I got this from Bleacher report but when I went to link to the page, it said the page could not be found
Luckily I saved it yesterday.
With all the furor over the proposed superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, it is easy to forget that there are a lot of other talented and skilled boxers to follow at the moment.
And with that comes a host of other potential fights and showdowns, many of which would likely eclipse the aforementioned bout in terms of entertainment and excitement.
One must remember, Pacquiao or not, that Floyd Mayweather does not have a history, certainly in recent times, of putting on boxing matches that enthrall the audience.
Boxing clinics yes, but more for the purist than the casual viewer.
With Bob Arum's July 15 'deadline' passed, and the announcement of the fight looking in doubt, I thought I would go ahead and list eight other fights that could serve to satisfy the appetite of fight fans.
1. Timothy Bradley vs. Amir Khan
The junior welterweight division alone could supply this list with a number of mouth-watering fights.
With Timothy Bradley, Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao, and Devon Alexander all holding titles, and explosive KO artist Marcos Maidana waiting in the wings, the division is as deep as they come.
Although still holder of the WBO belt, it would appear as though Pacquiao has turned his focus to the welterweight division, and is unlikely to campaign at 140 pounds again.
That being the case, the fight I would most like to see is Amir Khan vs. Timothy Bradley.
Since being ignominiously knocked out by Bredis Prescott in September 2008, Khan has been on a hot streak.
He has rolled through the likes of Marco-Antonio Barrera and Andreas Kotelnik, and most recently convincingly defeated New York slickster Paulie Malignaggi.
For his part, Bradley also boasts an impressive record, and is undefeated in his 25 bouts.
With sound technical skills, superb conditioning and good speed, Bradley has all the ingredients to become a very big name in the sport of boxing over the coming years.
After his fight against Malignaggi, Khan openly stated that it was his intention to unify the junior welterweight division.
Although Bradley has decided to move to the 147-pound division, seeking greener pastures, I still feel his best bet is to stay at his base camp. There are still a number of high profile fights awaiting him there.
And let's face it, it's not like he's going to lure the two alpha dogs into a fight.
Were it to happen, I think Amir Khan would reign supreme. Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, he has become a more complete fighter, and although question marks remain over his chin, I think he would have too much power and speed for Bradley to handle.
2. David Haye vs. Wladimir Klitschko
There's no doubt about it, as good as the Klitschko brothers are, David Haye has certainly breathed new life back into the previously dwindling heavyweight division.
The brash Englishman, a former cruiserweight king, has adapted very well to life in the top division, beating giant Nikolai Valuev to claim the WBA title.
Haye brings a new dimension to the once glamorous division. He has unbelievable speed for a heavyweight, power in both hands, is always in tremendous shape, and more than anything, has charisma and swagger to boot.
He has also expressed his desire to unify the division.
That will be no mean feat of course, given what stands in his way. The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, have dominated the heavyweight division for the past few years.
Standing at 6'6" and 6'7" respectively, they have an intimidating presence in the ring. Couple that with their solid boxing skills, and it is little wonder why they have ruled supreme over boxing's top division for so long.
Their fight, however, usually take place with little more than a whimper from the media. In many ways, it is a curse of their own dominance.
But a fight against the 'new kid on the block' Haye would certainly grab the attention of the world. One feels, at this current moment, that the Briton is the only legitimate contender to the Klitschko's thrown.
There is also clear animosity between the two camps. So much in fact, that Wladimir was prompted to post this video, calling Haye out to fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmqQbVSIpes
3. Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez II
Last time Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez faced off, back in December of last year, they served up a thrilling encounter.
In what turned out to be a late Fight of the Year candidate, both men stood toe-to-toe and traded blows for 12 all-action rounds.
Indeed it was the underdog, Martinez, who overall, probably just about shaded the heavy-handed exchanges, and landed the crisper shots.
Williams, as is characteristic of him, kept coming forward applying pressure, despite being tagged by the Argentinean seemingly at will.
