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12/03/2003 Archived Entry: "Fighters I Want To See More"
Fighters I Want To See More
By Adam Pollack
People say boxing is dying, but I say we just aren't being shown enough of certain fighters in entertaining matchups. We need to see these guys more often, consistently in televised bouts. Here is a weight class by weight class breakdown of who I'd like to see more.
Heavyweight
Lennox Lewis - Please don't retire without a rematch with Vitaly Klitschko.Vitali Klitschko - who doesn't like to see a big strong heavyweight that can fight?Corrie Sanders - don't lose your momentum by disappearing.Vladimir Klitschko - Don't allow one loss to overcome all your good wins. Why don’t American networks televise, even tape delayed, his European fights?David Tua - I really want to see him in with another tough guy, a puncher who will stand there with him. People could get really excited about Tua again if he were matched in more exciting fights. Yet, he keeps fighting bums or guys that will make him look bad.Roy Jones, Jr. - Don't waste yourself at 175 - move up to 200 again and see what you can do.
Young Pups
Juan Carlos Gomez 37-0 - I believe this guy is totally underrated. How can you not like a guy who throws that many punches?Dominick Guinn 23-0 - I think he is slightly overrated and needs to punch more, but I would like to see him progress and take on some tougher challenges.Audley Harrison 13-0 - 2000 Gold Medalist - Not the youngest guy, but he's big and strong in a division that's in flux right now.Calvin Brock 18-0 - I'm unsure about him, but he does hold amateur wins over Guinn.Nicolai Valuev 34-0 - This guy needs some U.S. televised exposure to see whether he's legit or a fraud.
200
Vassily Jirov - He's busy and he comes to fight - how could onenot like that?Waine Braithwaite 19-0 - Let's see him in with Jirov.
Young Pup
Rydell Booker 20-0 - Probably not strong enough, but there's not much at cruiser anyway.
175
Julio Gonzalez - The guy is tough as nails, takes a licking and keeps on ticking, and throws nonstop - have to respect him.Dariusz Michalczewski - Now that he's lost, maybe he'll finally come to the U.S. and take on a Tarver or Jones, Jr. Or maybe one of those guys will have the guts to go to Germany now that they see he can be beat.
168
Joe Calzaghe 36-0 - This guy is really good and fights his best against the best. He's too good to just fight unknown Europeans. Could be a star but is being held back.Sven Ottke 32-0 - Needs to fight Calzaghe for legitimacy or will go down as another one of those protected Euro guys that never proved himself as a true champ.
Young Pups
Jeff Lacy 15-0 - dream matchup would be against Echols. Sure he's no boxer, but the guy can crack and comes to fight. What fan doesn't like to see that?Anthony Hanshaw 15-0 - Not the strongest, but an up and comer who's ready for the next step.Jerson Ravelo 12-0 - The jury is still out on him, but could make for some decent matchups against guys who will fight with him, like Lacy.
160
Bernard Hopkins - The guy can fight. You have to respect that.Harry Simon 23-0 - Where is he? Entertaining fighter.
Young Pup
Jermain Taylor 18-0 - If brought along properly, may be the next champ. Has boxing skill and power, but downfall may be that he's a little bit on the stiff side. Definitely watchable.Tarvis Simms 17-0 - Need to see more to make a determination.
154
Shane Mosley - Gutsy guy who will fight anyone.Oscar de la Hoya - Still can make for entertaining fights.
Ronald 'Winky' Wright - Well overdue for a payday, but unfortunately, isn't the most exciting puncher.Kassim Ouma v. J.C. Candelo - Should be a great fight.Alejandro Garcia 26-0 - Newcomer, would like to see more.Fernando Vargas - The guy comes to fight and gives it his all - how can we ask for more?
Young Pups
Paul Williams 21-0 - Could be dangerous.Peter Manfredo, Jr. 19-0 - Need to see more to make a determination.Travis Simms 22-0 - Need to see more to make a determination.
Why aren't we seeing more televised cards with multiple up and comers like these showing their stuff?
147
Ricardo Mayorga - Can't be in a bad fight, or, can he (Cory Spinks)?Antonio Margarito - Another action fighter who can thrill us if in the right match.Vernon Forrest - Don't totally count him out.
Young Pups
Kermit Cintron 20-0 - Fun to watch.Hercules Kyvelos 22-0 - Another fun guy to watch.Ishe Smith 13-0 - Pretty solid guy.
