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Manny Pacquiao Vs Floyd Mayweather, JR May Not Happen – But Here are Three Fights That Need To In 2015

Ring 2By Jeandra LeBeauf

Boxing 2014 was a year of lackluster matchmaking, inactive champions, and the political divide. After a exciting 2013, its predecessor felt like a bad breakup with fans left by the wayside like children caught in the middle of a messy divorce. 2015 is now upon us and with it emerges the faces of new promoters, a platform where the best will once again fight the best, and the real possibility of seeing THE fight that’s been nearly 7 years in the making.

Before we join our hands and lower our heads in thanks, there’s a lot of work still to be done. While the focus is on the mega-fight, there are other champions fans should see in competitive fights this year. Here’s my short list of fights that need to happen in 2015.

Leo Santa Cruz vs. Abner Mares

We can all agree that Leo Santa Cruz is a really nice guy. A pleasure to interview, deficient of ego, and appears to be truly grateful for all the opportunities placed in front of him. Highly active, he’s successfully defended the WBC world super bantamweight title four times and is already looking for his next opponent. While his resume looks great on paper, the quality of opponents that have supplied those wins is not as impressive as it should be at this point in his career. Hopefully that will change in 2015 by choosing fellow Al Haymon stable mate Abner Mares as his next dance partner.

A showdown between Santa Cruz and Mares promises to be a fan-friendly, high-energy match-up of two fighters who can legitimately box and aren’t afraid to throw a full cadre of punches. A clear 50/50 fight, both possess abilities that will keep even the most technical observer engaged and intrigued from beginning to the end. A win for Santa Cruz legitimizes his rise through the super bantamweight ranks while a win for Mares begins the restoration of the confidence he displayed prior to the knockout loss against Jhonny Gonzalez. It wasn’t long ago that Richard Schaefer, former CEO of Golden Boy Promotions, called Mares the third best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

Again, both are managed by power advisor/manager Al Haymon making this collision a strong possibility for 2015.

Miguel Cotto vs. Gennady “GGG” Golovkin

Miguel Cotto has had a long, storied career in boxing. Just when it appears the end is imminent, he remains relevant in 147 – 160lb discussion and picks up a title or two along the way. Never one to shy away from tough fights, Cotto, the now lineal aka WBC middleweight champion of the world, is arguably in the fall of his career. With the end on the horizon, why not give fans another fight they want to see. A middleweight showdown that, no matter the outcome, features the best fighting the best. Despite Cotto’s title, the best in the middleweight division today is undoubtedly Gennady Golovkin.

Like a lawnmower on an overgrown field, Golovkin has successfully chopped down anyone in his middleweight path so efficiently he’s running out of landscape to till. Powered by K2 Promotions and HBO, the “Big Drama Show” is must see TV and now offers potential foes the proper financial enticement to get in the ring with him. Pundits pick Golovkin as the favorite over the aging Cotto but the real question is, would Cotto be willing to go out on his shield like so many of Golovkin’s opponents?

Andre Ward vs. ANYBODY

Being the best has its ups and downs. On one hand, it solidifies your legacy in the sport but is ultimately matchmaking nightmare. Not only has Ward cleaned out the best of the super middleweight division, the manner in which he did it stacked the odds further against him.

Most great champions defeat the best over a period of several years while Ward did it in one tournament. Matches that under normal circumstances take months to negotiate and coordinate were handed to him on a platter and he made good use of his fork and knife. With two matches in two years, and a host of issues with former promoter Goossen Promotions, his best years are in danger of slipping away due to prolonged periods of inactivity.

Ward is now signed to RocNation Sports, who are likely promising him the moon and back financially, but that does nothing to further his cause in finding opponents. Who’s left at the top of the division that could not only give Ward a competitive fight, but garner a payday a fighter of his caliber should receive? Chavez, JR.looks to face Fonfara and possibly Froch, Kessler retired, Golovkin (who campaigns at middleweight) is ready and willing but Ward has to say yes. According to reports, Ward allegedly wants a highly financed tune-up before moving on to the bigger fish in the pond. Ward vs. Dirrell anyone?

I’m keeping my fingers crossed. After 2014, nearly anything will be an improvement.

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