The retirement of Floyd Mayweather is big news in the world of boxing. However, there is a lot going on in the sweet science today. Besides this year being exciting for almost every class, there's a lot of noise about fights on the horizon. Let's take a closer look at each weight class:
Junior Featherweights (122 pounds)
Israel Vasquez (43-4) has defeated Rafael Marquez in their third match, cementing his rule of the division and his place in the top five pound-for-pound fighters. Who does he face next? Does he face Marquez (37-5) a fouth time, or does he give a title shot to Celestino Caballero (29-2)?
Meanwhile, Juan Manuel Lopez (22-0) completely dominated Daniel Ponce de Leon (34-2) earlier this month. With the strength and killer- instinct of fellow Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto, Lopez may be on his way to take the title and dominate the division. However, undefeated Steve Molitor (27-0) has been winning with smarts and working his way up the ranks as well.
My prediction: Lopez faces Molitor and wins in an elimination bout for the chance to face Vasquez. Meanwhile, Ponce de Leon faces Marquez to redeem himself after his brutal loss. The two would both be coming off a loss and the winner would face Caballero with the prize being a shot at Vasquez. Vasquez will retire with his championship intact.
Featherweights (126 pounds)
Ring Magazine ranks Chris John (41-0-1) as tops in the division. However, John has yet to fight in north America. How legitimate is his record? Did he beat 41 quality opponents, or did he pad his resume overseas with easy targets? His seemingly apparent partnership with Golden Boy means that de la Hoya trusts his record, we'll see in September if the Mexico fight takes form.
Robert Guerrero (22-1-1) is ready for his rematch against Orlando Salido (30-9-2). Can Saldio win legitimately this time, or were the steroids the real weapon in their 2006 bout? Look for an elimination bout between undefeated Jorge Linares (25-0) and Jorge Solis (35-1-2), who both feel they deserve the title. Don't count out Hector Velazquez (49-11-2). He's older and has lost 11 bouts, but he has the experience and the drive for one more shot.
My prediction: Chris John loses his first noth American fight, but is not out and earns his title shot sometime in 2009.
Junior Lightweights (130 pounds)
Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2) is the man right now. He's the current reigning number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world, and he's earned it. this Saturday, he's moving up to Lightweight to fight for David Diaz's belt. A victory could keep him moving up to 140 pounds to face Ricky Hatton, or staying at 135 and unifying the Lightweight division. He's also one of the fighters mentioned as Oscar de la Hoya's swan song bout later this year.
Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-1) is moving up with Pacqiuao and fighting top ranked Lightweight Joel Casamayor (36-3-1). This could set up a unification bout in the Lightweight division by two junior lightweights: Pacquiao and Marquez.
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