Why aren't we seeing more of these guys in televised bouts? They say boxing is dying, but if they have cards with these guys in nice matchups where they can entertain fans, it would sure help the sport.
140
Kostya Tszyu - You were riding so high, but then you just disappeared and have not adequately capitalized on your momentum with name/exciting matchups; and there are so many possibilities - see below:
Arturo Gatti - Can't be in a boring fight.Ricky Hatton 33-0 - This guy is really fun to watch.Juan Valenzuela - So he's not the best boxer, but another guy who comes to fight and entertain.
Young Pups
Miguel Cotto 17-0 - Looking good with some skill, footwork, and nice pop, but perhaps needs to punch more. Has upcoming fight with 16-0 Carlos Maussa that should be a good one.Kelson Pinto 18-0 - Entertaining.Mohamed Abdulaev 12-1 - 2000 gold medalist - don't count him out just yet. Regardless of the loss, he's another guy who should be on t.v. because he comes forward, keeps a good pace, and hits hard. Win or lose, fans like to see guys like him.Francisco Bojado 14-1 - Avenged early loss, is still young and talented and will develop into a good fighter, particularly as his defense improves.
Demetrius Hopkins 14-0-1David Diaz 21-0Oscar Diaz 16-0
The book's still out on these guys. We should be seeing more of them in competitive matches.
135
Floyd Mayweather , Jr. - Fought a more entertaining fight last time out.Artur Grigorian 36-0 v. Acelino Freitas - Should be a nice fight.Leonard Dorin 21-0-1 - Fun to watch.Paul Spadafora 36-0-1 - He's growing on me.Juan Lazcano - Comes to fight.Jose Luis Castillo - Comes to fight.
Young Pup
Juan Diaz 22-0 - Fights hard, he’s young and improving.
130
Joel Casamayor v. Diego Corrales rematch will be fun. I’d really like to see Diego in there with another puncher, like Freitas or Morales.Erik Morales - Gutsy guy with pride always fights hard.
Young Pups
Jose Miguel Cotto 21-0Steven Luevano 20-0Mike Anchondo 22-0Teaunce Shepherd 4-0
Again, let's see more of them so we can see them develop and find out if they merit further attention.
126
Manny Pacquiao - Another guy that can't be in a boring fight.Juan Manuel Marquez - Against a puncher will make for a fun fight.Marco Antonio Barrera - Still fun to watch.In-Jin Chi - Gives it everything he's got.
Young Pups
Rocky Juarez 19-0 - Progressing, can make for fun fights.Zahir Raheem 24-0 - Probably needs to step it up.
122
Paulie Ayala - Again, fun to watch.Oscar Larios - Need to see more of him.
Young Pups
Joan Guzman 20-0 - Another entertaining guy.Jose Aguiniga 21-0 - Should be seen more.
118
Rafael Marquez - Needs to be given more press because he can fight.Veeraphol Sahaprom 41-1-1 - Let's have an Asian fighter televised once in a while.
Young Pups
Steve Molitor 16-0Mike Oliver 6-0
Who knows?
115
Marc JohnsonMartin CastilloFernando Montiel
Would like to see Castillo get a shot at Johnson or take on Montiel.
Young Pup
Jose Navarro 18-0 - Probably not good enough, but let's see him in a real fight.
112
Eric Morel 33-0 - Let's see him in matches with the following:Irene Pacheco 30-0Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
Young Pups
Brahim Asloum 14-0 - 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist - Don't just hide in France.Brian Viloria 13-0 - Can make for some entertaining matchups.
Louis Maldonado 25-0Ramases Patterson 11-0Gabriel Elizondo 13-0 - Proved toughness in war with DonaireOmar Narvaez 15-0-2Glenn Donaire 11-1 - Loss to Elizondo was a great fight, so he should continue to be televised.
Who says there's nothing at the smaller weights?
108
Rosendo AlvarezJorge Arce
Okay, so now we are starting to hurt, but some of these guys can fight in entertaining matches.
105
Jose Antonio AguirreChana PorpaoinNoel Arambulet
Young Pup
Ivan Calderon 17-0
Replies: 1 Comment made on this article
i still think barrera is best pound 4 pound reguardless of his recent defeat
Posted by michael rollinson @ 12/05/2003 10:05 AM EST
