This Week in Boxing - Future looks Bright for the Sport

Boxing Rumor Roundup

Two weeks ago, there was a collective groan amongst boxing betting fanatics at the lack of quality matchups in the coming months. Several heavyweight title bouts were either cancelled or fell through, and injuries and contractual disagreements threatened to squash any hopes of the few mega fights on the rise.

What a difference a week can make!

• boxing odds favor Pacquiao. Knowing this, the Cotto camp appears unhappy and has not yet signed the dotted line for the WBO. Obviously, the allure of this bout went further than just two marquee names getting into the ring - Pacquiao would be chasing a seventh world title in as many weight classes.
  
  
• IBF cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek is reportedly moving up to heavyweight to chase bigger dollar figures. This has not been confirmed, however there have been whispers of Adamek stepping up for months, as he was even an option to face Wladimir Klitschko when Ruslan Chagaev was unfit to take part in their scheduled title fight. This would unfortunately deny those who bet on boxing the pleasure of watching the Adamek-Steve Cunningham rematch for the IBF strap.
  
  
• After Amir Khan upset Andreas Kotelnik on boxing odds last weekend, there are rumors that the new champion could be parting ways with promoter Frank Warren. Freddie Roach stated in an interview that Khan has “fought his last fight for Frank Warren.” However, in the past few days, Warren has also been taunting Ricky Hatton, and suggesting a clash with Khan.
  
  
• With no other fights on the horizon, fringe stars Kelly Pavlik and Paul Williams are in talks about a possible fight before the end of the year. Pavlik’s promoter Bob Arum has a longstanding feud with Williams’ advisor Al Haymon, which appears to be the biggest roadblock in getting this deal done. Williams has stated that he is willing to fight anyone within a span of nearly four weight classes, while Pavlik has been somewhat selective of his opponents, seemingly looking for an easy fight that will also appeal to HBO. With no such fight in existence, he might have to take the toughest test possible in Williams in order to get a network slot. Oddsmakers would likely favor Pavlik on boxing odds given his higher name value, however Williams may be the most talented man in the sport today.