2) in November, displaying agility and versatility as a heavyweight. Klitschko's size and reach would make the Ukrainian a favorite to win this fight. Vitali recently defeated Kevin Johnson, Cristobal Arreola, Juan Carlos Gomez, and Samuel Peter in succession since October 2008.
>> No. 5: Cotto vs Margarito II
No. 5: Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito II
147 lbs: Welterweight
>> PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs Cotto (1)
>> PHOTOS: Pacquiao vs Cotto (2)
When Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto entered the fight against Mexico's Antonio Margarito in July 2008, the bout was one of the most highly anticipated fights of the year. At the time, Cotto was undefeated and a top 5 pound for pound fighter, and Margarito was considered the most avoided boxer in the sport. Their worlds have since been turned upside down. Margarito's brutal TKO win was tainted since plaster of Paris substance was found in his gloves prior to his loss to Shane Mosley in January 2009. He was banned from the sport for a year. Cotto would win against Michael Jennings and Joshua Clottey, but would lose by stoppage to Manny Pacquiao in November 2009. Questions remain whether Cotto is the same fighter since his loss to Margarito, and whether or not the "Tijuana Tornado" cheated in that bout. Cotto deserves the privilege to answer those questions, and deserves the chance at redemption, in a big rematch.
>> No. 4: Mosley vs Berto
No. 4: Shane Mosley vs Andre Berto
147 lbs: Welterweight
>> PHOTOS: Pound for Pound Rankings
>> PHOTOS: Welterweight Rankings
WBA welterweight champion "Sugar" Shane Mosley (46-5) kicks off 2010 the way he kicked off 2009 - with another big fight in January. In January 2009, he knocked out Antonio Margarito. In early 2010, he faces a tough fight in undefeated WBC welterweight champion Andre Berto (25-0). Ring Magazine considers the former pound for pound king Mosley as the # 2 welterweight in the world, behind Manny Pacquiao, and a spot ahead of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. While the Pomona, California-native would love a fight with both fighters, that scenario appears unlikely. Pacquiao is set to retire, and Mayweather, well he actually considers fights with boxers such as Matthew Hatton (Ricky Hatton's brother).
No. 3: Hopkins vs Dawson
No. 3: Bernard Hopkins vs Chad Dawson175 lbs: Light Heavyweight
Former undisputed middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins (50-5-1) is one of the greatest boxers to have ever laced up gloves in the sport. He defended his title a record 20 times, and became the first fighter to secure all four governing bodies' belts and the Ring belt from a single fight. ESPN's ranking of the 50 greatest fighters of all time peg the "Executioner" as # 47 on that list, one spot behind the great Roy Jones, Jr. Given Roy's recent devastating first round loss to Danny Green, it appears the Hopkins vs Jones, Jr super-rematch will no longer happen.
Hopkins is 44 years old and 2010 may be his last year boxing. We believe that he should "go out with a bang" against undefeated rising star and WBC and IBO light heavyweight champion "Bad" Chad Dawson (29-0), who recently defeated Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver twice each. Let's see this parallel fight of Rocky Balboa vs Antonio Tarver (Rocky VI). It doesn't happen too often. Legend vs. Young Lion. For legacy . . .
>> No. 2: Pavlik vs Williams
No. 2: Kelly Pavlik vs Paul Williams
160 lbs: Middleweight
>> PHOTOS: Paul Williams vs Sergio Martinez
WBC and WBO middleweight champion Kelly "The Ghost" Pavlik was set to fight top 10 pound for pound fighter Paul "The Punisher" Williams in late 2009. There were several delays due to a Pavlik injury, and ultimately the fight was cancelled. Williams' camp alleged that Pavlik simply did not want to fight the Punisher. A few days after the cancellation, Pavlik signed on to fight unheralded Miguel Espino on December 19, whom he would easily defeat. Paul Williams barely escaped with a split decision victory over a tough Sergio Martinez in early December 2009. "The Ghost" vs "The Punisher" remains a highly intriguing bout that promoters should attempt to pull together in the coming year.
Which of these fights would you most look forward to?
Paulie Malignaggi vs Edwin Valero
Nonito Donaire vs Vic Darchinyan
Ricky Hatton vs Juan Manuel Marquez
Amir Khan vs Timothy Bradley
David Haye vs Vitali Klitschko
Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito II
Shane Mosley vs Andre Berto
Bernard Hopkins vs Chad Dawson
Kelly Pavlik vs Paul Williams
View Results
>> No. 1: Mayweather vs Pacquiao
No. 1: Floyd Mayweather, Jr vs Manny Pacquiao
Welterweight
Mayweather (40-0) vs Pacquiao (50-3-2) is not only the biggest fight of 2010, the proposed March 13th bout is the most anticipated fight of our era. It settles the question of who is the greatest boxer of this generation.
Some analysts have suggested that this showdown may resemble the Roberto Duran vs Sugar Ray Leonard bout in 1980, or the Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier fights of the 1970s. We propose that this fight should be enjoyed for its unique match-up between Filipino hero and offensively-inclined Pacquiao and the defensive wizardry of Mayweather.
Additionally, this super fight features two top 50 all-time great fighters. ESPN ranks Floyd # 48 on its greatest ever list, while there is talk of Manny belonging in the top 20 all-time. This bout should be the highest selling pay-per-view fight of all time. March 13 is over three months away.
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