A lot of interesting match-ups this year... any thoughts?


Obviously the next big fight we have up is Pacquiao-Bradley II. Unless Bradley KOs him, I don't see Manny losing this time, especially with the pressure from the last bullshit split decision. Its PPV numbers should be good, with Manny coming off of a one-sided comeback win and Bradley having proven himself with legitimate against Provodnikov and Marquez. It should at least match the last fight's 900k views, if not surpass it.


Mayweather will make easy work of Maidana, but it's a lame ass fight to be honest. Maidana at least has a good chin and will slug it out, but the guy is sloppy... but I'd give him a better chance at winning than Canelo. I know they're trying to put Khan-Broner on the undercard (likely to pick up some more PPV buys because I don't see Mayweather-Maidana alone being a PPV success, at least not to the point where they profit after paying Floyd his guarantee that is likely to be $30-40 million), since Floyd baited Khan by saying that if Khan fights Broner and wins, that he would fight Khan. But we all know how Floyd is with his word. Frankly I think Khan should just say F you to Golden Boy (who treats Floyd better than their own fighters, which I understand since he's a cash cow, but it doesn't show a lot of loyalty to the people who signed multi-fight contracts with them and waited in line for their turn) and go to Top Rank. They have plenty of people at 140-147 who he hasn't fought yet and would make very good, marketable opponents for him who could make potential classics.


Marquez is taking on Alvarado, obviously a tune-up to hopefully take on the winner of Pacquiao-Bradley II since he really wants to win a belt at 147. I get it, but I thought it was lame for him to turn down Provodnikov. Yes, it would've been a risky fight for him, but he claimed he turned it down since beating Provodnikov would do nothing for his career, yet he takes on the guy who Provodnikov TKO'd? It's a safer bet, but don't put out those kinds of BS explanations. Frankly it would be funny if Alvarado won anyway... which is always a possibility. I think he's only lost to Provodnikov (who has proven that he is no slouch in his past few fights, especially since he rocked Bradley some of those rounds) and Rios (though he avenged it in a rematch), so it's still a good fight.


AND DEPENDING ON WHO WINS...


Obviously we have Pacquiao-Marquez V if they both win. Good money for both of them, though Marquez can't really expect that same $12 million that he was offered for an immediate rematch, especially since he did turn it down but ended up losing anyway. Expect some sort of blood testing, especially with all of the raised eyebrows at Marquez in their fourth fight.


Or if Bradley wins, then we'll have Bradley-Marquez II. Also an interesting fight anyway, though despite the split decision of the first one, a lot of people seem to think that Bradley clearly had the upper hand throughout the majority of the fight.


If Alvarado manages to pull off the upset, I could see Bradley-Alvarado being made, but not Pacquiao-Alvarado, unless Alvarado completely obliterates Marquez either by a KO or a very one-sided UD. That fight just seems hard to sell. Or maybe he would do Alvarado-Rios III (still kind of unfinished business with them) or Provodnikov-Alvarado II... unless they fight each other and Provodnikov-Rios is made, which is possible, as that was the first fight Provodnikov mentioned as an option after Marquez turned him down.


And then there's Cotto-Martinez at middleweight... that should be a good fight.

 

So no boxing fans? Bummer.

 

Not a big fan but I do like the sport of Boxing.I'm 50 years old so the era I remember with Ali,Frazier,Foreman and the likes is hard to compare to todays fighters.I know they were all heavy weights but I'm talking great fighters in general.

I think both Pacquiao and Bradley are good fighters and a rematch should be entertaining.I give the edge to Manny but you never know.Iwill never pay to watch Mayweather fight because he is a chicken sheet fighter that continues to duck Pacman.He reminds me of Roy Jones before he moved up and started getting his but whipped.

I know some will say he is just smart to run and out point his opponent and not go toe to toe but come on this is ridiculous.I think he is actually scared of Pacman and does not want to take a chance on losing and having his record tarnished.

 

I agree... it's one way to win (or to not lose, rather), but people won't respect you for it. Whether you're paying for the PPV broadcast or actually in Vegas watching it in person, nobody wants to see just counterpunching and running. Floyd played it smart in the closing moments of the twelfth round against Canelo when he pretty much kept his distance and moved around the ring to avoid any lucky KO punches, but it's disappointing. If the fight goes the distance, the final seconds should be when both fighters finish strong. Always minimal risk.


I really hope Manny puts the pressure on Bradley and at least drops him once, especially considering how Bradley had his hands full when trading punches with Provodnikov last year. He really needs a KO/TKO win, something we haven't had from him since 2009.