12 PREDICTIONS FOR 2012
By John McCormick
Boxing is a brutal sport and a whole lot can change in 365 days. With three days left in the calendar year, and some down time in between fights, it would be natural for one to ponder, and fantasize about what could occur in 2012. Here are 12 predictions that you can expect in 2012:
12) Nonito Donaire will continue to dominate his opposition, and storm through the super bantamweight division.
Nonito Donaire is scheduled to fight Wilfredo Vazquez Jr for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on February 4th. Donaire has stormed through the flyweight, super flyweight, and bantamweight divisions. Although his stoppage win over Vic Darchinyan gained him recognition, his devastating KO win over Fernando Montiel has brought his name under the bright lights of boxing. Look for Nonito to win the vacant WBO super bantamweight title with another “highlight reel” knockout, and go onto achieve another two dominating victories over two top five super bantamweight fighters. By the end of 2012, Donaire-Gamboa may very well be on its way to materializing.
11) Yuriokis Gamboa will conquer the junior lightweight division.
Yuriokis Gamboa is one of the most talented, promising, young fighters in the sport today. Gamboa’s speed and athleticism is second to none in the featherweight division, and for the most part his stay there has been relatively easy. Yuriokis will start his junior lightweight campaign on March 3rd against Rocky Juarez, who has lost five fights in a row. Despite having lost nine fights throughout his career, look for Juarez to be stopped for the first time by Gamboa.
10) Brandon Rios will be involved with the fight of the year
After losing his WBA lightweight title on the scales and subsequently knocking John Murray out in the 11th round of their fight last month, Brandon Rios claimed his next fight would be at 140 pounds. This statement leaves boxing fans with one fight in mind. Rios-Maidana. Marcos Maidana is scheduled to fight Devon Alexander on February 25th.Whether Maidana wins or loses, the demand for a Rios-Maidana fight will not be phased. If a Maidana fight fails to materialize, look for Bam Bam to mix it up with a top 140 pound fighter, possibly Juan Manuel Marquez, and provide fight fans with the fight of the year for 2012.
9) Timothy Bradley will directly or indirectly show that he is superior to Amir Khan.
Whether Amir Khan’s loss to Lamont Peterson was controversial or fair and square is irrelevant. Khan now has unfinished business with Peterson, and if a Khan-Peterson rematch doesn’t happen, expect a Khan-Bradley showdown to occur. If the fight does happen, expect Timothy Bradley to outclass Amir Khan from start to finish. If circumstances don’t allow Khan to fight Bradley in 2012, expect Bradley to continue to dominate his opposition, and show the world that he is the best junior welterweight in the world.
8) The 154 pound division will continue to emerge as boxing’s elite division.
The junior middleweight division may be the most talent dense division in all of boxing. Saul Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo, Erislandy Lara, K9 Bundrage, and Carlos Molina. Add Mayweather and Pacquiao at the nearby welterweight division, as well as middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, and the possibilities are endless. By the end of 2012, expect two of the best fighters in the division to mix it up in a big fight. Whomever those two are remains to be seen, but given the amount of talent that each of these fighters possess mixed with their styles of fighting, fight fans can expect some of the most exciting fights in the junior middleweight division’s history to occur in 2012.
7) Berto-Ortiz II will not look like its predecessor.
Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz will be squaring off against each other once again on February 11th. The much anticipated rematch will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV and will be broadcasted live on Showtime. These two first stepped into the ring with each other in April of this year, and provided fight fans with a fight of the year candidate. Fight fans expect the same type of fight in the rematch. They shouldn’t hold their breath. Do not expect a knockdown filled, slug fest. Instead, expect a high speed chess match. Expect Berto to smooth out the bumps in his game, fight a more disciplined fight, use his athleticism, and defeat Victor Ortiz via unanimous decision.
6) The undefeated streak of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will come to an end.
It now seems that the powers that govern boxing would rather keep their fighter undefeated rather than give fight fans what they want. It doesn’t matter if the fighter’s record is shallow. The illusion portrayed by these fighter’s records are easily shattered by most fans. Despite holding a version of the WBC middleweight title, and having a 44-0-1 (31 KO) record, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr is one of the most protected fighters in boxing today. Chavez and his camp have refused to face the true world champion, Sergio Martinez. Chavez Jr has shown some improvement under Freddie Roach’s guidance, but his glass ceiling is approaching rapidly. He is scheduled to fight Marco Antonio Rubio on February 4th. Chavez Jr should have no problem getting past Rubio, but expect him to receive his first loss by the end of the year. With names such as Martinez, and Saul Alvarez constantly being mentioned next to his, it would be nearly impossible for Chavez Jr to maintain his undefeated record for much longer.
5) Shane Mosley will be stopped for the first time and subsequently retire.
