WHO WILL CARRY THE SPORT OF BOXING IN THE NEAR FUTURE?
Los Angeles,CA– Sometimes I get tired of the cynicism, boxing has always been it’s own worst enemy. This notion that Mixed Martial Arts will lead boxing to it’s eventual demise is constantly mentioned for the sake of an argument, but to me the two are like apples and oranges. We can choose to eat both, or choose to eat either, however eating one doesn’t mean you can’t have both. News of the Ultimate Fighting Championships television deal with Fox Network, should be respected by the boxing community. If there’s anything you can learn from the UFC, they know how to market their product and not alienate their customers or potential future ones. Every boxing era has had a superstar and the end of each stars run at the top has been met with skepticism in regards to the sports future. When Oscar De La Hoya was this sports megastar and nearing the end of his future Hall of Fame run, people wondered who would be the sports flag bearer. Fortunately two potential all-time greats and household names emerged in Floyd Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs) and Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs). It’s a fortunate rivalry because for the first time possibly in the history of the sport its two most popular stars happen to be the two best, with both campaigning in the same welterweight class (147 lbs.) simultaneously. Even though no contract has been signed for a potential “Superfight”, the watercooler conversation about who would win keeps the world paying attention to boxing. Who will be that next shining star?
TWO MEXICAN AMERICANS, ONE MEXICAN, ONE AFRICAN AMERICAN, AN ENGLISHMEN & A CUBAN?
CHRIS ARREOLA?(33-2, 28 KOs)- Once the Klitschko brothers (Wlad & Vitali) retire there should be some intriguing fights between some of the smaller heavyweights. Consider the rugged style of the Mexican American and his potential popularity if he picks up a title and becomes the first heavyweight champion of Mexican heritage? Even though Arreola’s work ethic has improved and he’s shed almost 30 lbs., even when he was fat, Chris makes for entertaining fights and isn’t that the main reason we all follow the sport is to be entertained?
VICTOR ORTIZ (29-2-1, 22KOs)-If the Ventura county resident can somehow pull off the monumental upset(He’s a reported 8-1 underdog) over Floyd “Joy” Mayweather, he could immediately be thrust into super stardom. The Mexican American is well spoken and has a unique storyline that has been shown during his appearance on HBO’s 24/7 reality series. Some of his troubled childhood was revealed this week when he made an appearance on CNN’s Pierce Morgan Tonight alongside promoter Oscar De La Hoya. The aggressive boxer puncher’s style mixes speed with power, and his title winning effort over Andre Berto is a fight of the year candidate. Imagine the attention a rematch would get if he could somehow knockout the arrogant Mayweather?
WINNER OF THE SUPER SIX-Whether it’s super middleweight (168lb) titleholder and Englishman Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KOs) or WBA champion Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KOs), if either continues to win they can become a true superstar. Froch regularly makes for great TV, and his take no prisoners attitude make him a fan favorite. Best of all he is already known to American fans. Beating Ward and then IBF champion Lucian Bute (29-0, 24 KOs) along with subsequent victories could make him and his beautiful wife Rachel Cordingley superstars in their home country and worldwide. Ward whose style isn’t considered as appealing must basically do what he’s done since the amateurs. Keep winning.
Saul “Cinnamon” Alvarez
SAUL ALVAREZ (37-0-1, 27 KOs)-The Mexican born fighter is already a 154lb belt holder, and a megastar in Mexico. The best part about the red-headed Mexican, I mean besides his fighting ability is that he’s only 21.
YURI GAMBOA (20-0, 16 KOs)-I know this pick is a stretch but this featherweight (126lbs) most explosive and exciting fighter to watch in boxing is a mini version of Mike Tyson the way he tears into his opponents with a gift of tremendous hand speed and power. The 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist and Cuban defector doesn’t speak English but neither did Roberto Duran or Julio Cesar Chavez, and Paquiao’s English which has greatly improved in the last couple of years, doesn’t seem to set the American public and world on fire.
No one would have anticipated that the two top draws in the sport are welterweights and that the heavyweight division is all but dead in the America. Most surprisingly besides Ward (and he’s a stretch) I couldn’t think of any other African American’s who could carry the torch.
-Kevin Perry