Rematches hold a special appeal for boxing fans because usually, they take place for one of two reasons; the first fight provided a dramatic upset or it was so entertaining there remains a demand to see the combatants go at it again.
Of course there is a third reason why some fights generate rematches – money. In that vein, rumours persist of a Floyd Mayweather – Manny Pacquiao rematch to open the new arena at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas next May. And while this likely remains the biggest rematch (and biggest fight) that could be made in boxing right now, in reality does anybody actually want to see it?
With that in mind, here are five rematches we actually do want to see:
- Marco Huck – Krzysztof Glowacki
The PBC series may only be in its infancy but that has not spared it from judgement, with many of the fights being harshly criticised. With the sheer volume of cards, it often goes unnoticed that PBC has produced some excellent fights, none more so than Marco Huck’s U.S. debut against Pole Krzysztof Glowacki.
Huck was looking to make history by surpassing Johnny Nelson’s record for most cruiserweight title defences and was facing the unbeaten and relatively unknown Glowacki, who had never fought outside of Poland. In a bout with many twists and turns, both fighters were knocked down before Glowacki finished the stunned champion with a brutal assault in the 11th round.
An ideal set up for a rematch is already in place; a long reigning titlist upset by an unbeaten challenger with a stunning knockout after a thrilling fight, the only question is will we get one? Glowacki was a mandatory challenger and Huck did not have a rematch clause. But given the nature of the loss, he may not have wished for an immediate rematch anyway.
If Huck needs a fight or two to rebuild, and Glowacki can retain his title, a rematch some time towards the end of 2016 or beginning of 2025 could become an easy sell, either in Europe or on the PBC platform in the U.S.
- Lee Selby – Stephen Smith
This rematch may be a year or two down the line but it’s one that could be a very big draw in the U.K. and has some interesting history behind it. Entering their first meeting four years ago, Stephen Smith was the bigger name and considered the brighter prospect. He was unbeaten and held both the British and Commonwealth featherweight titles. Fighting in Liverpool’s Olympia, Stephen drew big support as a member of the Liverpool boxing’s royal family – the Smiths.
Lee Selby was the Welsh upstart who had already suffered defeat in his young career and was entering the fight as a strong underdog. A stunning Selby uppercut in the 8th round ended the fight and altered the career trajectory of both men.
Smith had to regroup and rebuild, moving up in weight and is only now on the verge of a world title shot that seemed around the corner in 2011. Selby on the other hand went from strength to strength, capturing the IBF world title in May and is now preparing to take America by storm.
Although currently campaigning in different divisions, the prospect of a rematch remains on Smith’s radar as he recently told boxingscene that, “It’s a fight I’d never back away from because he’s the only man to beat me. It’d be a massive fight.”
Selby has unfinished business at 126 pounds but at 5’ 8”, the Welshman certainly has the frame to move up to super-featherweight and the prospect of potentially taking on Smith for a world title in a second division is surely a tempting one.
- Amir Khan – Danny Garcia
Amir Khan has wasted much of the last three years of his career. His July 2012 loss to Danny Garcia did require him to take some time to rebuild as he changed trainer in the hope that Virgil Hunter would improve his defences. That rebuild has long since been completed, and although defensive frailties appear to remain, Khan has not moved decisively forward with his career.
He has been loitering around the 147 pound division, waiting for a call from Floyd Mayweather that never came. Now with Mayweather finally off his mind, Khan should be looking to take on any and all top contenders in the welterweight division. But instead he appears to be falling back into the same old routine, turning down opportunities to fight Kell Brook and Ruslan Provodnikov in the hope of landing Manny Pacquiao.
Khan should look to avenge the one career defeat that most badly needs avenging. Danny Garcia announced himself as a force in the light welterweight division that night he separated Khan from his senses. He has now re-joined Khan in the 147 pound class and both will have eyes on succeeding Floyd Mayweather as the king of the division.
Either man could steal a march on the competition by winning a rematch but for Khan in particular, the chance to avenge a damaging loss is something all top fighters should crave. Garcia for his part would surely fancy his chances to repeat his victory. And apart from the significance of a rematch, it’s easy to forget that the first fight was an excellent action fight with Khan landing freely in the early rounds before Garcia’s power caught up to him.
- Artur Beterbiev – Sergey Kovalev
The U.K. is seeing how a rivalry from the amateurs can translate into a much anticipated professional rematch as the hype continues to grow around Anthony Joshua’s upcoming showdown with amateur foe Dillian Whyte. Well, Russia has its own equivalent. Sergey Kovalev has laid waste to the 175 pound division over the past three years, collecting the IBF and WBO titles as well as potentially ending the legendary career of Bernard Hopkins.
With super-middleweight kingpin Andre Ward seemingly more inclined to eventually face Gennady Golovkin and WBC light-heavyweight titleholder Adonis Stevenson confining his battles with Kovalev to the safety of Twitter, Sergey is beginning to run out of willing and viable opponents.
Enter Artur Beterbiev. Since turning professional in 2013, Beterbiev has wasted little time making a name for himself. A 9-0 record with all 9 wins coming by knockout and an impressive two round destruction of former champion Tavoris Cloud, Beterbiev is rapidly gaining ground on his compatriot. Should he defeat Sullivan Barrera in his next fight, he will become the mandatory challenger for Kovalev’s IBF crown, potentially setting up a highly anticipated clash of Russian powerhouses.
Much of the desire to see this all-Russian affair stems from the two amateur victories Beterbiev holds over the seemingly indestructible “Krusher”. Could Beterbiev repeat his amateur success or will Kovalev earn his revenge? The prospect of seeing Kovalev taking on an opponent who has beaten him and one who could potentially stand up to his power is an exciting one.
The back and forth between them suggests the fighters are certainly keen, but the legal wrangling between Main Events (who promote Kovalev) and Al Haymon (who advises Beterbiev) could scupper this rematch of amateur foes.
- Tim Bradley – Ruslan Provodnikov
Some men want rematches with a compelling back story, some men need spite or mutual disdain to generate interest but some men just want to watch the world burn. For those men, Timothy Bradley-Ruslan Provodnikov II is the number one rematch in the sport right now. Their first meeting in 2013 caught fire and torched the competition to win Fight of the Year as Tim Bradley chose to ignore his superior boxing skills and better judgement to engage “The Siberian Rocky” in a wildly entertaining brawl.
Why should there be a rematch? Well, why not? Some thirty months on from their first meeting, Bradley finds himself on the Top Rank/ HBO side of the fence with a dwindling pool of potential opponents at 147 pounds, while Ruslan Provodnikov’s style and durability has marked him as a name to avoid for most of the big names in the division.
With the futures of Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez uncertain and the improbability of making fights with Al Haymon fighters, a rematch between Provodnikov and Bradley makes sense for both fighters. Given the action-packed nature of their first fight, and the fact the result remained in the balance right up to the final bell, this is one sequel that fight fans would be delighted to see.
– Michael McCarthy / @Mlmcc86
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