A Top 10 List of Fights I Want to See in 2009

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 01.07.2009

If I had a wish list for the next twelve months, this would be it. But is it yours as well? Let’s find out.

I'm sure we've all begun to put together New Year's resolutions and wish lists for 2009, but after mulling over some upcoming fights, I had the idea that I'd put together a wish list of fights that I'd like to see happen this year. Of course I've omitted any fights that have already been officially signed and may include those that may very well be in the final stages of getting inked, but have not yet been.

Some of you may agree with the list and some of you may not. Perhaps you have your own fights that you'd like to see that I didn't list or think that one of these following bouts doesn't mean a whole lot to you. Either way, I'd love to hear what you have to say.

Now let's get rolling!

[These are no in particular order.]

1. Antonio Margarito vs. Paul Williams II - The boxing community wants it, the fans want it and as a part of both groups, I want it too. Their first bout in 2007 happened to be the first fight I ever covered live as a member of the boxing media. It took place at the Home Depot Center in Carson, CA and I had the privilege of being at ringside to take it all in for the HBO broadcasted bout. It was quite the experience and one that I'll never forget. We all know what happened; Margarito started off too slow and the then undefeated Williams piled on the points to take an early lead. By the time Margarito picked up the pace, Williams was pretty well ahead and Margs would need more than just a handful of rounds to keep his title. In the 11th round, Margarito took it to Williams, nearly putting him out but "The Punisher" not only survived but also pasted Margarito with boxing skills in the 12th to win the title. It was an upset and catapulted Williams into an elite fighter. Of course the rematch didn't come to pass then and it has since stayed in our list of fights we want to see. Margarito is on top of the world right now and Williams can't get a top fighter. For the sake of the welterweight division and to crown a true 147-pound champion, we absolutely must get this fight in 2009.

2. Ricky Hatton vs. Manny Pacquiao - Yes we know this one is pretty close to being done but until I get an email from Top Rank or Golden Boy Promotions telling us that it's signed, it'll stay on this list. What more can you ask for at 140-pounds? Pacquiao is coming off the biggest win of his career and it's clear he can be a force seven pounds lighter. Ricky Hatton is THE junior welterweight champion and wants to fight the biggest names. Hatton lost to the pound for pound best in Dec. 07 and you can bet he'd love to get a crack at the current P4P champ. Both fighters have a huge fan base and you can only imagine what a rabid crowd we'd have in Las Vegas. They'd practically drown each other out. I've been saying it for months – this fight not only would sell, but would be an all out war. Hatton doesn't like to back down, and Pacquiao always moves forward. You'd have to be blind not to see that these two would produce the kind of fireworks that fans want to see. I can only pray that in the coming weeks, the rumored May 2 showdown will be locked and loaded.

3. Joe Calzaghe vs. Chad Dawson - Calzaghe is the man at light heavyweight but he does hold two wins over two 40+ fighters (though Hopkins is a freak of nature). I know he's the legitimate 175-pound champion but before he calls it quits, why not take on the division's brightest and youngest star. Dawson is undefeated, and holds an alphabet belt. I know he's got Tarver again this year (a fight he should win) but that's not a fight I really want to see. Dawson already dominated him last year. Also if Dawson truly is the future of the division, then why not put him against the #1 guy? Yes it's up to the two promotions and for the most part Calzaghe if he'd be willing to do it but this is a fight that would benefit everyone. If Calzaghe wins, he's clearly the man and has a win over a prime light heavyweight. If Dawson wins, he becomes the leader of the pack and we get a young undefeated champion at the top of the division. It's a win-win for fans.

4. Wladimir Klitschko vs. Vitali Klitschko - I know what you're thinking. Ramon, we all know this ain't gonna happen. Yeah but I can still wish right? Think about it; the two best heavyweights in the world meeting for the true heavyweight championship in a fight we'd actually care about. Add to that the fact that they're brothers, both of whom hold heavyweight belts and we have the story of the year. I mean, who DOESN'T want to see this fight? Well besides the Klitschko family? It would finally gives us one recognized champion and we could finally stop talking about all these other straps. Even if that champ got stripped eventually, he'd still hold The Ring belt – and that's the only one we should care for. My only quip with the fight would be the fear that they'd be weary of really hurting each other which could result in a boring fight but if sibling rivalry teaches us anything is that after someone lands the first hurtful punch, the other will retaliate and then all hell would break lose.

5. Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. - Ahh yes, the former pound for pound best against the current pound for pound best. Assuming Pacquiao would get past Hatton which would be no easy task, this would be the most mouthwatering fight that could be made. We know Pacquiao is willing to do it and Mayweather's been rumored to be expressing some interest in the fight, plus the money for this fight would be through the roof; not to mention the fans want it badly. What more could you ask for if these two got together. We would certainly see that each fighter has a legitimate shot and beating the other and this fight would generate all sorts of hype and coverage. Mayweather's retirement was a shock to us all but only a small percentage believe he'll stick to it. If only a mega fight will bring him out, you can bet that this would be it.

6. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. - Ok this is where I expect the chorus of boos to come forth. Perhaps only a small amount of fans want to see this one and it's not a necessary fight, but hey, it's a fight I'd personally like to see and it's my list right? Well we all know the storyline; the young Chavez Jr. seeking revenge against the older De La Hoya after Oscar, once a youngster himself, took out the aging Chavez Sr. in a similar situation. The rest of the story writes itself. It's appealing, it's emotional and it's a fight I'd love to see. I understand De La Hoya looked terrible against Pacquiao and the luster is now somewhat worn off. But Oscar would get a chance to fight at 154-pounds, a weight more natural to him now and Chavez Jr.would get the opportunity to put a big name on his resume; hell one of the biggest names on his resume in a fight that could really push him forward. We've all been clamoring to see Chavez Jr. in the ring against someone we've actually heard of; more importantly a top-15 fighter. Though De La Hoya appears shot, his name still carries plenty of weight and you can bet that this fight could still do big numbers, especially if it went down in Mexico. Estadio Azteca would make the perfect venue for the fight and believe me, it would sell out.

7. Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Nate Campbell - Marquez is the true lightweight champion, but Campbell who already upset Diaz (Marquez' next opponent) holds a handful of 130-pound straps. Let's just bunch them all together and put them all up for grabs in a fight that would determine the best of the best. Sure Marquez is ranked at the top as he should be but Campbell should have been the one getting a shot at Juan Manuel. Campbell has had to suffer through Guzman failing to make weight for their fight, to filing for bankruptcy and a champ deserves better. Both fighters can hit hard, and neither both have a lot of pride and who wouldn't want to see a myriad of title belts on the line? The Marquez-Diaz fight will probably be a pretty good fight, but the winner needs to face Campbell. For the sake of already having seen Diaz-Campbell, let's hope we get Marquez-Campbell sometime this year.

8. Tomasz Adamek vs. Steve Cunningham II - If you saw their first encounter a couple of weeks ago on Versus, then you know you want to see it again. Adamek and Cunningham beat each other from pillar to post. Though Cunningham was dropped a couple of times, he also rocked Adamek and generally took more rounds on the cards. This fight was for the cruiserweight championship and it was the first fight in a long time in that division that delivered the type of sparks and ebb and flow that fans yearn for. To top it off, the fight was decided via a close split decision with both fighters making a good claim for victory. These are the fights we want to see and the ones we deserve. Let's just hope a major cable network would pick it up next time so they'd have a larger stage.

9. Kelly Pavlik vs. Arthur Abraham - Clearly the two best fighters at middleweight, you have the champion Pavlik who's looking to rebound after his one-sided loss to Bernard Hopkins and Abraham, an undefeated middleweight beltholder who needs more exposure. Their styles just mix well. Pavlik likes to come forward with punishing straight punches, while Abraham likes to pick his spots by coming forward or counter punch with hard hooks and shots to the body. Either way, if these two finally meet, someone's kissing canvas. With the kind of lead they both carry in their gloves (ask Edison Miranda who was KO'd by both), this would be a very entertaining fight and also give Pavlik the chance to get in there with another solid middleweight, while giving Abraham the shot to finally make it big.

10. Israel Vasquez vs. Rafael Marquez IV - I really don't think I need to explain this one. If you don't understand why, please see their first three. Epic stuff!

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Now it's time to hear your thoughts or list of fights you'd most like to see in 2009! You've become the matchmaker for the year; which fights would you make?