2002 BOUTS MIGHT BE UNMATCHED.

Byline: MICHAEL ROSENTHAL

A new year always provides the promise of compelling matchups. Here are 10 we're dying to see in 2002:

--1. Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson: Lewis wins easy; he's too big, too good for the Tyson of today. Lewis will do to Tyson what he did to Hasim Rahman in the second fight, although Tyson might last a bit longer. Still, the prefight hype and intensity come fight time will make it a memorable night. They're negotiating to meet in April.

--2. Oscar De La Hoya vs. Fernando Vargas: MAKE IT HAPPEN! The fighters' abilities and disdain for one another makes this a can't-miss gem, particularly for Angelenos. It's also a good fight for both men in terms of money and career

strategy. Don't let a measly million get in the way of everyone's fun May 4.

--3. Wladimir Klitschko vs. the Lewis-Tyson winner: Tyson might be a pretender - Klitschko isn't, or at least that's the prevailing thought. Lewis-Klitschko has the makings of a fascinating fight: a proven veteran with a questionable chin against a big, hard-punching star-in-the-making.

--4. Roy Jones Jr. vs. Dariusz Michalczewski: C'mon already. Michalczewski, the undefeated light heavyweight from Germany, says he wants the fight. He even has said he'll do it in the U.S. We'll see whether he has the guts to put that perfect record and his well-being on the line against the world's greatest fighter.

--5. Jones vs. Bernard Hopkins: We've waited longer for Jones- Michalczewski, but Jones-Hopkins is a far more intriguing fight. Jones outpointed Hopkins once but that was in 1993. Many believe Hopkins, coming off his sensational victory over Felix Trinidad, would give Jones a lot of trouble in a second meeting.

--6. Trinidad vs. the De La Hoya-Vargas winner: Trinidad will be back in the title picture soon enough. A rematch with De La Hoya would be the perfect fight for him, although few give De La Hoya much of a chance at 154 pounds. Trinidad-Vargas? Not likely, but who wouldn't watch?

--7. Shane Mosley vs. Kostya Tszyu: Tszyu is tough and experienced enough to move up a weight class and challenge Mosley at 147 pounds. Perhaps we're reaching here, but Mosley desperately needs a big fight soon. It could be a while before he lures De La Hoya, Trinidad or Vargas into the ring.

--8. Floyd Mayweather vs. the Marco Antonio Barrera-Erik Morales winner: Barrera might be too small to meet Mayweather. However, the guess here is this tough, prideful man would take the chance after he beats Morales. Maybe these two immensely skillful boxers could meet at a catch weight of 128 pounds.

--9. The WBA heavyweight champion vs. the WBC/IBF heavyweight champion: The heavyweight title should be unified. This could end up being a fight between Lewis and Kirk Johnson, who's expected to challenge for John Ruiz's WBA title.

--10. Manny Pacquiao vs. the winner of the Paulie Ayala-Bones Adams fight: Pacquiao emerged as a potential star with his smashing victory over Lehlo Ledwaba in June. He and one of these action fighters would be a terrific matchup.

--Next 10: Tim Austin vs. Mark ``Too Sharp'' Johnson; Eric Morel vs. Ricardo Lopez; Naseem Hamed vs. winner of Barrera-Morales; Mayweather vs. winner of Joel Casamayor-Acelino Freitas; Juan Lazcano vs. Angel Manfredy; Mosley vs. Zab Judah; Jones vs. Joe Calzaghe; Jones vs. Vassily Jirov; Tyson vs. David Tua; Tyson vs. Rahman.

--Ali: Will Smith was terrific as Muhammad Ali in the film ``Ali,'' which premieres Christmas Day. Several other actors - including Jon Voight as Howard Cosell - also were compelling.

However, the movie wasn't special. Director Michael Mann led us from the fighter's childhood to his knockout of George Foreman in 1974 at such a fast pace the characters never were fully developed.

Also, Ali was overglorified. Mann revealed Ali's weakness for women but left out one of the ugliest acts of Ali's life - his demonization of Joe Frazier. Ali turned Frazier's own people against him by characterizing him as an ``Uncle Tom.'' Ali recently apologized to Frazier.

On the positive side, Mann did a pretty good job of sticking to reality and the fight scenes were impressive. They were realistic and remarkably similar to the actual bouts.

It's worth the price of admission, but it won't knock you out.

--Oscar the promoter: No one can say De La Hoya is complacent about his finances.

With an eye on the future, De La Hoya announced the formation of Golden Boy Promotions, making him the first major Hispanic promoter in the United States.

De La Hoya acquired Roy Englebrecht Promotions, the successful Orange County-based promotional firm, and will oversee 30-plus Englebrecht shows in and out of California next year.

Englebrecht will remain as chief operating officer.

``Given the tremendous interest in boxing within the Hispanic community and the strong growth of the Hispanic population in the United States, I felt it was time for a Hispanic to enter the boxing promotion business in a meaningful way,'' De La Hoya said.

De La Hoya will not promote his own fights.

--Rabbit punches: Julio Diaz will face Carlos Ramirez in a 10-round lightweight bout Jan. 18 at the Hollywood Paladium, the first show on the new Telefutura network.

Diaz is coming off his first loss, to Manfredy on Oct. 6. ...

Report: Eric ``Butterbean'' Esch will fight William ``The Refrigerator'' Perry in a four-round heavyweight fight Feb. 2 in Gulfport, Miss. - emphasis on the word ``heavy.'' They could comprise the first 800-pound fight. ...

The Jay Edson Spirit Award will be presented at the final news conference for the March 2 Barrera-Morales fight.

Edson, the longtime director of boxing for Top Rank, died recently of cancer. He also was a successful referee.

--Coming up: Jesse James Leija will face Micky Ward in a 10-round junior welterweight bout Jan. 5 in San Antonio on HBO. Also, Raul Balbi will defend his WBA lightweight title against Leonard Dorin.

--On Jan. 11, on ESPN2, Eric Morel will face Ali Baba in a 10-round flyweight bout in Puerto Rico.

--On Jan. 12, on Showtime, Casamayor will defend his WBA super featherweight title against Acelino Freitas in Las Vegas. Freitas is the WBO titleholder.

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Photo:

(1 -- 2 -- color) The anticipated matchup between heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis, left, and Mike Tyson is expected in April.

Rene Macura (left), Eric Gay (right)/Associated Press