The Sweet Science

The boxing matches scheduled for the latter half of 2007 are off the hook (all dates are in Manila time):

Jermain Taylor vs Kelly Pavlik (Sept. 30)

I love Pavlik. He's one of my top five favorite active fighters. Though most experts believe that Taylor is just too fast and too skilled a boxer for Pavlik, I'm really hoping that Pavlik can pull off the upset and KO Taylor.

Manny Pacquiao vs Marco Antonio Barrera (Oct. 7)

The streets of Manila will be empty again on Oct. 7 - every Filipino glued to their television sets cheering for Manny to KO Barrera a second time. Although Pacquiao is easily my favorite active fighter, I love Barrera too. I don't think this will be as easy a fight for Manny as everyone believes. Barrera has never lost to the same fighter twice. With that said though, I still believe Pacquiao will win via late stoppage.

Juan Diaz vs Julio Diaz (Oct. 14)

I love the Baby Bull's relentless-come-forward-never-get-tired-
punches-in-bunches style. He, along with Paulie Malignaggi, are my favorite non-KO artists.

Joe Calzaghe vs Mikkel Kessler (Nov. 4)

Two guys I've heard a lot about but never seen fight. I'm impartial to who wins this one. I'm just excited to see what I know will be an amazing fight between two of the world's top p4p fighters.

Shane Mosley vs Miguel Cotto (Nov. 11)

I should like Cotto since he's a KO artist similar to Tito Trinidad (one of my all-time favorites) but I don't. Maybe it's because I find his style boring. In any case, I'm not really a fan of Mosley either but I'll be rooting for him to hand Cotto his first loss.

Joan Guzman vs Humberto Soto (Nov. 18)

Two of the top up-and-comers in the super featherweight division. I've seen Soto fight once (against Bobby Pacquiao) but I've only been able to catch glimpses of Guzman on YouTube. He's supposed to be one of the top defensive fighters at any weight class. I'm really excited to see this one since either one of these guys could be facing Manny Pacquiao soon.

Ricky Hatton vs Floyd Mayweather Jr. (Dec. 9)

Like most people, I admire Floyd's boxing skills but can't stand the guy. I know Hatton is a long-shot to win this one but I really hope he KOs Mayweather and shuts him up for good.