The Four biggest question marks for '08

    After the second half of the year 2007 answered more questions about the state of boxing than 36 minutes of watching Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya did, it also makes the following year the more amusing to peak into. And although the fabulous match-ups that filled the end of the year '07 answered almost every question in which fight fans were begging to be answered at the year's beginning, there still are many more going into '08. However, right off the bat, boxing has produced a scintillating rundown of mouth-watering match-ups to keep its positive streak going and to apply answers to the remaining lingering question marks in which we shall face this year.

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1. Can "Tito" Trinidad amount a successful comeback against Roy Jones and once again become one of the biggest attractions in the sport?

This one to me is simple, although many will probably disagree with me. I do not believe Trinidad will have any chance against Jones nor at a successful future in this sport. One reason, I don't see "Tito" being able to get down to junior-middle or welterweight any time soon, his two strongest and best weights. In those divisions he was able to use his resounding punching power, with his exceptional height and reach (at least at welter) to establish himself as a good boxer and a difficult target, as well as a vaunted puncher. But that may not be the case anymore. At middleweight he retained his power, but not his confidence and pride as a result of a beatdown to the hands of Bernard Hopkins. Then, after a two-year lay-off it took seven-plus rounds to finally drop and stop the undersized Ricardo Mayorga before once again being easily fended off and decisively beaten by Winky Wright. Why Trinidad believes he can come off his mediocre past combined with a two-year layoff and defeat Roy Jones is beyond me. Granted, Jones is not the pound-for-pound king anymore, not even close. I think that point was well made after subsequent losses to Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. However, a pair of wins against Prince Badi Ajamu and the somewhat dangerous Anthony Hanshaw has probably done a lot to restore Jones's confidence and therefore have enough faith in himself to go out in what will probably be the last big money fight of his career against "Tito" and dominate the fight.

2. Can Manny Pacquiao defeat Juan Manuel Marquez?

In one of the most awaited fights since May of '04 (the date of their first fight), we are very fortunate the fight has come off at the perfect time. It has taken almost four years, but these two fighters, who had a roller-coaster type career since their bout, have finally found themselves physically, and mentally in their primes. Therefore, this fight is about as ripe as it can get. Manny Pacquiao, since Marquez, has evolved into a two-fisted puncher, developing a right hook which at times can be just as dangerous as his left. Amid the fact that in the period of time between his fight with Marquez and right now that he has registered a pair of knockouts over Erik Morales and a decisive victory over Marco Antonio Barrera, Marquez is still the most dangerous man in the world to the Filipino legend. Although Pacquiao has beaten great tactical boxers, Marquez is such a genius in there, that there isn't a single mistake Pacquiao can make and get away with. Marquez, unlike faded legends in Morales and Barrera, can also capitalize on a shot and hurt you with his counter. I see Marquez winning the same way in which he got so close to doing in their first encounter, being able to slow down Pacquiao's momentum with his relaxed style and picking off Pacquiao as he lunges in. The only difference for Marquez is that he may hurt Pacquiao this time if Pacquiao makes too many mistakes. But the "Pacman" is always dangerous with his punching power and is quick enough to deserve a serious chance in defeating Marquez even if Marquez is at his peak. I expect a great fight.  

3. Will Miguel Cotto be considered the undisputed welterweight champion after this year is over?

Going into this year, I think Miguel Cotto is the best welterweight in the world. Solidifying his claim and becoming undisputed champion is another story. To do this he still has a handful of dangerous champions and contenders who have the same intentions, and also keep in mind that this is being rightfully considered one of the best era's of welterweights in a long time. However, Cotto's plan for '08 is to secure a fight with Antonio Margarito, and by doing that he has to kill time by annihilating Alfonso Gomez in a fight which has unfortunately been stated is going to come off. And if it comes off, it is by far not a gimme. If Cotto comes out victorious afterwards it will definitely help to bring him to the position of undisputed welterweight king, but there's also Paul Williams, Kermit Cintron, and possibly even Floyd Mayweather to deal with. So unfortunately for Miguel, this year may answer a lot of questions on his behalf, but I don't see it crowning Cotto the label of the true welterweight champion.

4. Can anyone derail Juan Diaz's path to superstardom let alone the undisputed lightweight title?

Okay, maybe superstardom is a little bit of an overstatement but besides an excellent junior-welterweight, I don't see any threats to Juan Diaz's undefeated streak this year, and his path to his goal of becoming undisputed lightweight champion seems to be well secured. "The Baby Bull" will be going up against the best fighters he's probably ever faced this year but I see him prevailing the way he usually does, by out-gritting and out-lasting top-notch opposition and breaking their spirits towards the end. Although this may be difficult against a runner like Casamayor or a good all-around fighter like a Nate Campbell, Diaz,, if matched with the best, should beat the best and the anxious lightweight shouldn't have trouble with securing fights with the way his career has been going up to date. It should play out as a great year for Juan, and maybe, just maybe will he rank among the most heralded prizefighters in the world at the years conclusion.