The Neutral Corner

BY MIKE ROSE

I was one of the people who didn't want to see 2007 end, at least in terms of boxing. What an incredible year.

Let's see. We had Floyd Mayweather-Ricky Hatton, Kelly Pavlik-Jermain Taylor, Mayweather-Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto-Shane Mosley, Israel Vazquez-Rafael Marquez, and more.

But we're two weeks into 2008 and it's time to look ahead. So here are five fights I want to see.

1. Mayweather vs. Cotto: This is the fight all boxing fans want to see. But will it happen? The more I read about Floyd Mayweather, Mark Cuban and MMA, the more I think this will remain an impossible dream. The fight needs to happen for so many reasons. Cotto is red-hot now and needs to keep the momentum going after beating Mosley. Mayweather couldn't possibly leave boxing without taking on his greatest challenge. What a mega welterweight title fight this would be! Assuming this doesn't take place, I'd like to see .....

2. De La Hoya vs. Cotto: This makes sense. Cotto is eager for a big fight and if it's not Mayweather then De La Hoya is the next best thing. Same thing with De La Hoya, this is the best big fight he can get. And with De La Hoya more than willing to drop back down to the welterweight division, I'm hopeful this fight will happen in late spring.

3. Joe Calzaghe vs. Bernard Hopkins: There has been some talk of Hopkins having a major fight in New York in 2008. How cool would it be to see Calzaghe-Hopkins at Yankee Stadium? It's possible. I could see the Stadium hosting a major fight in its final year. And who's a better promoter than Hopkins? Plus, Calzaghe easily beat Mikkel Kessler and doesn't have any challenges left in the super middleweight division.

4. Pavlik vs. Taylor: Pavlik's stunning knockout of Taylor in the first fight makes this rematch (set for Feb. 16) a very interesting one. Taylor dumped trainer Emanuel Steward and replaced him with original coach Ozell Nelson. That was a good move because Taylor did not look prepared for the first fight. He didn't attack, and seemed to be confused by what Pavlik was doing. "Nothing against Emanuel, he's a Hall of Fame trainer and a friend of mine, but what was clicking in training, wasn't clicking in the ring come fight time," Taylor said on his Web site. "Sometimes chemistry works that way." I'm eager to see if Pavlik can repeat his success from the first fight. But the rematch is at 166 pounds so no title is at stake. If Taylor wins, get ready for a trilogy.

5. Vazquez vs. Marquez: The first two fights, both in 2007, were sensational, with each fighter winning one. The rubber match takes place on March 1 for Vazquez's Ring/WBC junior featherweight title. There's no way this fight won't end in a KO.