Great boxing fights are few and far between in modern pugilism. The increase of popularity in the UFC and lack of exciting fights have spelled a decrease in boxing popularity. The Klitschko brothers have been partially blamed for this low in boxing having sealed up the division between them and choosing to never fight each means we will not a have a unified champion for the foreseeable. The failure to reach an agreement between two of the most popular fighters in the world Mayweather-Pacquiao has also been bad for the sport. However in the coming months there are some great and exciting matches in boxing which may help the image and popularity of the sport massively. Without much further ado, take a look at these five exciting matches coming up soon.
5. Manny Pacquiao vs. Brandon Rios
These two fighters have a lot to prove in this contest after both suffering defeats in there last match. This match is one of the most important matches in the legendary career of the Filipino fighter Manny Pacquiao, Manny has lost in his last two matches against Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez. Another loss against Brandon Rios and he could be looking at retirement as he is now thirty four years old. This will be the first fight in six years outside of the USA for the Pacman and a change of scenery may be what the fighter needs. This match will take place in October of this year at the Cotai Arena in China. This will be a hard fight for Pacquiao with Rios only being defeated once in his career against Mike Alvarado in an ill fated rematch. Rios is younger and taller than Pacquiao but does not have the same power and speed that the Pacman, for this reason I think Pacquiao will win on a decision win. On a side note, Pacquiao has agreed to random drug testing for this bout, something Mayweather has been demanding from the fighter since 2010. This could set up a long awaited match between Mayweather-Pacquiao.
" Only in death will I relinquish my belts" - Manny Pacquiao,