What is Inside Fights 2008 Fighter of the Year have in store for 2009? It looks like a fight with Ricky Hatton at 140 pounds is going to happen. Both have a verbal agreement but the paperwork needs to be signed before you can start budgeting some pay-per-view money for early May. There are rumors the two may fight in Dubai but that is absurd. There is no chance of this fight occurring anywhere other than Las Vegas.
The Pacquiao-Hatton fight will be the biggest fight for the first half of 2009. The second half, however, could bring many different options. If Oscar De La Hoya decides to keep fighting, we will create an intriguing matchup with whomever he fights. There are also grumblings about Floyd Mayweather Jr coming back to fight the winner of Pacquiao-Hatton. As anything with Mayweather, though, don’t believe it until you see it.
Oscar De La Hoya, should he return, is being linked to a fight with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. It’s an interesting fight as De La Hoya’s breakout came against Julio Cesar Chavez. The storyline rights itself. Chavez Jr is hyped as being the next coming in Mexican fighters but he is as of yet been untested. De La Hoya would take the fight, but it would be in Chavez Jr’s best interest if he let his handlers continue to protect him.
In heavyweight rumors, Wladimir Klitschko may be fighting Chris Arreola, according to FightNews.com. Arreola is undefeated and is an exciting brawler but he is too raw and unpolished to hang with the best heavyweight in the world. It’s difficult to pass on a world title shot but Arreola isn’t ready for this step yet.
In other heavyweight news, the WBA is reviewing the fight between Nikolai Valuev and Evander Holyfield last month. Due to backlash from both the media and fans, the WBA found it prudent to review the fight. Valuev-Holyfield was named Inisde Fights 2008 Most Dissapointing Fight. The WBA will release a statement at some point in the next few weeks based on their findings.
HBO is airing two solid welterweight fights this month. First, on Jan 17, Andre Berto will defend his welterweight title against Luis Collazo. Second, Antonio Margarito will face Shane Mosley the following week on January 24.
