FIGHTS THAT NEED TO BE MADE!
Los Angeles, CA– Since my initial go around of “Potential Matchups,” two of my suggestions have already been made. Zab Judah and 140 lb. king Danny Garcia and Nonito Donaire-Guillermo Rigondeaux are both scheduled to take place in the next few months. Saul Alvarez-Miguel Cotto also looks like a fight that is likely to take place at some point. As a fan, I’m pleased with the great fights being made recently, and after being inspired by the great Tim Bradley-Ruslan Provodnikov war that took place last Saturday, I decided to create another boxing wishlist.
CARL FROCH-GENNADY GOLVKIN
I see Carl Froch (29-2, 21 KOs) and Gennady Golovkin (24-0, 21 KOs) as similar fighters. They both combine brawling and boxing in effective ways and have the power to put opponents away. I would give Golovkin the edge in power, but Froch is more experienced at the pro level and has shown he has heart in the ring. Golovkin has not yet been in situations that required him to fight with his heart, and Froch has a good chance of putting him in dangerous positions. Golovkin wants to prove himself at the world level, and a fight with Froch provides that opportunity. For Froch, beating a young lion like Golovkin would enhance an already brilliant record.
DAVID HAYE-TOMASZ ADAMEK
This fight is unlikely to happen. David Haye (26-2, 24 KOs) likes to pick and choose his opponents, and Tomasz Adamek (46-2, 28 KOs) is a lot of risk and little reward. These two match up quite nicely, though I would give Haye the edge overall. He has concussive power, and although I believe Adamek is tough enough to take his best shots, I think Haye would earn a fairly close decision win. Adamek’s footwork could create some problems for the Hayemaker, however. This is a fight that could have taken place when both men were at cruiserweight, but a heavyweight clash between the two is equally interesting.
BRANDON RIOS-RUSLAN PROVODNIKOV
Assuming Brandon Rios (31-0-1, 23 KOs) makes it past Mike Alvarado (33-1, 23 KOs) in their Saturday night rematch, a fight with Provodnikov has “absolute war” written all over it. Both fighters have great power and chins, and neither would hesitate to trade heavy shots. I could see this potentially topping the great Rios-Alvarado in terms of sheer excitement. I think Ruslan is a bit more skilled than Rios, and may be able to pull it out, but this is a fight that could honestly go either way. A fight between Timothy Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) and the winner of Rios-Alvarado II would be great as well, but I prefer Ruslan solely because of the power in his punch.
ADRIEN BRONER-TIMOTHY BRADLEY
Unless Paulie Malignaggi (32-4, 7 KOs) pulls off a miracle, I don’t see him beating Adrien Broner 26-0, 22 KOs) in his upcoming WBA welterweight title defense. Barring the unlikely, I think a matchup between Broner and WBO welterweight titlist Timothy Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) would be a highly intriguing style clash. I would actually favor Bradley’s higher activity rate in that fight, though Broner certainly has more power. The winner of this fight could take on WBC champ Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs) assuming he handles his business against Robert Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KOs) on May 4. Broner-Bradley would be huge, but is unfortunately a pipe dream thanks to the ongoing feud between Broner’s promoter Golden Boy and Bradley’s Top Rank.
CRIS ARREOLA-DERECK CHISORA
Yes, Derick Chisora (15-4, 9 KOs) has now lost three fights in a row and four of his last 5, but those losses came against top competition. Cris Arreola (35-2, 30 KO) has not taken on a true test since he dropped a decision to Thomasz Adamek (48-2, 29 KO) back in 2010. Regardless of whether or not he makes it past Bermane Stiverne (22-1-1, 20 KO) on April 27, I believe a fight between Chisora and Arreola would be great entertainment. I see the more experienced Arreola prevailing against the relentless assault of Del Boy.
TIMOTHY BRADLEY-ROBERT GUERRERO
Bradley (30-0, 12 KO) and Guerrero (31-1-1, 18 KO) are similar as fighters. Both are hardworking, underappreciated, tough combatants who lay it all on the line every time they fight. Both guys are skilled but can mix it up when they need to and are not afraid to trade. I do not think either has the power to knock the other out, but I know they both would try for 12 highly competitive rounds. I see Bradley emerging with his hand raised.
NONITO DONAIRE-MIKEY GARCIA
Because Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs) and Garcia (31-0, 26 KOs) share a trainer in Mikey’s brother Robert Garcia, this fight is very unlikely. It is a shame, as the two respresent the best at 122 and 126 respectively. While the bout may not provide the simple entertainment that some of the others on this list do, it is a very interesting clash of styles that could definitely end in victory for either man. I believe that Mikey has comparable power to Donaire and is the more technically sound of the two, so I would favor him to win by decision.
Zak Young