It's that time of year again.

And somewhere in New York City, former junior welterweight champion Paulie Malignaggi is scouring stores and buying last minute gifts.

Deep in the heart of Aiken, SC, the versatile Paul Williams is probably doing much of the same.

Like Malignaggi and Williams, I too am rounding out my holiday shopping requirements.

As I write this, I am already planning on standing in line at the Macy's near my home.
After all, Macy's is my lady's best friend.

Following the Macy's trip, it's off to Target to grab some gift cards and other Christmas knick-knacks.

Ah, the life of a last minute shopper.

Ain't it grand?

Speaking of grand, 2008 was a solid year of boxing.

We had super fights between Manny Pacquiao and Oscar De La Hoya, Roy Jones and Joe Calzaghe and Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.
We had upsets like Bernard Hopkins' win over Kelly Pavlik, the rise of stars like Juan Manuel Lopez, and great fights between the likes of Tomasz Adamek and Steve Cunningham, too.

All in all, there was little to complain about this year.
As we prepare to wrap up our presents and the year in boxing, we'd be foolish not to reveal some of the gifts we'd like to give our favorite boxers this time of year.
From dream matches to protective gear, let's take a look at what The Citizen News is giving some of the sport's competitors this holiday season.

CHAD DAWSON - Happy Holidays, Chad. For your present this year, we hope you find a suitable opponent.

With Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe looking in the other direction, the 26-year-old Dawson was forced to accept a March 14 rematch against Antonio "Magic-less" Tarver.
Wasn't it bad enough that Tarver was blown away by Dawson in October?

Did Dawson really deserve this lump of coal? Here's to wishing Dawson gets Calzaghe as a belated holiday present sometime next year. ItÕs highly unlikely, but the holidays are for hoping, right?

JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ - Feliz Navidad, JMM.

After you fight Juan Diaz in early 2009, let's pray you get a chance to unwrap Manny Pacquiao for a third time. Following two legendary fights with the Filipino star, we think you deserve another chance. Diaz will be a tall task to handle, but a victory will only further cement your status as one of the top five pound-for-pound fighters in the world.

PAUL WILLIAMS - Santa, can you hear me?

All Paul wants for Christmas is Antonio Margarito.

Sure, Williams will fight at any weight class. But the best fight for the Aiken, SC, native right now is a rematch with Margarito. Having already owned Tony in the first bout, "The Punisher" wouldn't mind beating the Mexican again and proving that he's the best 147-pounder on the planet.

Margarito looks busy in 2009 (Jan. 24 vs. Shane Mosley and a proposed summer rematch with Miguel Cotto), but Paul is hard to ignore. If the lanky southpaw canÕt get Margarito, will Vernon Forrest be interested at 154? How about revisiting a bout with Kelly Pavlik at 160?

DAVID HAYE - Oh David, youÕve been naughty in the trash talking department.

Hopefully, there's a good mouth guard under your Christmas tree. Given the smack you've been talking on the Klitschkos, you might need it. With your suspect chin and limited heavyweight experience, be careful what you wish for. Your desire to fight Vitali is admirable, but sparring with a retired Lennox Lewis will not solve all of your problems. Vitali will bring the heat.

Can you avoid losing your teeth?

KELLY PAVLIK - Santa is trying to figure out how he can fit a drawing board down Kelly's chimney.

After watching Hopkins hound Pavlik in October, Old St. Nick thinks it's time for Kelly to go back to the basics. A devastating puncher, there's no doubt that "The Ghost" can fight.

However, he needs to learn how to become a better boxer. The sweet science is all about angles, footwork, and positioning. Team Pavlik needs to rediscover the art of boxing. We know he can do it.

OSCAR DE LA HOYA and JEFF LACY - Santa likes Oscar and Jeff.

Actually, he likes them a lot. But enough is enough.

For this holiday season, both need to begin life after boxing. Both had great potential and good runs as world champions. But injuries, tough losses and the rigors of a career in boxing have taken their tolls. While we're at it, throw Roy Jones Jr. into this category too.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all, a good fight.