Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez and 5 Great Fights Left in 2011

Manny Pacquiao and his third and final chapter in his trilogy with Juan Manuel Marquez is shooting to the top of a list of highly anticipated showdowns to end a great year in boxing.

In the aftermath of two controversial knockouts (Chad Dawson's knockout of Bernard Hopkins and Floyd Mayweather's knockout of Victor Ortiz), boxing fans need amazing fights to quench their thirst.

Well here are five fights sure to electrify all who witness them as they close this year in boxing.

5. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr vs Peter Manfredo Jr.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (43-0-1, 30 KOs) may not live up to his father's legendary name, but he cannot be called boring.

He gets hit a lot and he throws a lot. His punches also pack a lot of hurt. Peter Manfredo Jr (37-6, 20 KOs) is a kid from Providence who only knows how to fight going forward.

The two are destined to make some beautiful music with fists clashing off the sides of each other's jaws and rib cages cracking in awful unison. It'll be a bloody orchestra or pain and excitement.

When and Where to Watch It: November 19 on HBO.

4. Saul Alvarez vs Kermit Cintron

Saul Alvarez AKA "Canelo" (38-0-1, 28 KOs) is a rising star of Mexico that sports distinctive red hair and great ring smarts for such a young fighter.

He's demonstrated a growing ability to finish his fights strong by delivering the knockout victory in two of his past three fights this year.

His opponent on November 26 is Kermit Cintron (33-4-1, 28 KOs), a decorated Puerto Rican fighter with a knack for random knockouts and strange events.

Cintron has flown out of the ring and argued his way out of a knockout in the past. He's an aging trickster, who will do anything to win. Canelo must put him away in impressive fashion to secure the victory.

If he leaves any room for Cintron to become controversial, he will. A knockout is a must. The only question is will Canelo deliver? Or will Cintron's fist become a reality check to the young fighter about the tough sport's highs and falls?

When and Where to Watch It: November 26 on HBO.

3. James Kirkland vs Alfredo Angulo

James Kirkland (29-1, 26 KOs) is a Texas knockout king whose still growing, but packs a wallop in his punch.

Alfredo Angulo (20-1, 17 KOs) is Mexican warrior who never backs down and knows how to finish a fight.

Both fighters only have one defeat and the HBO televised match has dramatic knockout finish written all over it. Don't expect this one to go to decision.

When and Where to watch it: November 5 on HBO.

2. Lucian Bute vs Glen Johnson

Lucian Bute (29-0, 24 KOs) is out to prove he deserves to be the highly acclaimed IBF super middleweight (168 lbs) world champion.

Glen Johnson (51-15-2, 34 KOs) is out to prove he still has it. At age 42, he knocked out Allan Green and gave Carl Froch a run for his money.

Bute, the only noticeable absence from the Super Six Boxing tourney, has been collecting million-dollar checks against poor competition.

Johnson is  his most decorated foe and his greatest challenge. Should he win, expect him to face the Super Six winner (who will be decided on December 17). Should he lose, he will be exposed as overhyped.

Johnson comes to fight and brings the wars. Bute comes to finish by way of knockout and brings the guns. Let World War 3 Commence.

When and Where to Watch It: November 5 on Showtime.

1. Miguel Cotto vs Antonio Margarito II

Cotto and Margarito are bitter rivals ever since their battle in July of 2008.

Cotto was undefeated. Then Margarito withstood his worst to give his best and defeated Cotto by eleventh round technical knockout.

Margarito was discovered to have loaded gloves before his next fight against Shane Mosley (46-7-1, 39 KOs). Questions came as to whether Margarito's gloves were loaded against Cotto when they fought.

Now Cotto (36-2, 29 KOs) wants to gain revenge against Margarito 38-7, 27 KOs). Greater means of checking the fighters' gloves have been commissioned.

The fight will be set at Madison Square Garden. Both fighters bring out the bloody best in each other and no fight this year has the type of storyline and intrigue that this match has.

Can Cotto win, casting doubt on the first loss of his career?

Or can Margarito capture redemption to prove he won the first fight cleanly?

When and Where to Watch it: December 3rd on HBO Pay-Per-View. 

Why No Love to the Super Six or Pacquiao-Marquez Fights?

Manny Pacquiao vs Juan Manuel Marquez

Everyone knows about Pacquiao versus Marquez. It's a well documented rivalry that depends on two factor.

How much has Pacquiao grown as fighter since fighting Marquez in 2008?

To what extent does style really make fights?

The expression that, "style makes fights" is believed to suggest that certain styles will always cause problems to other styles that they compliment.

Marquez is a furious Mexican counter-puncher who offsets Pacquiao's offensive fury.

If Pacquiao has really grown as much as many suggest, Marquez could get blown out in less than three rounds.

But if styles really do make fights, expect a tough long fight filled with back and forth drama.

When and Where to Watch It: November 12 on HBO Pay-Per-View.

Super Six Finals: Andre Ward vs Carl Froch

Another notable admission from this list is the Super Six Finals, which has been rescheduled to December 17.

Whether or not it will actually conclude as it should without yet another injury is unknown. Andre Ward and Carl Froch are two talented boxers, but it's unknown as to whether it'll be a blockbuster or a tactical snoozefest.

It can easily become either one, despite Froch's best intentions to add the action. Ward is a man who wants to please his fans, but he also wants to win.

If he finds he has to stink up the joint to do so, he most definitely will. 

When and Where to Watch It: December 17 on Showtime Pay-Per-View.