What I Want to See in 2009

At this time of year it is common-place for commentators of all interests to make predictions as to what is to happen in the upcoming year: which new band is going to make a break through; how Gordon Brown’s year will play out; and which young starlets will break through into Premiership stardom?

This post is along a similar vein, though I am going to look forward and suggest what I would like to see happen in 2009...

The Lions in South Africa: After the last time this unique team visited the Springboks a hugely entertaining series ensued against the then World Champions, highlighted with Jeremy Guscott’s winning drop goal in the second test. This time the combined forces of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales visit the new World Champions to try and achieve the same feat. Ian McGeechan will lead the side for the fourth time with his last time out being the tour of 1997 along with a very potent coaching set-up of Warren Gatland, Shawn Edwards, Rob Howley and Graham Rowntree.

South Africa in their own backyard are going to be a mammoth task but after the autumn there were signs that McGeechan should look favourably upon. Both Scotland and Wales ran the Boks close, and when bolstered by the strengths of Ireland and England the Lions will be a highly formidable force.

The pack and especially the back row will be a key battleground, and I think Wales and potentially Lions captain Ryan Jones will play a crucial role. Likewise the contest of arguably the two best wingers in world rugby at the moment – Bryan Habana and Shane Williams – will ultimately decide the battle.

What I want to happen is a close series, removed from the politics of the 2005 New Zealand tour, with fast, expansive rugby, ultimately resulting in a repeat of 1997 and a 2-1 Lions victory going down to the final test.

The Ashes: I hope the Ashes can catch the imagination of the British public as it did in 2005: but with inflated ticket prices, and the series not being broadcast on terrestrial television I fear that this won’t be the case. I am also concerned that the Twenty-20 World Cup which takes place in England immediately after the Tests will turn the new cricket fans away from the 5-day form of the game in favour for the shortened, shotgun version.

Focussing on the pitch, I want to see the same excitement that was so prevalent when Michael Vaughan and his men won the urn three-and-a-half years ago. Australia are a far weakener side with the losses of Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath and Adam Gilchrist - who they are struggling to replace – missing not just their ability but also their personalities and fear which they struck into oppositions. Likewise England aren’t as strong as they were, but after an encouraging Test series against India, and what should be two winning series against the West Indies, England should reclaim the Ashes.

I want to see a dominant England, with a cutting edge that they have been lacking to close out matches. I would love to see the emergence of Stuart Broad as a high class all-rounder. The Notts and England bowler has all the potential to fill a roll similar to Ian Botham, Freddie Flintoff and give the tail-end that extra bit of batting stiffness as Adam Gilchrist did for the Auzzies for so many years.

British Boxing: Boxing is often revered as being violent and barbaric. In many ways it is not too far removed from the Coliseum and the Gladiators in Rome 2,000 years ago. However, others see it as the most glorious of contests, and whoever has their hand held aloft in the centre of the ring is a hero. After witnessing the epic struggle between Carl Froch and Jean Pascal first hand, I have been fully converted, and cannot wait for what should be a very exciting year for British Boxing.

Firstly there is the ‘old guard’ – Joe Calzaghe and Ricky Hatton. It is yet to be seen what will be Joe Calzaghe’s next step. In many ways he doesn’t and shouldn’t fight again: he has a record of 45-0; he has been one of the longest reigning world champions of recent years, holding the WBO Super-Middleweight belt for 10 years; and he has now started promoting his own events. Any fight will have to make the Welshman big bucks. Perhaps a rematch against Roy Jones Jnr. or Bernard Hopkins at light-heavyweight being the most likely option before his eventual retirement. For Hatton, on the other hand, 2009 looks much more exciting. After good wins against Americans Juan Lazcano and Paulie Malignaggi, The Hitman seemingly has the options of who to fight. Arguably the best pound-for-pound fighter at the moment Manny Pacquiao could be a possible opponent in the Philippines or the US, or his victim towards the end of year – Oscar de la Hoya – could come over to the UK, with much talk about a summer stadium fight at either Eastlands - Hatton’s beloved Man City ground - or Wembley Stadium in London.

Enter the new crop of talent: as already mentioned, Nottingham’s finest Carl ‘the Cobra’ Froch has an exciting year ahead of him. Having claimed a world title, he now has the opportunity to fight and become a marquee fighter. A possible fight against Jermaine Taylor, Lucien Bute or even Mikkel Kessler has been mentioned - but a British showdown on the scale of Benn versus Eubank is what Froch and Nottingham are hoping for, with a bout against Calzaghe. Equally, David Haye has already managed to catapult his way to the top of the heavyweight division after defeating Enzo Maccarinelli to unify the world cruiserweight belts, and then making the step up a division to knock out Monte Barrett. Haye, who promotes himself under Haymaker Promotions, is a character that the heavyweight division has been lacking. His confidence and charm is endearing, as he has managed to entice Vitali Klitschko into a fight which will take place in June somewhere in London. This isn't to mention Amir Khan or Olympic champion James DeGale amongst others at a very exciting time for the sport in the UK.

To see Calzaghe against Froch would be the highlight for any British boxing fan this year, possibly at the City Ground, Nottingham or at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium. After all of the sledging that has gone between the two, there would be no love lost and both men would not leave without their heart and soul having been put to the limits. However, with much for Calzaghe to lose on this fight I don’t see it happening. Rather he will take another fight at light-heavy against a weak but big name boxer such as Roy Jones Jnr. and slip into retirement. Froch will probably have to make do with a fight to tie him over, perhaps against Jeff Lacy or Anthony Mundane, which would hopefully set up a big fight at the end of the year once he is better known by the American public. As for Hatton, I think a fight at Wembley against de la Hoya is a prospect too exciting to turn down. He should win, which would lead to a a match-up against one of the top fighters like Pacquiao or a return for Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Haye is the most interesting of the four; he is not unjustified to be in his position, but his mouth has got him a long way – which is fantastic for the fan. I would love to see him defeat Klitschko to set up an epic war between both brothers and the Hayemaker to spark some life into the heavyweight division – but we will have to see if he can pull off an amazing victory in the summer before we talk of that.

England Football: As far as the England football team goes I have very little to say about them. Simply, I want to be able to feel pride when supporting them, rather than feeling ashamed that a bunch of pre-Madonna’s are representing my country. Players who failed to even qualify for the last tournament as they would rather be playing for their clubs, or holidaying in Magaluf then bleeding for their country, and giving everything to win. Fabio Capello seems to be instilling this into the team a little more. I think he is the man to remind the England players, despite being Italian, of the meaning of wearing three lions on your shirt.

***

There are many other things that I could have written about: Andy Murray and Wimbledon, or as last year proved, more likely the US Open; Lewis Hamilton’s defence of his F1 crown; also the coverage of Beijing’s Olympic champions – or perhaps the reality which will see them drift into the obscurity for another four years. What is sure though, is that 2009 will throw up drama and debate, joy and despair as we anxiously wait on to see whether what we want to happen, will.

Will Gilgrass - 29th December 2008