A few picks for a New Year

By Norm Frauenheim-

Predictions are like punches. Some land. Many miss. Some are wild. A few are silly. Some are feints. Some are cheap. A year later, most don’t matter.

A few from every angle for 2019:

· One fight on the schedule is already creating a buzz. Mikey Garcia takes a risk on March 16 against Errol Spence, a big welterweight with the division’s biggest punch. Garcia, whose natural weight is at 135 and 140, loses a decision, but makes it interesting with skill that helps him elude the . The scorecard decision creates momentum for two fights many fans have wanted to see for a couple of years:

· Spence-versus- in the biggest 147-bout in years. Talks between rival promoters – Premier Boxing (PBC) for Spence and Top Rank for Crawford – are problematic. But momentum means money and it would be there amid the intrigue created by Spence-Garcia.

· Garcia-versus-Vasiliy Lomachenko. It’s a fight that captivates the public imagination. It pits Garcia’s fundamental skill against Lomachenko’s creativity. Against Lomachenko, Garcia is bigger, meaning an advantage in power. Jorge Linares knocked down Lomachenko, who sustained a shoulder injury. Again, talks might be trouble. Top Rank promotes Lomachenko. Garcia is an ex-Top Rank fighter. But money solves a lot of differences.

· - II. Controversy over the Dec. 1 draw and 12th-round drama dictates an immediate rematch. will have to wait. But this time Fury won’t get up. The fight at Los Angeles’ Staples Center was Fight-of-the- Year worthy for the astonishing way Fury recovered from a crushing right-left combo. In the sequel, Wilder promises to be at least 20 pounds heavier. He was at 209 at opening bell. That’ll mean more leverage — more power — on punches that to figure land all over again.

· Oleksandr Usyk. The 2018 will celebrate his Fighter-of-the-Year award with an immediate impact at against a veteran contender. Luis Ortiz? He’ll be impressive enough to make Joshua wait even longer.

· . Rumors about a comeback won’t go away. He’ll be 35 on February 23. He retired unbeaten (32-0), suggesting that there’s still something left to do in his Hall of Fame career. But a return to light-heavy or an attempt at cruiser – it rhymes with snoozer – might not be worthwhile. Heavyweight would generate interest and money. One look at Usyk, however, might be another reason for Ward to sidestep the questions.

· Adrien Broner. Only his warrants are outstanding. His performances in the ring have been disappointing and there’s not much reason to believe that will change much against 40- year-old on Jan. 19.

· Pacquiao. An impressive victory over Broner would lead to talk about tougher challenges, including a fight against the winner of Spence-Garcia. Pacquiao against either would be easy to do because all three are linked to PBC. Then, of course, there will be the inevitable speculation about a rematch with Floyd Mayweather Jr. · Mayweather. He’ll say he’s retired and then say something that sets social media on fire with talk of Pacquiao and a comeback. Mayweather loves attention. He loves money even more. In 2019, however, he runs out of gimmicks or at least mixed-martial artists who would fight him blindfolded. On New Year’s Eve, he beats a Japanese kickboxer who isn’t allowed to kick?? Those are rules that lead to talk of a fix. What’s next? Who’s next? Pacquiao. But that rematch figures to be a little bit like - II in 1989. Forgot that one? You’ll forget Pacquiao-Mayweather too.

· Canelo Alvarez- III. Has to happen, right? But there’s not been much news about GGG. After his disputed loss by decision to Canelo in September, it looks as if he would need at least one tune-up, perhaps in early spring. Seemingly, that would eliminate the May date on Canelo’s schedule. But it leaves Mexico’s September holiday as a possibility. Canelo’s landmark $365-million deal with DAZN might make it happen.

Happy New Year.

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