Quijano: A promising year ahead

Saturday, December 31, 2011

THE year 2012 looks to be a promising one for the fight fans. Although the biggest match-up that could be made out there – Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. – might not happen in the first half of the year, there are still some viable options for Pacquiao.

The Pacman can very well shop for viable opponents in the junior welterweight and welterweight divisions.

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Timothy Bradley’s name immediately jumps out. He is undefeated, and holds the WBO junior welterweight belt.

Lamont Peterson was mentioned by no less than Freddie Roach as deserving of a tussle with Pacquiao. Style-wise, this looks to be a tough, rugged donnybrook. Amir Khan threw everything including the kitchen sink at Peterson but he never stopped coming.

Another option would be the winner of the Victor Ortiz vs. Andre Berto rematch. Regardless of how he fared against Mayweather, if he repeats against Berto, Ortiz will have catapulted himself as one of the top three fighters in the division.

Of course, there’s always the fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, which never ceases to bring a huge grin to Bob Arum’s face, although there seems to be a numerous questions surrounding the demands made by “Dinamita”.

As a fight fan, I don’t mind a fourth fight, but you have to be realistic. These guys could fight each other every other week and each time, the result will remain controversial.

OTHER DIVISIONS. The prospect looks bleak, though, for the heavyweight division. With the Klitschko brothers dominating their opponents, there has been no fighter of note to emerge as a worthy opponent for the coming year.

The light heavyweight division is due for some compelling matchups. Last month, the verdict in the Bernard Hopkins and Chad Dawson fight was overturned. There has to be a reckoning this year. Though I think Hopkins might be finally showing signs of mortality, still he deserves one huge fight that will either confirm our suspicion or affirm his erudition.

The super-middle weight division recently crowned a king in Andre Ward who dominated all opponents in sweeping the tournament. But awaiting in the wings is probably the best fighter in the division who never participated in the Showtime tournament, Lucian Bute.

The undefeated southpaw has been hailed as the second coming of Joe Calzhage and a showdown with the talented ward could probably be the best matchup made for this year, bar none.

In the lighter weight classes, we saw the reemergence of Erik Morales who surprised a lot of doubters, including this Last Rounder, with his newfound durability.

Nonito Donaire Jr. made a huge leap in popularity and achievement, brought about by his annihilation of the formidable Fernando Montiel. Every fighter south of 122 pounds has his eye on him and his upcoming fight with Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. will be a huge test for the talented “Filipino Flash.” That’s another guaranteed fight of the year candidate.

UFC. In the world of mixed martial arts, we saw the rise of a superstar who might remain undefeated in years to come. Jon Jones is supremely talented and is currently hailed as both the present and the future of the UFC.

Anderson Silva, reigning pound for pound king, won all his fights in 2011 via the short route but undeniably, the new darling of the UFC is Jones.

Yesterday, another fan favorite shockingly called it quits. Brock Lesnar lost to Alistair Overeem in the first round, as he could not compete with the latter’s more complete stand-up game.

If he follows through on his promise to leave, it will be a sorry loss, as whether you loved him or you hated him, his fan-friendly style and persona certainly brought eyes to the tube and placed butts on the seats.

To be continued on Tuesday. . . .

LAST ROUNDS. Will be, no doubt, galore today as we welcome the New Year. Here’s to the hope and promise of a better year. Let’s fight harder, but love deeper. Cheers!

(jingo_quijano@yahoo.com)