New Year New Hype

Seeing Manny Pacquaio have his way with Antonio Margarito, not to take away from the fight, ultimately will spell the effective end of the 2010 boxing “season” in terms of big time hubbub surrounding the biggest names in the sport. Despite a solid effort my Margarito, it seems the yeah is ending with something less than a spectacle. Finally getting used to the idea that Mayweather vs. Pacquaio is forever off the table, only an entire 8 months after the supposed fight was tentatively scheduled, it’s time to finally bury this horse, beaten to death by pundits, including yours truly, and move on to the year 2011 and the exciting big picture ticket in store.January looks to start the year off with a powerful shot to the temple, immediately making up for much of the disappointment seen by fight fans this year. Though both fighters have flown somewhat under the radar as compared to outspoken Mayweather and national hero Pacquaio, the early year matchup (1/29/11) between Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander is an fight worthy of the world’s attention. At 27 years old, with 26 wins in 27 fights and 1 no contest, Bradley is currently the WBO World Light Welterweight Champion. Alexander on the other hand, just 23, brings a clean sheet of his own, winning 21 of 21 fights in which he’s appeared. Alexander the Great as he is known across the sport, reigns as the WBC Light Welterweight Champion. Both belts are at stake in this epic matchup, pitting two fighters who could very well challenge, if not beat, either Pacquaio or Mayweather.So as Thanksgiving approaches, let’s quit griping about what we haven’t seen. Rather, let’s look forward to and be thankful for a brand new year of boxing. A year in which two up and coming fighters are setting a precedent by giving the crowd what it wants and putting their record on the line for a shot at greatness.