It seems as if there is a certain distorted security in familiar pain. Shane Mosley is now 40 years old and his last great performance was a 9th Round TKO destruction of Antonio Margarito in January of 2009. Since then, Mosley has lost lopsided decisions to Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. Sugar also fought to draw with Sergio Mora in that time span. Bernard Hopkins has been able to fight well into his 40’s due to the amount of punishment he took in his 30’s, which was minimal. Mosley is not Hopkins. Shane has never been a “slick” fighter, instead he has always been a fast, iron chinned, action fighter. Unfortunately history shows us that style isn’t conducive to a fighter’s health toward the end of their career. Shane Mosley will not retire, but instead will fight one more time. His name has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. If this fight materializes, expect Shane to quit on his stool, much like Oscar De La Hoya did against Manny Pacquiao.
4) Andre Ward will defeat Lucian Bute in dominant fashion.
The demand for a Andre Ward-Lucian Bute fight is extremely high at the moment. Expect both Ward and Bute to fight other fighters in May or June, and shortly after sign the contract to fight each other in November. When the fight happens, expect Andre Ward to dominate Lucian Bute from beginning to end, and leave critics with no doubt in their mind about whom the best super middleweight in the world is.
3) Juan Manuel Marquez will continue to show the world that he is still relevant.
Whether Juan Manuel Marquez fights Manny Pacquiao for a fourth time or fights a top lightweight or junior welterweight, he will show that he is still a force to be reckoned with. If a Pacquiao-Marquez IV fight does happen, expect Marquez to give Manny another tough fight, and get the nod this time around. If not, expect Marquez to fight a top fighter at lightweight or junior welterweight, and show the world that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
2) Bernard Hopkins' age will catch up with him.
After Bernard Hopkins knocked Oscar De La Hoya out with a left hook to the body in 2004, Hopkins told the world that he promised his mother that he would not fight after he turned 40 years old. The executioner will turn 47 on the 15th of January. Up to this point, B-Hop has been able to turn back the clock, and put on brilliant performances against Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal. Father time may just catch up to Bernard in 2012.
1) Mayweather-Pacquiao will FINALLY happen.
Despite Floyd Mayweather’s 87 day jail sentence, fight fans should expect a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown to finally happen. The fight has been in high demand since 2009, and given the circumstances, there may be no better time for it to happen than in 2012. Upon Mayweather’s release from Clark County jail, negotiations will probably begin. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao’s camps will agree on the terms, and a fight should be signed for either September or November 2012, giving boxing and its fans what they have been begging for since Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto in November 2009.
By John McCormick
Boxing is a brutal sport and a whole lot can change in 365 days. With three days left in the calendar year, and some down time in between fights, it would be natural for one to ponder, and fantasize about what could occur in 2012. Here are 12 predictions that you can expect in 2012:
12) Nonito Donaire will continue to dominate his opposition, and storm through the super bantamweight division.
Nonito Donaire is scheduled to fight Wilfredo Vazquez Jr for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on February 4th. Donaire has stormed through the flyweight, super flyweight, and bantamweight divisions. Although his stoppage win over Vic Darchinyan gained him recognition, his devastating KO win over Fernando Montiel has brought his name under the bright lights of boxing. Look for Nonito to win the vacant WBO super bantamweight title with another “highlight reel” knockout, and go onto achieve another two dominating victories over two top five super bantamweight fighters. By the end of 2012, Donaire-Gamboa may very well be on its way to materializing.
11) Yuriokis Gamboa will conquer the junior lightweight division.
Yuriokis Gamboa is one of the most talented, promising, young fighters in the sport today. Gamboa’s speed and athleticism is second to none in the featherweight division, and for the most part his stay there has been relatively easy. Yuriokis will start his junior lightweight campaign on March 3rd against Rocky Juarez, who has lost five fights in a row. Despite having lost nine fights throughout his career, look for Juarez to be stopped for the first time by Gamboa.
10) Brandon Rios will be involved with the fight of the year
After losing his WBA lightweight title on the scales and subsequently knocking John Murray out in the 11th round of their fight last month, Brandon Rios claimed his next fight would be at 140 pounds. This statement leaves boxing fans with one fight in mind. Rios-Maidana. Marcos Maidana is scheduled to fight Devon Alexander on February 25th.Whether Maidana wins or loses, the demand for a Rios-Maidana fight will not be phased. If a Maidana fight fails to materialize, look for Bam Bam to mix it up with a top 140 pound fighter, possibly Juan Manuel Marquez, and provide fight fans with the fight of the year for 2012.
9) Timothy Bradley will directly or indirectly show that he is superior to Amir Khan.
Whether Amir Khan’s loss to Lamont Peterson was controversial or fair and square is irrelevant. Khan now has unfinished business with Peterson, and if a Khan-Peterson rematch doesn’t happen, expect a Khan-Bradley showdown to occur. If the fight does happen, expect Timothy Bradley to outclass Amir Khan from start to finish. If circumstances don’t allow Khan to fight Bradley in 2012, expect Bradley to continue to dominate his opposition, and show the world that he is the best junior welterweight in the world.
