28 the nuthouse
1- Roman Gonzalez vs. Brian Viloria
Who doesn’t want to see this fight? If Gonzalez chooses to make the move up to 112 pounds, Viloria presents one heck of a challenge to the power punching Nicaraguan. Viloria possesses excellent power and is incredibly sneaky with both hands. Don’t believe me? Look at the shots he dropped Hernan Marquez with in their November fight of the year candidate. Both of these guys come to fight and pack a punch, so if this fight gets made don’t expect to hear the judge’s scorecards read at the end of the night.
Let’s face it; 2012 was good, but it could have been better. Another year where Pacquiao/Mayweather didn’t happen (and probably never will considering one right hand), Top Rank and Golden Boy didn’t work together, and sanctioning bodies decided to put the screws to fighters and the public. We had debatable decisions (Pacquiao/Bradley), a fight the public wanted to see ended up a stinker (Martirosyan/Lara), and, per usual, only one fight each from the world’s top two fighters Mayweather and Ward. Things could have been better.
But brighten up, boxing fans! This year there are some fights that can be made without dealing with promotional mumbo jumbo and politics. Here are some fights that I, Matty DiGiallonardo –and hopefully you—want to see.
Make It So!
Ten Fights That Can (And Should) Be Made in 2013
2- Carl Froch vs. Mikkel Kessler II
In most people’s opinion, their first encounter was the highlight bout of the Super Six tournament. Both of these guys can take a shot, and both are willing to go to war. Since their first encounter, Kessler has “won” a belt at 168 and Froch has lost to Andre Ward and beaten the undefeated Lucian Bute. Froch appears to have staked his claim as the clear #2 in the division, but Kessler is right on his heels.
If there is a meaningful fight to make at 168, this is it, but it also promises to be entertaining. A big KO by Froch against Bute and Kessler tasting
canvas against Allan Green shows that the tide might be turning, and a more vulnerable Kessler could make for an even more interesting fight than the first one.
3- Nonito Donaire vs. Guillermo Rigondeaux
Supposedly, this fight is going to happen in the late Spring/early Summer of this year, but I will believe it when I see it. Bob Arum tried to let Gamboa/Lopez “marinate” and all that got marinated was JuanMa’s face from Orlando Salido’s big shots. Let’s hope that he takes these two fighters from his stable and gives the fans what they want. Donaire never avoids anyone, and Rigondeaux is looking to move his legendary status from the amateur ranks to the pro game. It seems only Bob Arum –or a Donaire fight with Chris John at 126-- can keep this from happening.
4- Floyd Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez
Admit it! This is the fight that you want to see. Mayhaters want to see it because they believe a true junior middleweight with power will end Floyd’s undefeated reign, and Mayweather fans want to see it because they believe that Floyd’s skills are so remarkable that even bigger men will be incapable of solving the riddle that is Floyd Mayweather. A mid-thirties Mayweather that is losing his legs makes this fight just that much more interesting, too. The best part of this is that it can be made given Floyd’s close ties to Golden Boy Promotions. Hopefully Golden Boy and Floyd Mayweather can make a deal provided Floyd wins a potential bout with Robert Guerrero on May 4th.
Gonzalez next for Viloria?