Looking for Undisputed Boxing Champions: A 2010 Wishlist

Boxing fans do not live on mega-fights alone.

Yes, there is one mega-event that looms large over the boxing world for 2010, and it may well end up being the biggest event in many years. However, we fight fans can not be expected to live on it and nothing else.

Boxing has had a great 10-and-a-half months in 2009, and with promising fights still to come in the remainder of the year, one can only wish the momentum keeps on going strong into 2010.

Here, we review four potential matchups that could make for dazzling fireworks. These wish list fights have been put together after looking through Ring Magazine's current rankings, since the lineal Ring Championship is the one that is usually given the most importance by those who follow the sport more closely.

Further, the result of each of these fights would be the crowning of an almost universally recognized undisputed champion for that weight class. This is a fact that argues in favor not only of making the fights happen, but also of the possibilities for 2010 to keep gaining the attention of more fans by making it easier to recognize who is the guy that rules each class, and therefore, who is the guy to beat.

Without further ado, here are the four matchups:

Jr. Featherweight (122 pounds)

Celestino Caballero (ranked No. 1) vs. Juan Manuel Lopez (ranked No. 3)

This is the fight that has to happen in 2010 at Jr. Featherweight. Panama vs. Puerto Rico. Size vs. Skill. Heart vs. Heart and Man vs. Man. There's intrigue a-plenty in this matchup, as this fight has been brewing for the second half of 2009, and is expected to happen sometime in the first half of 2010. Caballero started by calling out JuanMa in a not too polite manner, nothing wrong with that.

The plot thickened as Lopez struggled mightily in his last outing and barely survived a dramatic last round to hang on to his alpha belt. Fans of the Boricua may be running out of patience waiting for their hero to step up in competition and make Caballero swallow his words. Caballero, on the other hand, is more than live game, he's hungry, and would certainly give the young JuanMa the biggest test of his career so far. It may be a good idea to stipulate a rematch clause the moment this one gets signed. Get it done.

Jr. Lightweight (130 pounds)

Humberto Soto (ranked No. 1) vs. Robert Guerrero (ranked No. 2)

These are two highly skilled boxers who are just itching to make a name for themselves. Both have a Mexican background, but don't let that fool you, these guys have got skills to go along with their big heart. Their life stories propel these two craftsmen forward in their careers.

The experience edge goes to Soto, but the Ghost Guerrero is as hungry as any, and plans on capitalizing on the momentum he has gained ever since he started on his comeback trail since early 2009. These are quality fighters with a lot to prove, and who are closing in on the end of their best days, so time beckons.

A fight between them would be a win-win, since no matter the result, the show they put on will end up splashing both their names all over the boxing map, big time.

Lightweight (135 pounds)

Edwin Valero (ranked No. 1) vs. Michael Katsidis (ranked No. 2)

Juan Manuel Marquez is currently the Ring Champion at Lightweight, and undisputed champion overall. But all signs point to him vacating by moving up, and that opens up things for the rest of the field at 135 pounds. The men best positioned to try and take advantage of that are Venezuelan Valero and Australian/Greek Katsidis. This fight, if it happens, will end up being many, many things, but first and foremost, it will be action packed.

Valero is a true knockout artist who obliterates men with his punching power. Katsidis is a boxing machine who only knows two gears: forward and onward. One other certainty about this fight: it would not go twelve rounds. Since Marquez, Diaz, and Campbell have moved on, the field may have narrowed at 135 pounds, but the fireworks of a Valero-Katsidis match up would make everyone forget about that.

Jr. Welterweight (140 pounds)

Timothy Bradley (ranked No. 1) vs. Amir Khan (ranked No. 3)

Manny Pacquiao is the current Ring Champion at 140 pounds, but unless you're reading this by accident, you already know he will most likely fight the rest of his career at Welterweight. The No. 2 rank belongs to Ricky Hatton, but let's just say his career is currently on hold. Enter American Bradley and Brit Khan. Young, talented, hungry boxers trying to prove to themselves, and to everyone else, that their names deserve to be mentioned along with the big guys.

When boxers are on the brink of achieving money and fame, but not quite there yet, the best thing to do is to take a risky fight against a recognized talent, and come out on top. Both of these guys are in that position. Amir has amassed a following in the UK and gained an alpha belt, all he needs now is a serious test to see where he, and his Roach-polished skills, really stand. Bradley is that test.

This fight would present a very interesting clash of styles, and would end up with fans witnessing the arrival of a star, with his best days still ahead of him. That's a fight I'd watch.