January Boxing 2007 Schedule

2006 provided some exciting fights in several weight classes with great remembrance. The rise of Carlos Baldomir, dominant victories by Floyd Mayweather Jr, Bernard Hopkins' landslide victory of Antonio Tarver, Jermain Taylor's standing as the premiere middleweight, the return of Roy Jones Jr, the creation of the super middleweight tournament, Joe Calzaghe's rise to American stardom, the return of Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley's back to back victories over Fernando Vargas etc.. With so many good fights to remember in detail, one must wonder what
awaits in 2007.

January 5, 2007
Tony Hanshaw vs. Jean Paul Mendy
Showtime Network Television

In the previous 2006-year we saw the startup of an 8-man super middleweight tournament to determine a premiere star. Not only are Jean Paul Mendy and Tony Hanshaw the two finalists of the 168lb tournament, they are two of the divisions best and will bring their A+ game to this matchup. Menshaw is explosive, exciting and packs a punch. Not to mention his overall pedigree has labeled him as the next possible star of the division. Mendy, on the other hand, is a rigid and tough southpaw offering relentless pressure and limitless punch output. Hanshaw-Mendy calls for extreme excitement and is good for the super middleweight division which is hungry for a shooting star. The winner will emerge with the vacant IBO 168lb title.

January 6, 2007
James Toney vs. Samuel Peter - II
Showtime Network Television

When the scorecards read in favor of Samuel Peter on September 2, 2006, Goosen Tutor Promotions appealed the controversial decision and called for a return fight. Thus, the WBC sanctioning body of heavyweight affairs called for this rematch. The two heavy gladiators battled toe to toe as Toney precisely counter punched and Peter cautiously sought the KO. For Toney, the ideal of winning was never to be and Peter was granted the skinned-tooth victory.

Now the two are set to headline again. Toney is more than confident in his ability to recapture his position. A second win for Samuel Peter would stamp his name as the #1 mandatory for the WBC title held by Oleg Maskaev. At 38 years of age, James Toney is still one of the quickest and slickest heavyweights out there. He still possesses the razor sharp skills he owned at middleweight and now he's looking to capitalize on the mistakes he made in his previous bout. Could it be? With the addition of Tae Bo expert, Billy Blanks, added in his strength and conditioning category we could see some significant changes in his arsenal.

January 13, 2007
Evander Holyfield returns!
HBO Network Television

He's one of the oldest legends still existing inside of the ring. Despite receiving harsh criticisms from those inside and outside of the squared circle, he reigns on! Holyfield, 44, has scaled every mountaintop there is to scale in this cruel but ironically comforting sport. An opponent hasn't been named just yet, but given his two recent performances over Jeremy Bates and Fres Oquendo who's to say what he'll do. Good luck to him and God bless him in pursuit of another world title.

January 20, 2007
HBO Network Television
Ricky Hatton vs. Juan Urango

Former WBA 147lb champion, Ricky "Hitman" Hatton (41-0 30KOs) has decided to relocate back down to 140lbs to challenge Juan Urango (17-0-1 13KOs) for the IBF Junior welterweight title.

After Hatton's successful domination of Kostya Tsyzu in 2005 and capturing the IBF version of the title that June, five months later, he's knocking out Carlos Maussa in England for the WBA championship. On May 13, 2006, he barely slipped by a crafty Luis Collazo to capture another world title, this time at 147lbs. Since then, he's been inactive and looking for a marquee opponent. Well on January 20, 2007 he'll get just that request when he faces a tough customer in Juan Urango. Urango, 26, captured the vacated IBF 140lb title after defeating Nauofel Ben Rabah in June.

January 27, 2006
HBO Television
Jorge Arce vs. Julio David Roque Ler

Super flyweight sensation Jorge Arce returns to the ring. He's gone undefeated in the last eight years. Can Roque Ler provide enough heat to melt Arce's slick and icy competitive forte?

What better way than to begin the new year fresh with several exciting matchups ranging from Super flyweight up to the land of heavyweights. With already several matchups in the making, expect to see some of your favorites: De-La Hoya, Calzaghe, Mayweather, Mosley, Barrera, Pacquiao, and the return of Bernard Hopkins!