November 8th Starts 28 Great Days
Published November 2, 2008 by Martin Bean
Joe Calzaghe’s bout against Roy Jones Jr. this Saturday, November 8th, will serve as a spectacular start to a 28 dream days for boxing fans, particularly those fans situated in Britain, as three of their fighters not only feature in the forthcoming contests, but also start as favourites.
Calzaghe against Roy Jones Jr. at the legendary Madison Square Garden in New York, looks set to be the final fight for the proud Welshman, Calzaghe. Having amassed a 46-0 record in beating all comers, including Hopkins, Kessler and Lacy, Calzaghe has simply run out of creditable opposition. Hopkins victory over Pavlik last month ensured that was the case, as Pavlik appeared to be one fighter who could entice Joe for one more fight. Will Joe bring down the curtain on his career in a style that befits his perfect record? Or can Roy roll back the years at 39 and show us glimpses of his former, unbeatable self?
The following weekend in London’s O2 arena, see’s British Heavyweight hopeful, David Haye, take on Monte Barrett. Haye, former Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion, is an incredibly exciting fighter—he carries the power to knock any opponents out but also the frailties that have led to him being floored several times and stopped once. If Haye can avoid being caught by the big Heavyweights, he could well be the saviour of the Heavyweight division. He is a man that has charisma, a body that looks like and athlete and blurring speed. Yes, a man that will look worthy of the Heavyweight Title and a man that the public will buy into—a stark difference to many of the recent ‘Alphabet’ Heavyweight champions. Haye’s bout is set to start at around 2am UK time to fit in with US television networks, such is the interest in Haye’s career. A devastating Haye win could fast track him into a world title shot against Wladimir Klitschko but can he beat the ‘prospect killer’ Barrett, who most recently ended the title aspirations of 36-1 Tye Fields?
Then on November 22nd Britain’s favourite fighter, Ricky ‘Hitman’ Hatton looks to reaffirm his position as the world’s number one at Light-Welterweight (140lbs) when he takes on America’s Paulie Malinaggi in the famous MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Hatton is a man with a fanatical support and we can expect at least 10,000 of his loyal British fans to flock to Las Vegas for this fight (an estimated 30,000 travelled for the Hatton-Mayweather fight last December) against the brash and cocky American, Malignaggi. Hatton’s lifestyle, full of beer when outside of the gym, has fallen under the microscope and many feel it is beginning to catch up with him now he is getting older; Hatton turned 30 last month. Malignaggi may be cocky, but he also has substance—he took the excellent Miguel Cotto the full twelve rounds last year and pushed the Puerto Rican hard. So can Hatton overcome this slick boxing American and pave the way to more super fights? Or is Malinaggi going to end Hatton’s career and look to unify the 140lbs division?
To complete this quartet of excellent contests is a ‘Super Fight’ of the highest proportions—Oscar De La Hoya, a six weight world champion, will take on Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao in a catch weight, welterweight limit (147lbs) contest at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, that is expected to be the richest grossing fight in history. Both fighters have fanatical support and the atmosphere inside the arena is guaranteed to be electric. The experts don’t hold out too much hope for Pacquiao, De La Hoya is naturally so much bigger, many are calling this a mismatch; Pacquiao remember has fought as low as Flyweight and no higher than Lightweight in his tremendous career. Will De La Hoya beat the smaller Pacquiao into submission as many pundits predict? Or can the smaller ‘Pac-Man’ use his lightning fast hands to overcome and ageing Golden boy?
So over the next four weeks we can expect lots of action and excitement with these four contests, a memorable end to 2008 which has already brought us classics such as Cotto-Margarito.
The so called death of boxing continues to be reported as MMA’s ascension and popularity continues. But if Boxing can continue to make these huge fights and bonafide big events then this noble sport of our certainly has some life in it yet.
As you’d naturally expect, Boxing Capital will be there all of the way and will be the first to report on all of the big fights. Keep checking back on these pages first for the results and full analysis for the next 28 days and beyond.
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