12 BOXING PREDICTIONS FOR 2012

By:  “The Boxing Prophet” Richard Solomon

 

After a great year of boxing in 2011, a few big fights have gotten boxing back onto the general sporting public’s mind and the sport will only build off of that and have an even bigger 2012.  From big name fighters taking each other on to young American fighters rising to the top of their respective weight classes to scandal, I think 2012 will have it all.  So sit back and read, as I take a look into my crystal ball and predict the 12 biggest story lines of 2012.

 

1. Mayweather-Pacquiao Will Finally happen!

Despite Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s jail sentence, fight fans should expect a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown to finally happen. The fight has been in high demand since 2009 and given the circumstances, there may be no better time for it to happen then in 2012.  I have a good feeling that both camps will finally agree on the terms and a fight should be signed for either May or November 2012.  No doubt this event will break all live gate and pay-per-view records.  But most important, 2012 will finally be the year the world gets the fight they have wanted all these years, which would be more of a sign that the world may be coming to an end than the Mayan calendar scare.  My official prediction for the fight:  Mayweather wins an easy decision; 8 rounds to 4.

 

2.  Bernard Hopkins’ Age Will Catch Up With Him.

After Bernard Hopkins knocked Oscar De La Hoya out with a left hook to the body in 2004, Hopkins told the world that he promised his mother that he would not fight after he turned 40 years old.  The Executioner just turned 47 this past January 15th.  Up to this point, B-Hop has been able to turn back the clock and put on brilliant performances against Antonio Tarver, Kelly Pavlik and Jean Pascal.  However, father time may just catch up to Bernard in 2012.

 

3.  Juan Manuel Marquez Will Continue To Show The World That He Is Still Relevant.

Whether Juan Manuel Marquez fights Manny Pacquiao for a fourth time or fights a top lightweight or junior welterweight, he will show that he is still a force to be reckoned with.  If a Pacquiao-Marquez IV fight does happen, expect Marquez to give Manny another tough fight and maybe even get the decision win this time around.  If not, expect Marquez to fight a top fighter at lightweight or junior welterweight and show the world that he isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.

 

4.  Andre Ward Will Defeat Lucian Bute In Dominant Fashion.

The demand for an Andre Ward-Lucian Bute fight is extremely high at the moment.  Expect both Ward and Bute to fight other fighters in May or June and shortly after sign the contract to fight each other in November or December.  When the fight happens, expect Andre Ward to dominate Lucian Bute from beginning to end and leave critics with no doubt in their mind to whom the best super middleweight in the world is.

 

5.  The Rise Of Gary Russell Jr. Will Continue.

Powerful with blurring hand speed, featherweight Russell is the most heavily hyped U.S. prospect we have seen in a long time.  Already a darling of HBO, Russell will step up his competition early in 2012 and win a world title by the end of it.  By December 2012, the buzz will be about all of the possible super fights against Juan Manuel Lopez, Yuriokis Gamboa or Adrien Broner that Russell could be ready for in early 2013.

 

6. Cruiserweight Will Become Cool.

Not heavyweight cool and maybe not even junior middleweight cool, but there are some interesting talents in the 200-pound weight class.  In Europe, there is Marco Huck, Yoan Pablo Hernandez and Krzysztof Wlodarczyk.  There is talent in Russia (Denis Lebedev), Australia (Danny Green) and Nigeria (Lateef Kayode).  And in the U.S. there is Steve Cunningham and a resurgent Antonio Tarver, –  giving the division a true global flavour. It’s the kind of talented-but-anonymous weight class that would make for an interesting tournament. You hear that HBO and Showtime?

 

7.  Nonito Donaire Will Continue To Dominate His Opposition And Storm Through The Super Bantamweight Division.

Nonito Donaire is scheduled to fight Wilfredo Vasquez Jr. for the vacant WBO super bantamweight title at the Alamodome in San Antonio, Texas on February 4th.  Donaire has stormed through the flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight divisions.  Although his stoppage win over Vic Darchinyan gained him recognition, his devastating KO win over Fernando Montiel has brought his name under the bright lights of boxing.  Look for Nonito to win the vacant WBO super bantamweight title with another “hightlight reel” knockout and go onto achieve another two dominating victories over two top five super bantamweight fighters.  By the end of 2012, Donaire-Gamboa may very well be on its way to materializing.

 

8. Brandon Rios Will Be Involved With The Fight Of The Year.

After losing his WBA lightweight title on the scales and subsequently knocking John Murray out in the 11th round of their fight last November, Brandon Rios claimed his next fight would be at 140 pounds. This statement leaves boxing fans with one fight in mind: Rios-Maidana.  Marcos Maidana is scheduled to fight Devon Alexander on February 25th.  Whether Maidana wins or loses, the demand for a Rios-Maidana fight will not be phased.  If a Maidana fight fails to materialize, look for Bam Bam to mix it up with a top 140 pound fighter, possibly Juan Manuel Marquez and provide fight fans with the fight of the year for 2012.

 

9.  Timothy Bradley Will Directly Or Indirectly Show That He Is Superior To Amir Khan.

Whether Amir Khan’s loss to Lamont Peterson was controversial or fair is square is irrelevant.  Khan now has unfinished business with Peterson and if a Khan-Peterson rematch doesn’t happen, expect a Khan-Bradley showdown to occur.  If the fight does happen, expect Timothy Bradley to outclass Amir Khan from start to finish.  If circumstances don’t allow Khan to fight Bradley in 2012, expect Bradley to continue to dominate his opposition and show the world that he is the best junior welterweight in the world.

 

10.  Berto-Ortiz II Will Not Look Like Its Predecessor.

Andre Berto and Victor Ortiz will be squaring off against each other once again on February 11th.  The much anticipated rematch will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, NV and will be aired live on Showtime.  These two first stepped into the ring with each other in April of last year and provided fight fans with a fight of the year candidate.  Fight fans expect the same type of fight in the rematch.  They should not hold their breath. Do not expect a knockdown filled, war. Instead, expect a high speed chess match.  Andre Berto will smooth out the bumps in his game, fight a more disciplined fight, use his athleticism and defeat Victor Ortiz via unanimous decision.

 

11.  A Top Fighter Will Test Positive For Performance Enhancing Drugs.

With all the demand for Olympic-style drug testing, a top-tier boxer is bound to slip up and be exposed as a cheater.  No matter the sport, we have seen big-time names be ousted as users of various performance enhancing drugs and it is only a matter of time before boxing has its unlucky day as well. There are a few fighters who I have in mind, but for the sake of being fair, I won’t point fingers.  But don’t be surprised if it’s one of your favourite boxers who is exposed as a cheater.

 

12.  Seth Mitchell will continue to rise to the top and end Klitchshko dominance.

The next hope for the United States in boxing’s heavyweight division is the undefeated Seth Mitchell. Mitchell is fresh off a TKO win over veteran fighter Timur Ibragimov and will continue to face stiffer competition, ultimately ending up with him facing off with one of the two Klitschko brothers in the latter part of 2012.  The Klitschko brothers have taken down any and all so-called next big American fighters and one of the two will jump at the shot of adding Mitchell to the list of hyped-up Americans to their already lengthy list.  I feel this time will be different for Mitchell, as he has the best chance out of anyone in the heavyweight division to end the Klitschko’s longtime reign over boxing’s most prestigious division.  Repeat after me: We have a new heavyweight champion of the world and his name is Seth Mitchell.

 

Until next time, the “BOXING PROPHET” has spoken!!!!!