Looking Ahead: Good Fights on Tap
Dateline: 08/31/99Updated: 11/20/99
Boxing makes itself an all-too-easy target for the sport’s many critics and detractors. From incompetent and/or corrupt judges rendering indefensible decisions to unscrupulous promoters and sanctioning organizations conspiring to pad their respective wallets, boxing frequently tests the patience of even its most loyal supporters. That’s why it’s important to recognize that boxing - despite itself - is actually enjoying something of a renaissance. The current talent pool is extremely deep, with an abundance of fighters either currently in their primes (Roy Jones, Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad) or giving every indication that they may have what it takes to become great champions (Shane Mosely, Floyd Mayweather, Michael Grant). And not only are there a good number of excellent fighters, but - in an era in which the best fights often never get made - it’s particularly refreshing to see the exciting lineup of fights scheduled for the remainder of the year.
Here then are fourteen reasons - all in the next four months - to feel good about the current state of boxing, as well a quick prediction on which fighter will emerge victorious in each bout. Remember all fights are, as always, subject to change, if not outright cancellation:
Saturday, September 11: WBC/IBF junior lightweight title: Floyd Mayweather Jr. (21-0, 16 KOs) vs. Carlos Gerena (34-2).
Prediction: Mayweather by KO
Result: Mayweather TKO 7
Saturday, September 11: Freddy Norwood (33-0-1, 20 KOs) vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (29-1, 23 KOs).
Prediction: Norwood by decision
Result: Norwood by decision
Saturday, September 18: WBC/IBF welterweight title: Oscar de la Hoya (31-0, 25 KOs) vs. Felix Trinidad (35-0, 30 KOs).
Prediction: De La Hoya by decision
Result: Trinidad by decision
Saturday, September 25: Shane Mosley (32-0, 30 KOs) vs. Wilfredo Rivera (29-3-1, 19 KOs).
Prediction: Mosley by KO
Result: Mosley KO 10
Saturday, September 25: Wladimir Klitschko (28-1, 26 KOs) vs. Axel Schulz (26-3-1, 11 KOs).
Prediction: Klitschko by decision
Result: Klitschko TKO 8
Saturday, October 2: IBF junior flyweight title: Will Grigsby (14-1-1, 6 KOs) vs. Ricardo Lopez (47-0-1, 35 KOs).
Prediction: Lopez by decision
Result: Lopez by decision
Friday, October 22: WBO/WBC featherweight title: Naseem Hamed (32-0, 29 KOs) vs. Cesar Soto (54-7-2, 40 KOs).
Prediction: Hamed by decision
Result: Hamed by decision
Friday, October 22: WBC super bantamweight title: Erik Morales (34-0, 28 KOs) vs. Wayne McCullough (22-2, 14 KOs).
Prediction: Morales by decision
Result: Morales by decision
Saturday, October 23: Mike Tyson (46-3, 40 KOs) vs. Orlin Norris (50-5-1, 28 KOs).
Prediction: Tyson by KO
Result: No Contest
Friday, November 5: Dana Rosenblatt (35-1, 23 KOs) vs. Vinny Pazienza (46-7, 29 KOs).
Prediction: Rosenblatt by decision
Result: Rosenblatt by decision
Saturday, November 6: WBC/WBA/IBF light heavyweight title: Roy Jones Jr. (40-1, 33 KOs) vs. Graciano Rocchigiani (40-4-1, 19 KOs).
Prediction: Jones by KO
Result: Postponed until January
Saturday, November 6: Hasim Rahman (31-1, 26 KOs) vs. Oleg Maskaev (23-2, 18 KOs)
Prediction: Rahman by decision
Result: Maskaev KO 8
Saturday, November 13: WBA/WBC/IBF heavyweight title: Lennox Lewis (34-1-1, 27 KOs) vs. Evander Holyfield (36-3-1, 25 KOs).
Prediction: Lewis by decision
Result: Lewis by decision
Saturday, November 20: Michael Grant (30-0, 21 KOs) vs. Andrew Golota (34-3, 28 KOs).
Prediction: Grant by decision
Result: Grant KO 10
What a way to usher in the next millenium!