In the end, after 12 barnstorming rounds, "The Punisher" was awarded a majority decision. However, the result was marred by controversy, as one of the judge's scored the fight 119-110 in Williams' favour.
Although the result itself was definitely a close one, Martinez had a right to feel hugely aggrieved at such a lopsided final scorecard.
Since then, Martinez and Williams have both recorded victories, against Kelly Pavlik and Kermit Cintron, respectively.
There is definitely some unfinished business between the two, and with no confirmed fight lined up for either man, I see no reason why they wouldn't renew battle again.
I, for one, would love to see the fight made.
4. Andre Dirrell vs. Andre Ward
Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell were two talented, but unproven, boxers as they embarked on the Super Six tournament.
As it stands now, after two fights of the Showtime event, they are two of the hottest young fighters in the world.
Ward, in particular, has grown in stature immensely over the past year. In the first round of matches, he upset the odds by destroying respected Norwegian boxer Mikkel Kessler in November.
He has continued his winning form by defeating Allan Green in impressive fashion last month. He is now considered by many to be the best super-middleweight around.
Dirrell began his Super Six less emphatically, losing out on a points decision to England's Carl Froch.
However, he has since gone on to defeat the once feared Arthur Abraham, and proved himself to be a very skilled fighter in the process.
The two Andre's have similar styles, and are both counter-punchers by nature. Although Dirrell has the slight edge speed wise, it is Ward who definitely has the power advantage.
And I think it is this power advantage that could ultimately prove decisive.
Thankfully for boxing fans, there is no doubt about whether this fight will ever happen. No negotiations to be made; no purses to be split; no drug tests to be discussed.
The fight is scheduled for Sept. 25. It could be a classic.
5. Chad Dawson vs. Lucian Bute
"Bad" Chad Dawson could well be the most under-acclaimed fighter around today.
He has a very accomplished resume, with an undefeated professional record. In his last four outings, he has outpointed respected veterans Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver twice each.
However, I still get the impression that his career has not yet taken off like it could do. Or even deserves to.
The main reason for this, one feels, is the lack of quality opponents and intriguing matchups for him in the light heavyweight division. Despite his obvious skills and pound-for-pound status, he is still a little known star.
He is scheduled to fight the Jean Pascal this coming August. Should he defeat him, there really is no other fight jumping off the page for him.
That's where Lucian Bute could step into the fray. The Romanian is currently undefeated, and is ranked No. 1 by Ring Magazine in the super-middleweight division.
He, like Dawson, is another fighter that finds himself in somewhat of a boxing no man's land.
He has been left out in the cold by not being selected in the Super Six tournament, and as a result, has very few options at super middleweight.
I would like to see him move up and fight Chad Dawson. I think it would be the best fight for both of these guys, and would generate the most interest.
6. Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Yuriorkas Gamboa
Like the junior welterweight division, the featherweight division has a wealth of strong and talented pugilists.
Two of the most exciting, and skilled, are Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkas Gamboa.
The pair, both promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank, have been on a collision course for some time now.
They have appeared on the same card on a number of occasions, and although Gamboa started his career out in the 130-pound division, they both now are belt-holders at 126.
Crucially as well, they are both also extremely entertaining and talented fighters. Both have perfect professional records, with impressive KO percentages. Both men enter the ring to fight, and let it all go when they do.
In a nut-shell, Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Yuriorkas Gamboa has fireworks written all over it.
Should it happen, I can only envisage one result. And that is that Gamboa's unbelievable speed and raw power will blow Lopez away.
Here's me hoping that I at least get to see if my prediction is on the mark.
7. Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto II
As sad for me as it is to say, the fact is, Antonio Margarito effectively ended Miguel Cotto's fledgling career.
Whether Margarito was using illegal handwraps or not, chances are he was, the beating he took at the hands of the Mexican has left a lasting psychological scar on him.
Had he beaten Margarito in mid-2008, the Puerto Rican would have went on to fight Oscar de la Hoya that December, instead of some guy called Manny Pacquiao.