8) The 154 pound division will continue to emerge as boxing’s elite division.
The junior middleweight division may be the most talent dense division in all of boxing. Saul Alvarez, Miguel Cotto, James Kirkland, Alfredo Angulo, Erislandy Lara, K9 Bundrage, and Carlos Molina. Add Mayweather and Pacquiao at the nearby welterweight division, as well as middleweight champion Sergio Martinez, and the possibilities are endless. By the end of 2012, expect two of the best fighters in the division to mix it up in a big fight. Whomever those two are remains to be seen, but given the amount of talent that each of these fighters possess mixed with their styles of fighting, fight fans can expect some of the most exciting fights in the junior middleweight division’s history to occur in 2012.
7) Berto-Ortiz II will not look like its predecessor.
Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz will be squaring off against each other once again on February 11th. The much anticipated rematch will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV and will be broadcasted live on Showtime. These two first stepped into the ring with each other in April of this year, and provided fight fans with a fight of the year candidate. Fight fans expect the same type of fight in the rematch. They shouldn’t hold their breath. Do not expect a knockdown filled, slug fest. Instead, expect a high speed chess match. Expect Berto to smooth out the bumps in his game, fight a more disciplined fight, use his athleticism, and defeat Victor Ortiz via unanimous decision.
6) The undefeated streak of Julio Cesar Chavez Jr will come to an end.
It now seems that the powers that govern boxing would rather keep their fighter undefeated rather than give fight fans what they want. It doesn’t matter if the fighter’s record is shallow. The illusion portrayed by these fighter’s records are easily shattered by most fans. Despite holding a version of the WBC middleweight title, and having a 44-0-1 (31 KO) record, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr is one of the most protected fighters in boxing today. Chavez and his camp have refused to face the true world champion, Sergio Martinez. Chavez Jr has shown some improvement under Freddie Roach’s guidance, but his glass ceiling is approaching rapidly. He is scheduled to fight Marco Antonio Rubio on February 4th. Chavez Jr should have no problem getting past Rubio, but expect him to receive his first loss by the end of the year. With names such as Martinez, and Saul Alvarez constantly being mentioned next to his, it would be nearly impossible for Chavez Jr to maintain his undefeated record for much longer.
5) Shane Mosley will be stopped for the first time and subsequently retire.
It seems as if there is a certain distorted security in familiar pain. Shane Mosley is now 40 years old and his last great performance was a 9th Round TKO destruction of Antonio Margarito in January of 2009. Since then, Mosley has lost lopsided decisions to Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao. Sugar also fought to draw with Sergio Mora in that time span. Bernard Hopkins has been able to fight well into his 40’s due to the amount of punishment he took in his 30’s, which was minimal. Mosley is not Hopkins. Shane has never been a “slick” fighter, instead he has always been a fast, iron chinned, action fighter. Unfortunately history shows us that style isn’t conducive to a fighter’s health toward the end of their career. Shane Mosley will not retire, but instead will fight one more time. His name has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Saul “Canelo” Alvarez. If this fight materializes, expect Shane to quit on his stool, much like Oscar De La Hoya did against Manny Pacquiao.
4) Andre Ward will defeat Lucian Bute in dominant fashion.
The demand for a Andre Ward-Lucian Bute fight is extremely high at the moment. Expect both Ward and Bute to fight other fighters in May or June, and shortly after sign the contract to fight each other in November. When the fight happens, expect Andre Ward to dominate Lucian Bute from beginning to end, and leave critics with no doubt in their mind about whom the best super middleweight in the world is.
3) Juan Manuel Marquez will continue to show the world that he is still relevant.
Whether Juan Manuel Marquez fights Manny Pacquiao for a fourth time or fights a top lightweight or junior welterweight, he will show that he is still a force to be reckoned with. If a Pacquiao-Marquez IV fight does happen, expect Marquez to give Manny another tough fight, and get the nod this time around. If not, expect Marquez to fight a top fighter at lightweight or junior welterweight, and show the world that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
2) Bernard Hopkins' age will catch up with him.
After Bernard Hopkins knocked Oscar De La Hoya out with a left hook to the body in 2004, Hopkins told the world that he promised his mother that he would not fight after he turned 40 years old. The executioner will turn 47 on the 15th of January. Up to this point, B-Hop has been able to turn back the clock, and put on brilliant performances against Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik, and Jean Pascal. Father time may just catch up to Bernard in 2012.
1) Mayweather-Pacquiao will FINALLY happen.
Despite Floyd Mayweather’s 87 day jail sentence, fight fans should expect a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown to finally happen. The fight has been in high demand since 2009, and given the circumstances, there may be no better time for it to happen than in 2012. Upon Mayweather’s release from Clark County jail, negotiations will probably begin. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao’s camps will agree on the terms, and a fight should be signed for either September or November 2012, giving boxing and its fans what they have been begging for since Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto in November 2009.
