By Gav Duthie: Its only January but 2017 is shaping up to be a fantastic year already. We have already seen a cracking unification bout between Badou Jack and James Degale, Joshua v Klitschko has sold over 80,000 tickets, Canelo v Chavez Jnr will likely do the same. The #1 and #2 middleweights Gennady Golovkin and Daniel Jacobs are signed to fight but one of the fights I’m looking forward to most is the rematch between Carl Frampton and Leo Santa Cruz. To make 2017 a top year here are 5 other rematches I would like to see happen.
Vasyl Lomachenko 7-1 (5) v Orlando Salido 43-13-4 (30)
Fight 1 – 1 March 2014 (Salido WSD 12)
Perhaps ill advised Lomachenko challenged Salido for his world title in only his second fight as a professional. The Ukranian was a dazzling amateur losing only once in 350 pro fights and impressed on his pro debut but Salido was a huge step up. Lomachenko struggled with the gamesmanship of Salido who will do anything to win and has a never say die attitude. Loma struggled with the pace and lost a split decision. Since then he is now considered one of the best p4p fighters around after winning world titles in two weight classes and beating the likes of Gary Russell Jnr, Roman Martinez and Nicholas Walters. A win over Salido would help him reach top spot.
Likelihood – (7/10) Salido seemed keen in December but then backtracked saying he wanted a rematch with Francisco Vargas. If Lomachenko wants it his promoter will need to come up with a good offer.
Badou Jack 20-1-3 (12) v James Degale 23-1-1 (14)
Fight 1 14 January 2017 (MD Draw)
Jack has already relinquished his WBC title so it looks unlikely that this fight will happen anytime soon. Degale still has big fish to fry at super middleweight starting with his mandatory opponent Jose Uzcategui 26-1 (22).
Likelihood – (2/10) It may be possible in the future but at the moment Mayweather is talking up Jack fighting Adonis Stevenson. Fair play to Jack for giving up his title quickly rather than letting this drag on like some fighters do.
Andre Ward 31-0 (15) v Sergey Kovalev 30-1-1 (26)
Fight 1 – 19 November 2016 (Ward SD 12)
It has a rematch clause so has to happen right? Not necessarily. Ward has talked retirement despite lucrative opportunities for him. Kovalev wants the fight and wants to avoid the judges.
Likelihood – (7/10) If they can agree on the money this could happen no doubt. It was all quite respectful before the first fight but now these guys have a proper rivalry and we want to see it concluded.
Abner Mares 30-2-1 (15) v Johnny Gonzalez 62-10 (52)
Fight 1 – 24 August 2013 (Gonzalez WKO 1)
Mares is a slick three weight world champion and Johnny Gonzalez a powerful bruiser. When their first fight was announced it was expected that Mares would comfortably outbox him. Gonzalez shocked everyone by not only winning but stopping Mares in round 1. Not long after Gonzalez lost his title to Gary Russell Jnr (LTKO 4) and Jonathon Oquendo (LMD 12). He has since moved up in weight and won a few but recently called Mares out saying he was scared to fight him.
Likelihood – (5/10) I really would like to see this but Mares is pushing himself to the limit to even fight at 126lbs. Gonzalez would need to move back down again.
Roman Gonzalez 46-0 (38) v Juan Francisco Estrada 34-2 (24)
Fight 1 17 November 2012 (Gonzalez UD 12)
Apart from Gonzalez last bout against Carlos Cuadras Estrada was his toughest fight. They faced each other almost 5 years ago. Since then Gonzalez has won 13 fights and Estrada 8. They have also moved up 2 weight classes and are now plying their trade in the Super Flyweight division.
Likelihood – (5/10) Gonzalez has been pricing himself out of this fight asking for $1 million which is a huge sum for a small fighter. I think it is more likely they will try to unify against Japanese star Naoya Inoue.