Given what we now know, and how Pacquiao's popularity has skyrocketed since, who knows what position Cotto could be in, had he not had an unfortunate meeting with the "Plasters of Paris."
Cotto and Margarito are now back on the hunt for potential opponents. With no standout options on the table, the possibility of a rematch should not be dismissed.
Certainly for Cotto, stepping back in the ring with his former foe is a chance at redemption, and to banish the demons created by his first professional defeat.
It is a promoter's dream.
8. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III
Floyd Mayweather aside, there is no there is no other fighter I would like to Manny Pacquiao step into the ring with more than Juan Manuel Marquez.
The Mexican has proven, in many ways, to be Pacquiao's arch-nemesis. He is the one fighter that the Filipino sensation has failed to overwhelm, and failed to truly dominate.
Their first bout, all the way back in 2004, was one for the ages. Although Pacquiao had his opponent on the mat three times in the first round, Marquez recovered and won the majority of the rounds thereafter.
His counter-punching style was the perfect antidote for Pacquiao's gung-ho aggression.
In the end, the fight was called a draw, and business was left unfinished.
The pair would meet again three years later, where in another close and competitive fight, Pacquiao came out the winning side of a split decision.
The result was once again disputed, and Marquez immediately called for a rematch.
Pacquiao ruled this out, and proclaimed that 'this business is over.'
However, to this day, debate still rages amongst fight fans about whether the judges had made the right decision in the second fight. Many believe that Juan Manuel Marquez won not one, but both fights.
Should a Mayweather showdown not materialize, and with no other potential fight offering as much interest, a final dust up between Pacquiao and Marquez would be a fight to savor.
I mean, if any rivalry deserves a trilogy, then this must surely be it.
Luckily I saved it yesterday.With all the furor over the proposed superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, it is easy to forget that there are a lot of other talented and skilled boxers to follow at the moment.
And with that comes a host of other potential fights and showdowns, many of which would likely eclipse the aforementioned bout in terms of entertainment and excitement.
One must remember, Pacquiao or not, that Floyd Mayweather does not have a history, certainly in recent times, of putting on boxing matches that enthrall the audience.
Boxing clinics yes, but more for the purist than the casual viewer.
With Bob Arum's July 15 'deadline' passed, and the announcement of the fight looking in doubt, I thought I would go ahead and list eight other fights that could serve to satisfy the appetite of fight fans.
1. Timothy Bradley vs. Amir Khan
The junior welterweight division alone could supply this list with a number of mouth-watering fights.
With Timothy Bradley, Amir Khan, Manny Pacquiao, and Devon Alexander all holding titles, and explosive KO artist Marcos Maidana waiting in the wings, the division is as deep as they come.
Although still holder of the WBO belt, it would appear as though Pacquiao has turned his focus to the welterweight division, and is unlikely to campaign at 140 pounds again.
That being the case, the fight I would most like to see is Amir Khan vs. Timothy Bradley.
Since being ignominiously knocked out by Bredis Prescott in September 2008, Khan has been on a hot streak.
He has rolled through the likes of Marco-Antonio Barrera and Andreas Kotelnik, and most recently convincingly defeated New York slickster Paulie Malignaggi.
For his part, Bradley also boasts an impressive record, and is undefeated in his 25 bouts.
With sound technical skills, superb conditioning and good speed, Bradley has all the ingredients to become a very big name in the sport of boxing over the coming years.
After his fight against Malignaggi, Khan openly stated that it was his intention to unify the junior welterweight division.
Although Bradley has decided to move to the 147-pound division, seeking greener pastures, I still feel his best bet is to stay at his base camp. There are still a number of high profile fights awaiting him there.
And let's face it, it's not like he's going to lure the two alpha dogs into a fight.
Were it to happen, I think Amir Khan would reign supreme. Under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, he has become a more complete fighter, and although question marks remain over his chin, I think he would have too much power and speed for Bradley to handle.
