HOPEFULLY with vaccines now being rolled out, there will be no more fight cancellations due to Covid-19 for this year. On that note, here’s our wish-list for fights that need to happen this year.
1. 1. Anthony Joshua (25-1, 22KOs) vs. Tyson Fury (30-0, 21KOs)
This is really a no-brainer. Who doesn’t like a heavyweight unification bout? These fighters have been dancing around each other the past two years and there have been many detours but it looks like 2021 might be the year this actually happens.
This all-British clash will unify the heavyweight belts and crown us with an undisputed champion. What’s not to like?
1. 2. Manny Pacquiao (71-7, 39 KOs) vs. Terence Crawford
Let’s face it. Father time gets the best of everyone. The inevitable can only be delayed, never stopped. Manny is already 42 years old. This fight has to happen this year because a lot of other things can happen to both fighters.
Manny could fight somebody else, like Errol Spence and lose. Ditto with Crawford.
This fight makes the most sense, style-wise. Crawford has long been pining for that all-time great recognition but without that signature victory over a legend in the sport, his story may never be told.
Even at his advanced fighting age, Manny is still one of the top 5 welterweights out there. But time is ticking..
1. 3. Terence Crawford (37-0, 28KOs) vs. Errol Spence (27-0, 21KOs)
These arch-rivals were supposed to be on a collision course last year, but Spence instead figured in a different kind of collision. Thankfully, there were no serious injuries and he was able to bounce back nicely last year with that dominating victory over Danny Garcia;
Two undefeated welterweights meeting at their primes is what this sport is all about.
1. 4. Teofimo Lopez (16-0, 12KOs) vs. Vasyl Lomachenko (16-2, 10KOs)
Their first fight garnered Lopez our Upset of the Year and Fighter of the Year honors. But Loma has been silently fuming on the sidelines and has expressed his desire for an immediate rematch.
Loma was not satisfied with his performance and an angry and re-focused Loma is not someone you might want to mess with.
I believe Loma can still fight better in a rematch but the same can also be said for Lopez. A rematch will silence all doubts for Lopez and prove that his win was no fluke.
Loma on the other hand wasn’t outclassed so it’s probable that another decision verdict in the rematch for either fighter can very well lead to a trilogy. But let’s get that rematch done first.
1. 5. John RielCasimero (30-1, 21KOs) vs. Naoya Inoue (20-0, 17KOs)
Casimero has been calling out Inoue every chance he gets, telling him he and not Inoue is the real monster, in reference to the latter’s ring moniker.
And he certainly looked the part when he demolished Duke Micah last year in three rounds. Promoter Bob Arum was of the opinion that this blockbuster fight has to take place before a live audience and so that’s a factor that will likely determine whether this fight will take place this year.
VERBATIM. “Eff a million dollars... I’m gonna keep it as clean as possible. I’m not fighting Terence Crawford for a million dollars” (www.fightnews.com)
LAST ROUND. It’s on Edwin Tero who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!