Fight to watch in 2016: Past, present and future

— -- We are more than halfway through the year, and it has not been a good one overall for boxing. There have been too many pointless mismatches, too many main events offered that are barely undercard worthy, an HBO budget that has clearly been hammered and too many fighters and/or promoters or managers unwilling to make fights fans actually want to see.

Before we delve into the rest of this year, it would be unfair not to mention that there have been some good fights and cards, including three memorable battles in which fighters were happily willing to challenge themselves against top opposition, and in each case, the loser elevated his career and reputation.

The past

The clear fight of the year contenders are, in my view (and in order):

Francisco Vargas D12 Orlando Salido