By By Simon Hirst:

Wladimir Klitschko vs David Haye

This fight for me would be the main event of the card. It’s the fight everyone wants in the division that needs it the most. In sport, you judge it by its top division and for boxing, that is the Heavyweight division. David Haye has been calling out the Klitschko brothers since knocking out Enzo Maccarinelli in 2008, doing anything to get their attention.

Unfortunately, the fight was arranged for June 2009, but Haye withdrew citing an injury and Wladimir not wanting to wait a few weeks. Some said Haye bottled it, some say it was Wladimir bottling it by not waiting, the fact remains that the bout did not happen.

If the fight does happen, perhaps it was a blessing in disguise as Haye has more experience at heavyweight and has devastating power, flooring Ruiz with his bombs and even staggering the giant Nikolai Valuev for the first time in his career. On the other side, Wladimir has continued his dominant streak and although his safety first style does not appear attractive, you cannot deny its effectiveness.

The fight goes two ways. Either Haye lands bombs on Wladimir’s suspect chin or Klitschko neutralizes Haye’s power and perhaps finishes him late on. What is guaranteed is that it will be the most anticipated, if not exciting fight that will be made for the past decade in a division that seriously needs character and depth.

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao

What wins: attack vs defense? The winner of that question should win this fight. Perhaps the key lies in whom is the quicker. Punch Pacquiao once and by the time your arm comes back to you, you’ll have been hit 3 or 4 times in return.

Starting with Mayweather, the guy claims he wants to leave his legacy as one of the best fighters of his generation, and there’s no doubting he will be up there. He wonders why he hasn’t got that public affection in the way fighters like Hatton and De La Hoya had and it all comes down to style. Boxing fans like to see wars. They appreciate a talent like Floyd with exceptional defensive skills, but he has to come forward and bring the fight, not sit back and wait for the counter. The real shame is Floyd has the potential to do this, but rarely uses this. He can fight when he really needs to, but needs to do it all the time and if he gets in a spot of trouble, then rely on his defensive skills. Also, to leave the legacy he wants, he doesn’t fight nearly as much as what he should be doing.

Pacquiao is a rare breed who has got unbelievably stronger since moving up in weight. He has the ability to stop opponents as he has proven and has very good power for the weight. One thing you cannot argue is Manny in his last three fights has cleaned up the division, leaving it in no uncertain terms as to who the best active welterweight is.

The public have been asking for this match ever since Pacquiao beat Ricky Hatton in two rounds. Unfortunately, due to disagreements regarding drug tests and purse bids, the fight has failed to materialise and if it never happens, will perhaps go down as one of the greatest fights never to happen. The public demand it, its just a shame that ego’s and money cannot be put a side for this.

Carl Froch vs. Andre Ward

Well hopefully this one will happen later in the year, around August I would imagine. Froch has been a shining example of what every boxer should be like. Hasn’t had the backing of any British television which is disgusting, but the legacy he is leaving is one to be proud of, especially his last 5 fights against Pascal, Taylor, Dirrell, Kessler and Abraham scoring an impressive 4-1 record against them. They are tough fights in succession and Glen Johnson won’t be an easy scalp to take, but Froch should probably have enough.

Andre Ward has been what most have called the surprise of the tournament, but perhaps it isn’t that surprising seeing as he is an Olympic gold medallist. It’s hard to analyse his style, it’s very awkward, some say rough and negative, but it is certainly effective as he roughed up Mikkel Kessler and Sakio Bika, who are two tough guys. The less said about Allan Green, the better.

Froch is known to love a fight and against Ward, he’ll get that! Depending on who imposes their style more, it could be a real good fight. If Froch turns it into a war, we have a superb, unmissable fight. The danger is that Andre Ward imposes his Hopkins-like tactics, which could turn into a punch and grab session. Still, in my opinion, a better SMW fight cannot be made!

Juan Manuel Lopez vs Yuriokis Gamboa

Again, it is possibly looking like this will be made end of the year, which is always a good time for super fights (except May). Gamboa has that quick accuracy that is very hard to defend against. His main weakness could be his vulnerable chin, which hasn’t seen him stopped, but floored a couple of times and in a close fight, that could be the difference on the scorecard and mentally.

Juan Manuel Lopez has a bigger fanbase, a bit more experience and I dare say is more rounded as a fighter. He hits hard and fast, good pressure fighter, but does have some flaws. There are question marks over his stamina, as seen in his fight with Mtagwa. Also, I would question if he is too static sometimes and with Gamboa’s speed and accuracy, he would be there to be hit.

It is an intriguing fight, could end early, could go the distance, could be one sided, could be close, it really is anybody’s guess and I sure hope we see this one before the year is out.

Kell Brook vs Marcos Maidana

This one is a less obvious one, but I can’t help think it would be a decent one. Of course, we could change the name Kell Brook to Mike Jones as they seem on collision course for each other at some point.

Maidana put a valiant effort against Khan, but Khan was simply too quick and put his punches in bunches to pile up the points. Of course, that sticky patch at the end for Khan made the fight closer than what it would have been, but credit to Maidana for landing the punch. Maidana likes tough fights and has fought Kotelnik, Khan, Cayo and Ortiz in good fights. Brook is unbeaten, confident in his ability and approaching world class level.

Brook recently lobbied for a fight with Khan after watching the fight with Maidana, but it seems Khan is going in a different direction. Brook stated he would KO out and all that would be needed is one clean shot. I like Brook, has a vibrant personality and a fight with Maidana would easily be his biggest test to date. It would be a huge fight in the U.K and would prove how good Brook really is. I couldn’t put a winner on this except say if Brook is as good as he acts, then I’d back him, if not, Maidana via KO.