There is a disturbing trend that has started out the year of 2016, and that is that absolutely nothing seems to be moving forward. Sure, it looks as if we are finally getting Thurman vs. Porter, but that is about all as far as new challenges. Amir Khan and Kell Brook are still tap dancing around fighting each other... with Khan beating faded former contenders, and waiting for bigger names... while Brook fights useless mandatories and optionals.
Danny Garcia is joining Khan in following along with the Haymon plan of using faded former champions to give the illusion that he is a threat to the 147 lbers. And that is just the welterweight division. Here are the 3 biggest rematch disappointments that are happening in 2016. There is also a rematch (or third fight) that is NOT happening... the only one we actually wanted, which was Salido vs. Martinez! Also, no announcement of a Miura-Vargas 2 as of yet. Personally, I am already looking forward to the second half of the year.
Fury vs. Klitschko. Is there a reason to see this again? It was boring as hell the first time out, and Klitschko will be 40 by the time it happens. Not to mention Klitschko's very light schedule means this fight probably won't happen until summer, and the belts are contractually held hostage until it does! Wlad, it is time to clear the lane. You are a first ballot hall of famer, and the boxing world is tiring of the boring heavyweight division. Joshua, Povetkin, Wilder, Ortiz, Browne, Helenius, Martin, and Fury are here now. Move on, please! Your family needs you, and we no longer do.
Pascal vs. Kovalev. Why on earth is there a rematch being fought here? Ironically, Al Haymon may be partially to blame, even though he is not the promoter of either man. He promotes every one else interesting at 175lbs, including Alvarez, Beterbiev, and the champion Stevenson. That only leaves Pascal and Ward, and Ward is barely active at all, let alone ready for Sergey. However, this fight was a one-sided beating the first time around, and it will end earlier the second time. Just a time killer, and considering that Kovalev hasn't fought in 6 months, and that was a useless mandatory... it is time being wasted, for sure.
Pacquiao vs. Bradley. Pacquiao is only fighting one last time for money and legacy, so why on earth did he pick the worst possible opponent on which to go out? If he loses, it will make the weird result of the first fight look legitimate, and be a going out with a whimper, not a bang. If he wins, big deal.... we will have gotten to see him dominate the same man 3 times (even if he was robbed one of the times). This was not a huge rivalry like the Marquez quadrulogy. A fifth fight between the two of them would have made more sense. Pacquiao will also not prove that he is still superior to the newer top names, or he would have fought Khan or Crawford. Picking Bradley does nothing but ensure that Bob Arum makes the most money off the casual fan. That is why we are seeing it. Shameful.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
