Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather and 8 Fights We Must See in 2012

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather is an obvious candidate along with seven other fights people will clamor to see in 2012.

With all the great fights that have happened and expectations that have been blown in 2011, 2012 promises to be a pinnacle year in the sport of boxing.

This is a time when boxing lovers can be gleeful and optimistic about the possibilities. Any match you can dream could potentially happen given the wonderful year in boxing that is coming to an end.

Optimistic fans buy fights, products and memorabilia. In order for the sport of boxing to keep its fans optimistic, there are certain fights that just have to be made.

In order of importance from least to greatest, here are the five fights that absolutely must happen in 2012.

Andre Ward vs. Lucian Bute

Andre Ward has won the Super Six Tournament, a gauntlet of elite competition created by Showtime to give birth to a boxing superstar.

Now it's time for Ward to face his biggest rival in his division, fellow undefeated super middleweight Lucian Bute. Both men have been on great winning streaks and have created loyal followings.

In order for Ward or Bute to truly stake claim at being the best and brightest of their division, they must face each other. Ward doesn't believe Bute has faced a great enough batch of opponents. 

Sure, Ward went through the Super Six while Bute kicked back a little bit with softer competition, but he recently defeated Glen Johnson, a semifinalist of the Super Six.

Bute is also in negotiations to try to fight Carl Froch, the Super Six finalist Ward had to beat to win the tournament. If this fight is made and Bute wins in impressive fashion, Ward must be next.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather Jr. became the pound-for-pound pinnacle of the sport before leaving. Then Pacquiao took over and Mayweather came back.

Now the issue of who is the true best fighter in the world can be settled. But wait! He's in jail. But he's not going to be in jail for long, he's got three months. One month could be suspended for good behavior.

That means he can be active as soon as March. Once Mayweather is free, there will be less hurdles in the way of the fight than ever before. Both fighters are ready. The fans have been ready. The time is now.

Paul Williams vs. Erislandy Lara II

Paul Williams got a gift decision in this fight despite Lara landing about a million lefts upside Williams' head. HBO and Boxing Scene had it scored 117-111 for Lara.

The official judges had it 114-114 for a draw and 115-114 and 116-114 in favor of Williams to hand him a majority decision. The judges were so bad, the New Jersey Commission suspended them—a rarity.

Currently, Williams is set to face Nobuhiro Ishida January 21, and Lara is facing Ronald Hearns February 11 on the undercard of Berto vs. Ortiz II. Should they get through their foes, a rematch is in order.

Nonito Donaire vs. Toshiaki Nishioka

Nonito Donaire has conquered three weight classes, earning world titles in flyweight (112 lbs), super flyweight (115 lbs) and bantamweight (118 lbs). Now he moves up to super bantamweight (122 lbs).

He's Filipino, so the expectations are high, as are the stakes. He's fighting for a vacant WBC belt against the man who lost it last, Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. This should be a thrilling showcase of speed and skill.

Vazquez is a bit underrated, especially in the aftermath of his 12th-round TKO loss to the legendary Jorge Arce. Vazquez is no pushover and Donaire will have to dig deep to beat him.

Should he defeat him, Nishioka is waiting and wields the far more prestigious WBC belt. But first Donaire must get his feet wet against Vazquez and hopefully win to keep the hope alive for a Nishioka match.

Nishioka is technically sound, still quick and a hell of a fighter. Whether Donaire truly is the star he's hyped up to be, if not answered by Vazquez, the question will certainly be answered against Nishioka.

Andre Berto vs. Victor Ortiz II

Andre Berto and Victor created a modern classic on April 2011. Now they plan to get it on again February 11, 2012 and the world rejoices.

Showtime is bringing the live coverage now after outbidding HBO for the showdown and the fight will receive advertisements on Showtime's CBS partners.

With all the high-profile blunders and controversies boxing has received, such as the endings of Hopkins vs. Dawson and Mayweather vs. Ortiz, the spotlight being shined on Berto-Ortiz II is a wonderful change.

Amir Khan vs. Lamont Peterson II

Amir Khan was heavily favored to beat Lamont Peterson in what was supposed to be a challenge but not an upset. Peterson made sure to shock the world and exceed expectations with his decision victory.

Khan has been roaring for a while for a rematch with this fight-of-the-year candidate—his promoter Golden Boy even offered a million dollars to Peterson. For now, he's weighing his options.

Eventually though, this fight will happen and it promises to be as exciting and thrilling as their first fight.

Sergio Martinez vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Sergio Martinez has been calling out Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. for a year. Chavez Jr. won Martinez's belt without beating him. The WBC stripped Martinez of his title for not fighting a mandatory.

The network, HBO, didn't like the mandatory fight and rejected it. Chavez Jr. fought the mandatory and won the belt.

Chavez Jr. has been stepping up his competition with each fight, but few believe Martinez vs. Chavez will be anything less than a tragedy. Now Chavez is stepping it up greatly against Marco Antonio Rubio.

Chavez-Rubio takes place February 4 in San Antonio, Texas. If Chavez impressively defeats Rubio, he'll be much closer to being ready for the king of the middleweight division, Martinez.

This fight is important because it could establish a thrilling legacy for Chavez Jr. His father is a Mexican legend, and in order to live up to the legacy, he can't be protected from Martinez much longer.

Saul Alvarez vs. James Kirkland

James Kirkland's upset over Mexican favorite Alfredo Angulo was supposed to make him the mandatory for Saul Alvarez's WBC junior middleweight (154 lbs) world title.

Alvarez aka "Canelo" is a fast-rising 21-year-old Mexican star with vast potential and a carefully planned list of opponents that steadily rise in difficulty. A fight with Kirkland would have to wait.

Now that Alvarez has passed the test that was a shot Kermit Cintron, ending him five rounds, maybe Canelo will finally face Kirkland. But Kirkland must first get past Carlos Molina, another Mexican star.

Kirkland offing two Mexican stars in a row would set Alvarez up to get revenge for his fallen countrymen. With Golden Boy being the promoter for all boxers involved, no matter who wins, they win millions.

There's only so long Alvarez can fight foes of a mediocre nature. Either he has it or he doesn't. Sure, he's developing. Fighters who will be great show promise early. Alvarez just needs to be allowed to do so.