By Dave Sholler

In my column last week, I unveiled four bouts I’d like to see take place in 2009. For those who missed it, you can check it out here: https://www.boxingscene.com/?m=show&id=17634.

The response to the piece was outstanding. BoxingScene readers emailed me throughout the busy New Year’s week with their thoughts on Hopkins-Valuev, Williams-Forrest, and particularly Cotto-Pacquiao. However, most sent snippets on bouts they are hungry to see in the next 365 days.

With that said, we’ve decided to take a look at three of the most requested bouts for 2009. We’ll dissect the possibilities surrounding each bout and give you a prediction as to whether BoxingScene reader’s dreams will come true this year.

BERNARD HOPKINS (49-5-1, 32 KOs) vs. CHAD DAWSON (27-0, 17 KOs)

With Joe Calzaghe dismissing a rematch with Hopkins, as well as potential clash with the young gun Dawson, fans believe the next best match at light heavyweight is B-Hop vs. Bad Chad. We love the idea.

For Dawson, a fight with Hopkins would mean another opportunity to fight a legitimate former champion. Having dispatched of Glen Johnson and Antonio Tarver last year, Hopkins would seem like the logical next step for the 26-year-old.

After destroying Kelly Pavlik in October, Hopkins proved that he could hang with the sport’s young bucks. Still, he’s remained mostly silent on the prospects of fighting Dawson. Historically, that points to Hopkins passing on the fight. Could Dawson be just a little too sound for Hopkins, who used his boxing prowess to pick apart a technically inept Pavlik?

WILL IT HAPPEN IN 2009? We think so. Dawson has a contractually mandated rematch with Tarver in March and bet your bottom dollar that Hopkins will be watching. If Dawson struggles even a little bit with Tarver, Hopkins will be more than willing to fight Dawson by summer. When “The Executioner” smells blood, even age can’t keep him from the ring. We’re not saying that Dawson will struggle with Tarver, but if he does, Hopkins will be enticed.

ANTONIO MARGARITO (37-5, 27 KOs) vs. PAUL WILLIAMS (36-1, 27 KOs)

We would be lying if we said that we expected multiple emails regarding a Margarito-Williams rematch. Much to our surprise though, many people think a rematch would truly crown the best 147-pound fighter in the world. Considering the current rankings, we think they’re right.

Margarito proved in his win over Miguel Cotto last July that he is one of the most relentless boxers on the planet. For 11 brutal rounds, Margarito took and delivered some of the most vicious punches of 2008. In the end, he stood as the new WBA champion. After besting Cotto, he’d have to be considered the best, right?

According to the BoxingScene faithful, wrong. Thanks to Williams’ 2007 victory over Margarito, the road to welterweight domination seemingly runs through “The Punisher.” Williams, a lanky southpaw who fought in three weight divisions last year, suffered his first professional setback against Carlos Quintana in 2008, but quickly rebounded and looked better than ever.

With Floyd Mayweather Jr. retired, there are many who believe that Williams-Margarito II is the only way to settle the 147-pound debate.

WILL IT HAPPEN IN 2009? It’s highly unlikely. For starters, Margarito is scheduled to face Shane Mosley on Jan. 24 and then is slated for a rematch with Cotto in the summer. The two fights, coupled with the Mexican’s growing disinterest in fighting Williams again, seem to serve as the biggest roadblocks.

Regardless of where Margarito stands, we know Williams is game for another shot at Margarito. The Aiken, SC is tired of being ducked and wants to prove that he’s the best fighter from welterweight to middleweight. Another gritty win over Margarito would go a long way in solidifying that point.

ISRAEL VAZQUEZ (43-4, 31 KOs) vs. RAFAEL MARQUEZ (37-5, 33 KOs)

Apparently, fight fans just can’t get enough of these two inside the same ring. If a trilogy waged by the two warriors wasn’t enough, the BoxingScene faithful emailed that they wouldn’t mind seeing the bout for a fourth time.

To date, neither fighter has completely dismissed the idea. However, several interesting matches have been presented, particularly to Vazquez. As we pitched last week, a fight with super bantamweight rising star Juan Manuel Lopez would be epic and remains a possibility. A bout with Celestino Caballero would also be entertaining and has been discussed. But would those fights be more lucrative than Vazquez-Marquez IV?

WILL IT HAPPEN IN 2009? There is a remote chance. Odds are that Vazquez will consider moving up in weight, but there are three solid fights at super bantamweight worth taking. If we had to predict how Vazquez’s year will play out, we think he’ll fight twice in 2009. He’ll fight Caballero by summer and barring injury, fight again by Thanksgiving. If Lopez continues to ascend, he’ll get the nod for a Nov. 2009 fight.

Should the Puerto Rican falter at any time in the New Year though, Vazquez may sign on for part four of his war with Marquez. Obviously, much of this plan changes should Marquez be the one who fights the IBF/WBA champion Caballero first.

STIFF JABS: I may be alone, but Winky Wright vs. Paul Williams fulfills my thirst for a classic southpaw vs. southpaw chess match. Call me a purist, but I think I’d enjoy watching the two try to figure each other out…Glen Johnson is a public relations machine. His letter to Joe Calzaghe was sharp, witty, and provocative. The Welshman will most likely ignore Johnson’s prodding, but we like the attempt…Our early prediction for 2009 Fighter of the Year? Antonio Margarito…Oh, and we think Evander Holyfield will actually earn a world title this year. Hey, if Valuev can throw zero punches and remain champ, anyone can do it.

Dave Sholler is a columnist for newspapers across the country. Reach him at shollerholla4@hotmail.com