Boxing: The Glass is Half-Full for the Remainder of 2010
By Mike “Rubber Warrior” Plunkett
There has been a lot of negativity thrown around the web as of late relative to the current state of our sport. I make it a point daily to cruise the web to keep on top of the ever changing face of boxing, perusing any number of known websites and news outlets. The year didn’t start out too bad despite the fact that the best possible match-up that could be made for 2010 fell apart at the negotiating table. As fans around the world watched the Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather, JR., super fight vaporize over an extended period we were provided with two very solid match-ups as a consolation prize; a fascinating date with former IBF welterweight champion Joshua Clottey for Pacquiao and perhaps the best possible opponent for Floyd outside of the Filipino phenom, former three-division champion “Sugar” Shane Mosley.
But as the year developed there were seemingly few big bouts, or more importantly, compelling match-ups to look forward to. By the time Miguel Cotto proved his mettle once again as a standout fighter in winning his third division title our sport’s momentum for all intents and purposes came to a grinding halt. Notable boxing writers approached the situation as best they could, lamenting the extended dry spell with whatever positive spin they could muster, but as July gave way to August, some were given to belly-aching while others were issuing statements about walking away for good. To my credit, I had a less emotional outlook on the matter. The economy had and for some time to come will have an effect on boxing, but mostly I view what were are going through as cyclical, no different from the weather, really. The variables of boxing are ever changing. What is dry and gloomy today will be sunny and exciting tomorrow. Count on it.
Looking at what is out there for the rest of 2010 has me feeling positive about the general direction of boxing. I believe that the glass is indeed half full, not half empty, and I have to believe, and choose to believe, that the few months will breed better days. I’ve taken the liberty of listing five particularly intriguing if not downright exciting match-ups. Forget the one bout that never was, enjoy what is being served-up and remember that one lost bout does not ruin the sport as a whole.
Jesse Brinkley vs. Lucian Bute – October 15th, 2010
Brinkley is a talented dark horse of sorts heading into his opportunity against the current IBF super middleweight champion, arguably the best fighter today at 168. And you have to give him credit for earning the date with his elimination win over Curtis Stevens last January, and the fact that he is riding a nine fight win streak, but really when you get right down to it, watching Bute perform makes it all worthwhile. He’s beyond talented and focused. He’s dangerous, explosive and flawed just enough that you want to see more. This bout promises to be an excellent contest between two professionals up until the point when “Le Tombeur” dials in on his target.
Shannon Briggs vs. Vitali Klitschko – October 16, 2010
This bout has been scoffed at for varying reasons; some claim that Briggs is a two-round fighter, others quip that “Dr. Iron Fist” is indeed in decline. Whatever. It’s a compelling match-up between perhaps the most destructive and dangerous 1st-round knockout artist in heavyweight history, certainly since the heyday of the prime Mike Tyson, and arguably the best current heavyweight on the planet. Logic and the odds on the bout suggest a dominating late-round victory for Klitschko, who holds the highest knockout percentage in history among past heavyweight champions, but the danger factor and size Briggs brings to the equation makes this mandatory viewing. I’m looking forward to this bout and I expect the first sixty seconds to produce sparks. Don’t dismiss Briggs out of hand in this one. The elements are in place for an exciting contest, especially early.
Rafael Marquez vs. Juan Manuel Lopez – November 6th, 2010
“Juanma” appears to be locked on course for greatness while many have the younger Marquez, a veteran of four wars with Israel Vazquez, two of them as the victor, pegged as the next designated victim. Me thinks that line of thinking may be flawed – and dangerous. Expect the unexpected in boxing, and in this match-up in particular, things could happen.
Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez – November 20th, 2010
The first go-round between these two last year resonates in my mind today as one of the very best back and forth wars of the last decade. Easily my favorite fight of 2009, I am far more excited by the prospect of these two exchanging leather again than any match-up between two cats claiming pound per pound laurels. Seriously, Williams is one hungry and reckless dude. Forget that he got the verdict the last time out, or the fact that he was rimmed and coddled for all the world to see in his bout last spring with Kermit Cintron, as asinine an outcome I have seen in years, his warrior spirit and porous defense is the stuff of good entertainment. As for Martinez, he may just have it all put together now after winning the legitimate world middleweight title, having arguably deserved the verdict last December over “The Punisher”. This time out I’m leaning towards Martinez, ever so slightly, but in any event, expect these two to bare their souls once again.
Michael Katsidis vs. Juan Manuel Marquez – November 27th, 2010
Who’s kidding who? This is a terrific lightweight match-up, perhaps the best possible such match-up that can be made at 135 today. One is a great puncher with some skills and an abundance of heart while the other is one of the greatest in the world today, arguably the best Mexico has produced since Julio Cesar Chavez and Ricardo Lopez. Marquez may be aging but his rematch win over Juan Diaz last July enabled him to shake off any ring rust that developed in the months after his loss to Floyd Mayweather JR. As for Katsidis, otherwise known as “The Great”, a great night by him coupled with the effect of Father Time on the defending WBO champion could equate to bigger things. This is a bout you can’t afford to miss.