Boxing: 5 Upcoming Fights Fans Will Not Be Disappointed About

So far this year in the sport of boxing, few of the highly anticipated, big money fights have lived up to the expectations placed upon them by the public. Fights such as Pacquiao vs. Mosley and Klitschko vs. Haye, two fights that were eagerly awaited and captured the attention of mainstream fans and media, wildly disappointed boxing fans around the world due to their lack of action and excitement. Fans had been promised great fights, but both fights were major flops and were, frankly, boring. Fortunately for boxing fans, here are 5 fights that are guaranteed to match the hype and will undoubtedly not let the boxing public down. 

July 23rd: Amir Khan vs. Zab Judah

July 23rd, Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas

In this summer WBA-IBF Junior Welterweight unification fight between the 24 year old British sensation Amir Khan, and the wily veteran, 33 year old Brooklyn native Zab Judah, we will see two excellent boxer-punchers going at it from the opening bell.

Khan and Judah are relatively equal in speed and power, which makes the fight even more appealing. This is a true crossroads fight for Zab, meaning that if he loses his career as a relevant top-level fighter is likely over, so he'll undoubtedly be motivated as ever. Judah possesses elite quickness and foot speed, even at the age of 33, and has shown legitimate power in both hands. Could Judah possibly be too much too soon for the precocious Amir Khan, despite Zab being near the end of his storied career? 

In Khan, you have an up and coming fighter who is as talented as they come, and seems to be destined for superstardom, and seemingly has the tools to get there. Khan's hand speed is mesmerizing, and his chin that had been questioned ever since he was demolished in only 54 seconds by Breidis Prescott nearly 2 years ago, was proven to be strong enough to withstand notorious power puncher Marcos Maidana's heaviest blows. Khan should be able to get in and out with quick combinations, but Judah is a terrific counter puncher who will look to catch him when he comes into range. This could lead to some excellent exchange between them.

Both Khan and Judah will come into this fight in top condition, and have world-class corner-men in star trainer Freddie Roach and ex-world champion Pernell Whitaker, respectively. Can Judah derail Khan's quest to reach the top of the pound for pound list? Smart money says he won't, but you can guarantee that it'll surely be an exciting fight contested at a high skill level with two, top notch, highly motivated fighters who are fighting for more than just a paycheck. 

August 27th: Marcos Maidana vs. Robert Guerrero

August 27, HP Pavilion, San Jose, California

Marcos Maidana is a relentless, come-forward brawler. Robert Guerrero is a masterful technical boxer. Both possess power and are not afraid to engage. Tell me how this will be anything but a great fight? Of all the fights on this list, I believe this one has the most Fight of the Year potential. 

Maidana is coming off a wildly entertaining slugfest with Erik Morales in which he was awarded a somewhat controversial decision. Maidana showed a vulnerability to opponents that are more technically sound than he is.

Due to his technical shortcomings, Maidana knows only one way to fight: going forward and throwing bombs with both hands with little concern for his own well-being. He isn't afraid to lose rounds early because he is confident in his ability to end a fight at any moment, making this particular fight interesting until the final bell.

And as he showed against Victor Ortiz, who dropped Maidana twice early, he will not be discouraged if he takes punishment early. 

Robert Guerrero's story is as compelling inside the ring as it is outside it. Guerrero was on his way to big money fights when he was suddenly decided to vacate his title at 130 pounds in order to take care of his wife, who was diagnosed with leukemia.

Fortunately, his wife, Casey, went on to make a full recovery, allowing Guerrero to get back in the ring and resume his career. He has shown he is among boxing's elite with dominant victories over top fighters Michael Katsidis and Joel Casamayor. For this fight, Guerrero is moving up in weight to attempt to capture a title in a third weight division. Guerrero is a fighter who has shown a high level of skill in the ring, and a propensity to be able to outsmart his opponents, while also making for entertaining fights. 

Guerrero, has shown that he isn't afraid to mix it up and engage when he has to, making this fight a must see for boxing fans. Look for Guerrero to dominate early and outbox Maidana, but I would not be at all surprised to see Maidana land a big punch to turn the fight around and possibly stop Guerrero. This is a fight that can truly end at any time, making it a very intriguing fight that promises to live up to the hype. 

September 10th: Vitali Klitschko vs. Tomasz Adamek

September 10th, Miejski Stadium, Wroclaw, Poland

In the 3 years since he came back after a four year hiatus due to various injuries, Vitali Klitschko has seldom faced any serious threats in the ring. That is set to change come September 10th. Vitali, who is the WBC champion and brother of top Heavyweight, Wladimir Klitschko, is set to fight formidable former Light Heavyweight and Cruiserweight champ, Tomasz Adamek September 10th in the inaugural event at Miejski Stadium in Poland. 

