It is looking good for 2015 in many ways. There is the most real chance of getting the big Mayweather-Pacquiao fight since 2010. We are finally getting Haymon on his own, and pitting his fighters against one another (we are still waitinng for Quillin-Jacobs, however). This is shown in Guerrero-Thurman, and Peterson-Garcia not only happening, but taking place on NBC. However, Top Rank needs the help of no one else to make 140 and 126 exciting. Gonzalez-Russell is the only interesting bout for the Haymon/GBP side at 126, but with Gradovich, Lomachencko, Walters, Donaire, and Rigo not far beneath, 126 will be exciting even if only Top Rank cards take place. This is also true of 140lbs, where Rios may have eliminated Alvarado from the mix, but the list of potential matchups makes that division quite fun indeed, even if Arum is the only promoter in the mix. However, in a perfect world, Haymon and Arum would work together. Here is my proposal for a single elimination tournament, with 3rd place qualifiers, as well.
Rios vs. Provodnikov - This fight should be made, regardless of any tournament. This is a guarnateed brawl, that would sell out any arena, if it is even minorly promoted. I don't know who would win, but who cares? The loser would still be marketable.
Vargas vs. Crawford - This is more of a tactical fight, but these are two men who are often brought into exciting fights, despite themselves, and it will either bring Vargas to big enough prominence, or give Crawford another division belt.
Broner vs. Matthysse - They have been talking about this fight for a while, and neither man has too many other realistic prospects outside of it. Broner is not chomping at the bit to get in front of Maidana again, or anyone else at 147lbs, where his power was muted. Matthysse has been just vulnerable enough lately that people will not question fighting him. Should Broner prevail against Molina, this fight is a natural.
Garcia vs. Peterson - this is already happening for the 3 original belts and linear championship. The winner will likely leave the division, but may actualy be better off staying to see who is at the forefront of the other 4-some.
Wild cards = Mauricio Herrera, Chris Algieri and Manny Pacquiao. While they should never fight each other again, if Pacquiao does not get the Mayweather or Khan fights, or even if he does, and loses... this tourney would be a good fall back plan. Even if the plan is just to wait and fight the winner, much as Bute tried to do with the 169lb Super Six. For Algieri, maybe a fight with Alvarado would keep his name at the top of the 140lb list, but I personally do not think Alvarado shuld ever fight again. Algieri-Herrera actually makes a bit more sense.
Results preditionc: I think Crawford would beat Vargas, and whoever wins out of Rios and Provo. He's just too good. Garcia might be the only one with the right style to deal with Crafword, actually, but after the weak 2014 Garcia had, it's difficult to predict how he will even do against Peterson. Broner should outbox Matthysse in a tough one, but lose to Garcia. I would officially pick Crawford to be at the top of the heap, which is a tough prediction, given he has never fought at 140lbs, and "Fighters of the Year" notoriously have a bad year after they win that title.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
