In The Corner 5

            In the Corner is back, and I have a lot to talk about. This week we feature Bob Arum’s next moves with his welterweights, Golovkin, Rios-Alvarado, and more.

            Gennady Golovkin did he was supposed to do Saturday night, beat Ishida. Once again he did it in a fashion that left fans itching for him to get in a big fight. I believe Golovkin has proved that he is ready for the big stage, and now he must try to find an opponent that will fight him. The two main guys at 160 are off the list. Chavez Jr. and Arum seem to have their mind made up about his next opponent so Golovkin will not get that matchup. Fans are also itching for a Martinez-Golovkin showdown, well don’t hold your breathe. Dibella doesn’t seem interested in the fight just yet. There are some other names that wouldn’t be as big in the US but might be big elsewhere. Danny Geale, Felix Sturm, and Dmitry Pirog are all names that might spark some interest over in Europe. I know the fans are itching, but it looks as though they are going to have to wait a few more fights to see Golovkin in a high profile fight in the U.S.

            Andre Ward is back in training and may be ready to sign a fight with someone. Big problem here…who? Ward has cleared out the entire weight class at 168, so much so that a rematch with any of them isn’t interesting because of the way he dominated each fight. At 175 a fight against the Bute-Pascal winner would be a different opponent but how much draw can it bring from the fans? Unless someone like Martinez or Golovkin moves up, Ward is on the verge of fighting a ‘good’ fighter at 168 or 175 that will not threaten him. It may not be a bad idea for a comeback fight off of a serious injury. After that though, Ward’s team needs to find a big match-up somewhere. He has interest in Chavez Jr, but will Chavez move up, and where does that leave Martinez in the fall. We’ll see.

            One guy that isn’t going to have a hard time finding matchups is Bob Arum. Now that his main fighters have all fought, it’s time to start pairing them off. Look for Marquez-Bradley to face off this summer. Pacquiao will most likely take that fight in Dubai in September. I expect that fight to be against Alvarado or Rios. Depending on who Pacquiao gets, I’m assuming the other will get Provodnikov. Pacquiao-Rios in Dubai and Alvarado-Provodnikov in Denver? Possibly. Weights might be an issue but I’m sure it could be worked out. There’s also a chance he throws Terence Crawford and Jessie Vargas in the mix. I’m sure by the end of April all his matchups will be set and the fans will love it either way.

            Speaking of Rios-Alvarado, what a fight! I didn’t expect Alvarado to box the entire fight although I did think he would win. Interesting thing here, I might take Rios in the third matchup. It’s just that kind of fight where each fight someone different could win. Rios needs to work allowing his jab to get him on the inside. Alvarado gave the blueprint to beat him, and Alvarado actually isn’t a great boxer while he’s backing up. He’s a slugger and pressure guy, and if Alvarado could outbox Rios, there are a lot of good counter punchers that would give him hell. Rios is successful when he uses the jab to get in, and he’s a fan friendly fighter. No matter who Rios is fighting the entire boxing world is going to watch because of how exciting he is inside of that ring. 2013 Gatti? I think so. Alvarado proved he can stick to a game plan, which is dangerous for his opponents in the future.

            April and May frenzy! After Top Rank completes their big fights next week with Donaire-Rigondeaux on April 13th, it’s Golden Boy’s turn to put on some shows beginning with Canelo-Trout on April 20^th, Danny Garcia vs Zab Judah on April 27^th, Floyd Mayweather vs Robert Guerrero on May 4^th, and Lucas Matthysse vs Lamont Peterson with Devon Alexander vs Kell Brook on the undercard on May 18^th. There’s also Shawn Porter vs Phil Lo Greco on that card. It’s not over there. Other interesting fights in April and May are Tyson Fury vs Steve Cunningham on April 20^th, Carl Froch vs Mikkel Kessler and Lucian Bute vs Jean Pascal. Plus many good undercard bouts to these fights. Get ready fight freaks!