As of late, championship fights in the heavyweight division have been lackluster to say the least, most notably earlier this month when David Haye proved to be more bark than bite against Wladimir Klitschko. For this fight, however, you have two men who's styles should clash well and will give us an exciting fight. Vitali Klitschko is one of the hardest hitters in heavyweight history, and unlike his brother, is more free swinging and willing to trade with his opponents. He isn't afraid to take risks and won't shy away from exchanging with Adamek, who is about 5 inches shorter. Vitali, who turns 40 later this year, has recently made statements regarding his willingness to accept a fight with David Haye in order to knock him out, which little brother Wladimir was unable to do. Will Klitschko possibly look ahead to this big money fight with Haye and overlook the dangerous Adamek?

Tomasz Adamek is a fighter who seldom is disappointing in the excitement department. He has been in notable brawls throughout his career, such as his two life and death battles with Paul Briggs, and his classic championship bout with Steve Cunningham. Adamek has only tasted defeat once in 45 fights, and it was a loss to Chad Dawson, a terrific fighter, almost 50 pounds south on the scale from where he currently resides. Adamek is very experienced and will certainly come to fight, and will without a doubt put up a better effort than David Haye did July 2nd. Adamek likely will prove to be too small for Klitschko, but we are certain to see some great exchanges and some bombs landed. Added to intrigue is that if Adamek can upset the odds and take the title away from Vitali, a blockbuster with Wladimir awaits him next year in what would also be a terrific fight.

October 29th: Andre Ward vs. Carl Froch

October 29th, Site TBA

Andre Ward and Carl Froch are two of the original Super Six fighters, which saw three of it's six combatants drop out due to various injuries. Finally, after seemingly endless twists and turns, we have arrived at the final, which is likely going to take place in Atlantic City. Both fighters have impressed throughout the tournament, with WBA champion Ward scarcely losing a round in his 4 victories, while WBC champion Carl Froch has gone 3-1 with his only loss coming by close decision to longtime top Super Middleweight Mikkel Kessler, in Kessler's home country of Denmark. 

Over the past two years, Andre Ward has climbed up pound for pound lists with his performance in the Super Six tournament. In his past 4 fights, all against world class competition, he has simply dazzled. The only knock against him is his lack of ability to get his opponents out before the final bell. Still, he has showcased an uncanny ability to adjust to his opponents styles and looks to be one of the more well rounded fighters we've seen in recent years. He goes into this fight as the favorite and rightfully so. Although, it is worth noting that his last four fights have come in his home state of California. How will he react when he is forced to travel and fight in unfamiliar surroundings?

On the contrary, Carl Froch has fought just once in his home country over the course of the tournament, and seems to be quite comfortable fighting on the road. He is a fighter who fights with his hands down and is slick and fast, but he invites counters from his opponents. Froch has the tools to upset Ward, and has enough power to turn the fight around if he finds himself down on the scorecards, as he notably showed in his title fight against Jermain Taylor in which he scored a dramatic, come from behind knockout in the closing seconds of the final round. Froch is going to come into this fight expecting to win, and will be motivated by his underdog status. On a side note, Froch's girlfriend, British model Rachel Cordingley will be ringside, which is reason enough for fans to tune in. 

December 3rd: Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito II

December 3rd, Madison Square Garden, NYC

In July of 2008, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito lit up Las Vegas in a back-and-forth battle that saw Cotto dominate early, only to have Margarito come on strong in the second half of the fight and stop Cotto in the 11th round. This gave the Puerto Rican his first professional defeat.

Controversy surrounding this bout erupted when Margarito was caught trying to use loaded hand wraps in his next fight against Shane Mosley in Los Angeles.

Now Cotto and Margarito will meet again December 3rd at Madison Square Garden, with Cotto looking to set the record straight and defeat Margarito. Meanwhile, Margarito is looking to prove that his victory in 2008 had nothing to do with his hand wraps. 

You'd be hard pressed to find a fight Cotto has been in that has lacked excitement. Cotto is among the most consistent crowd-pleasing fighters we have seen in the sport in recent years. Miguel always comes to fight, plain and simple. In this rematch with Margarito, Cotto is going to be looking to punish him exacting his revenge.

Cotto has not been shy about saying that he believes that Margarito had loaded wraps in their first fight. If you saw Cotto's face after the fight, you'd probably agree with him. Can Cotto, who has legendary trainer Emanuel Steward in his corner, claim revenge on the only man besides the great Manny Pacquiao to hand him a defeat in his professional career?

Margarito will be coming into this fight off of his November 2010 loss to Pacquiao in which he was thoroughly beaten. So badly, in fact, that he's undergone multiple eye surgeries and at one point was nearly forced to retire. Margarito badly needs to defeat Cotto in this fight, or his career at the top level is essentially over. These two will be going right at each other from the start, in what should be one of the best fights we will see all year, ending the 2011 boxing year with a bang.