2. David Haye vs. Wladimir Klitschko
There's no doubt about it, as good as the Klitschko brothers are, David Haye has certainly breathed new life back into the previously dwindling heavyweight division.
The brash Englishman, a former cruiserweight king, has adapted very well to life in the top division, beating giant Nikolai Valuev to claim the WBA title.
Haye brings a new dimension to the once glamorous division. He has unbelievable speed for a heavyweight, power in both hands, is always in tremendous shape, and more than anything, has charisma and swagger to boot.
He has also expressed his desire to unify the division.
That will be no mean feat of course, given what stands in his way. The Klitschko brothers, Wladimir and Vitali, have dominated the heavyweight division for the past few years.
Standing at 6'6" and 6'7" respectively, they have an intimidating presence in the ring. Couple that with their solid boxing skills, and it is little wonder why they have ruled supreme over boxing's top division for so long.
Their fight, however, usually take place with little more than a whimper from the media. In many ways, it is a curse of their own dominance.
But a fight against the 'new kid on the block' Haye would certainly grab the attention of the world. One feels, at this current moment, that the Briton is the only legitimate contender to the Klitschko's thrown.
There is also clear animosity between the two camps. So much in fact, that Wladimir was prompted to post this video, calling Haye out to fight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fmqQbVSIpes
3. Paul Williams vs. Sergio Martinez II
Last time Paul Williams and Sergio Martinez faced off, back in December of last year, they served up a thrilling encounter.
In what turned out to be a late Fight of the Year candidate, both men stood toe-to-toe and traded blows for 12 all-action rounds.
Indeed it was the underdog, Martinez, who overall, probably just about shaded the heavy-handed exchanges, and landed the crisper shots.
Williams, as is characteristic of him, kept coming forward applying pressure, despite being tagged by the Argentinean seemingly at will.
In the end, after 12 barnstorming rounds, "The Punisher" was awarded a majority decision. However, the result was marred by controversy, as one of the judge's scored the fight 119-110 in Williams' favour.
Although the result itself was definitely a close one, Martinez had a right to feel hugely aggrieved at such a lopsided final scorecard.
Since then, Martinez and Williams have both recorded victories, against Kelly Pavlik and Kermit Cintron, respectively.
There is definitely some unfinished business between the two, and with no confirmed fight lined up for either man, I see no reason why they wouldn't renew battle again.
I, for one, would love to see the fight made.
4. Andre Dirrell vs. Andre Ward
Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell were two talented, but unproven, boxers as they embarked on the Super Six tournament.
As it stands now, after two fights of the Showtime event, they are two of the hottest young fighters in the world.
Ward, in particular, has grown in stature immensely over the past year. In the first round of matches, he upset the odds by destroying respected Norwegian boxer Mikkel Kessler in November.
He has continued his winning form by defeating Allan Green in impressive fashion last month. He is now considered by many to be the best super-middleweight around.
Dirrell began his Super Six less emphatically, losing out on a points decision to England's Carl Froch.
However, he has since gone on to defeat the once feared Arthur Abraham, and proved himself to be a very skilled fighter in the process.
The two Andre's have similar styles, and are both counter-punchers by nature. Although Dirrell has the slight edge speed wise, it is Ward who definitely has the power advantage.
And I think it is this power advantage that could ultimately prove decisive.
Thankfully for boxing fans, there is no doubt about whether this fight will ever happen. No negotiations to be made; no purses to be split; no drug tests to be discussed.
The fight is scheduled for Sept. 25. It could be a classic.
5. Chad Dawson vs. Lucian Bute
"Bad" Chad Dawson could well be the most under-acclaimed fighter around today.
He has a very accomplished resume, with an undefeated professional record. In his last four outings, he has outpointed respected veterans Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver twice each.
However, I still get the impression that his career has not yet taken off like it could do. Or even deserves to.
The main reason for this, one feels, is the lack of quality opponents and intriguing matchups for him in the light heavyweight division. Despite his obvious skills and pound-for-pound status, he is still a little known star.
He is scheduled to fight the Jean Pascal this coming August. Should he defeat him, there really is no other fight jumping off the page for him.
That's where Lucian Bute could step into the fray. The Romanian is currently undefeated, and is ranked No. 1 by Ring Magazine in the super-middleweight division.
He, like Dawson, is another fighter that finds himself in somewhat of a boxing no man's land.
He has been left out in the cold by not being selected in the Super Six tournament, and as a result, has very few options at super middleweight.
I would like to see him move up and fight Chad Dawson. I think it would be the best fight for both of these guys, and would generate the most interest.
6. Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Yuriorkas Gamboa
Like the junior welterweight division, the featherweight division has a wealth of strong and talented pugilists.
Two of the most exciting, and skilled, are Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkas Gamboa.
The pair, both promoted by Bob Arum's Top Rank, have been on a collision course for some time now.
They have appeared on the same card on a number of occasions, and although Gamboa started his career out in the 130-pound division, they both now are belt-holders at 126.
Crucially as well, they are both also extremely entertaining and talented fighters. Both have perfect professional records, with impressive KO percentages. Both men enter the ring to fight, and let it all go when they do.
In a nut-shell, Juan Manuel Lopez vs. Yuriorkas Gamboa has fireworks written all over it.
Should it happen, I can only envisage one result. And that is that Gamboa's unbelievable speed and raw power will blow Lopez away.
Here's me hoping that I at least get to see if my prediction is on the mark.
7. Antonio Margarito vs. Miguel Cotto II
As sad for me as it is to say, the fact is, Antonio Margarito effectively ended Miguel Cotto's fledgling career.
Whether Margarito was using illegal handwraps or not, chances are he was, the beating he took at the hands of the Mexican has left a lasting psychological scar on him.
Had he beaten Margarito in mid-2008, the Puerto Rican would have went on to fight Oscar de la Hoya that December, instead of some guy called Manny Pacquiao.
Given what we now know, and how Pacquiao's popularity has skyrocketed since, who knows what position Cotto could be in, had he not had an unfortunate meeting with the "Plasters of Paris."
Cotto and Margarito are now back on the hunt for potential opponents. With no standout options on the table, the possibility of a rematch should not be dismissed.
Certainly for Cotto, stepping back in the ring with his former foe is a chance at redemption, and to banish the demons created by his first professional defeat.
It is a promoter's dream.
8. Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez III
Floyd Mayweather aside, there is no there is no other fighter I would like to Manny Pacquiao step into the ring with more than Juan Manuel Marquez.
The Mexican has proven, in many ways, to be Pacquiao's arch-nemesis. He is the one fighter that the Filipino sensation has failed to overwhelm, and failed to truly dominate.
Their first bout, all the way back in 2004, was one for the ages. Although Pacquiao had his opponent on the mat three times in the first round, Marquez recovered and won the majority of the rounds thereafter.
His counter-punching style was the perfect antidote for Pacquiao's gung-ho aggression.
In the end, the fight was called a draw, and business was left unfinished.
The pair would meet again three years later, where in another close and competitive fight, Pacquiao came out the winning side of a split decision.
The result was once again disputed, and Marquez immediately called for a rematch.
Pacquiao ruled this out, and proclaimed that 'this business is over.'
However, to this day, debate still rages amongst fight fans about whether the judges had made the right decision in the second fight. Many believe that Juan Manuel Marquez won not one, but both fights.
Should a Mayweather showdown not materialize, and with no other potential fight offering as much interest, a final dust up between Pacquiao and Marquez would be a fight to savor.
I mean, if any rivalry deserves a trilogy, then this must surely be it.
? Why would that break JMM confidence? That cat knew he had no chance and went up for a payday. Expect homie to chop Diaz up in their rematch. Also, expect Freddie to NEVER let Pac get back in the ring with JMM if Marquez does beat up Diaz again. Anyway, the winner of that fight will take on Amir Khan. And if Amir gets ktfo by JMM then you can really kiss Pac/Marquez III goodbye. 
