new wu
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I just got into boxing, and the Klitskcho brothers are
09 Boxing Thread:: 12/12 Diaz.vs.Malignaggi HBO/Bradley.vs.Peterson Showtime
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Thanks Mike, good to be back. Been way too long. On top of work i've been coaching the freshman bball team at my old high school so my free time has beennill. Shameless bragging, but on the positive side my guys are 8-1 right now and i freaking love coaching.
Well damn that sucks about Miranda. See you guys in about 4 months.
Well damn that sucks about Miranda. See you guys in about 4 months.
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Originally Posted by New Wu
I just got into boxing, and the Klitskcho brothers are
You will be one of the few around here that do. I'm with you, but pretty much everyone else can't wait for them to lose.
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so no chance Miranda gets in the super 6 now?
and to stay out of the other thread
Bob arum is a *!!*%$@ and is the reason the Pac VS Floyd fight ant been made yet.
and to stay out of the other thread
Bob arum is a *!!*%$@ and is the reason the Pac VS Floyd fight ant been made yet.
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Urango is Mr. Manly Punches, show some respect. And as much as i like Urango, Im a way bigger Miranda fan for some reason. Perhaps its simly that he hasn'twon a title yet.
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i would say Miranda would have the 'manlier' punches
Urango's technique is a little better than Miranda
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the punches themselves are manlier, but Miranda uses the jab somewhat consistently. Urango solely uses the manly punches. That is the subtle distinctionbetween the two
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Originally Posted by New Wu
Originally Posted by TheProfessorOfPugilism
Originally Posted by New Wu
I just got into boxing, and the Klitskcho brothers are
You will be one of the few around here that do. I'm with you, but pretty much everyone else can't wait for them to lose.
Why do other NT'ers want them to lose for?
Why do bears $##@ in the woods?
new wu
Banned
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Originally Posted by TheProfessorOfPugilism
Originally Posted by New Wu
I just got into boxing, and the Klitskcho brothers are
You will be one of the few around here that do. I'm with you, but pretty much everyone else can't wait for them to lose.
Why do other NT'ers want them to lose for?
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[h2]Jacobs is Prospect of the Year[/h2]
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Tom Hogan/Hoganphotos/Golden Boy Promotions At just 22, Daniel Jacobs, left, has come a long way in a very short time.
Just by virtue of the neighborhood he comes from, it's understandable why some consider middleweight Daniel Jacobs a prospect.
After all, the 22-year-old is from Brownsville, the tough Brooklyn, N.Y., neighborhood that has produced several top fighters, including former heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Riddick Bowe.
But it's more than geography that makes Jacobs a must-see young fighter. He possesses two-fisted power, an exciting style, a deep amateur background, maturity and a strong team behind him.
Jacobs (18-0, 15 KOs), who relies heavily on his left jab, has come a long way a short time. He first entered a boxing gym at 14, after getting in trouble at school for fighting. When he heard some of his friends were going to a gym, he joined them.
"I went down there to box so I wouldn't get in trouble," he said. "I sparred the second day and I did good, and I stayed out of trouble."
At 15, he had his first amateur fight and by 2006, Jacobs was an elite amateur, winning a U.S. National title. If anyone questions the toughness of "The Golden Child," just remember this: In the 2006 National Police Athletic League championships, he suffered a deep cut during a bout. He got stitched up sitting on a pool table and went on to win the tournament.
The following year, Jacobs lost in the finals of the 2007 U.S. Olympic trials, which tabbed members of the 2008 Olympic team. After the loss, Jacobs turned pro in December 2007 and has stormed to the top of the class.
Jacobs has been kept extraordinarily busy by manager Al Haymon and Golden Boy Promotions. He fought 12 times in 2008 and five times in 2009, limited only because of a hand injury that ended his year in August. But he kicked butt in the first eight months, earning rave reviews and honors as the 2009 ESPN.com prospect of the year.
"I truly feel there is no limit for his potential," said Golden Boy's Oscar De La Hoya. "He's on the verge of breaking out and really becoming a complete fighter. We've been keeping him very busy. We've been stepping him up in competition and he's been passing with flying colors. He's a fighter we really believe in."
[h4]Rafael's Prospects of the Year[/h4] [table][tr][th=""]Year[/th] [th=""]Fighter[/th] [/tr][tr][td]2009[/td] [td]Daniel Jacobs[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2008[/td] [td]Victor Ortiz[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2007[/td] [td]Amir Khan[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2006[/td] [td]Andre Berto[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2005[/td] [td]Joel Julio[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2004[/td] [td]Samuel Peter[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2003[/td] [td]Jermain Taylor[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2002[/td] [td]Miguel Cotto[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2001[/td] [td]Francisco Bojado[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2000[/td] [td]Julio Diaz[/td] [/tr][/table]
Jacobs' first real test came in May, when he got a high-profile slot on the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton pay-per-view card and dominated rugged Michael Walker for a lopsided decision. The following month, Jacobs, who is trained by Victor Roundtree, headlined ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" against another experienced veteran, George Walton, in his first scheduled 10-rounder. Jacobs thrashed him en route to an eighth-round knockout.
However, the 6-foot-1 Jacobs injured a knuckle on his left hand. He didn't think it was serious enough to tell anyone.
"After the fight my hand was really swollen, but I didn't think it was anything major," Jacobs said. "I recovered over the next three weeks. I didn't see a doctor because I didn't think it was that intense of an injury."
Two months later, Jacobs made his HBO debut against cagey veteran Ishe Smith, the kind of guy nobody looks good against, win or lose. But Jacobs bucked the trend and looked superb as he outboxed and outslugged Smith for a unanimous decision. But the hand didn't hold up.
"I injured it again, which is why I couldn't do the damage I wanted to do," Jacobs said. "This time the doctor looked at it and said I had a problem."
The result was a short surgical procedure in September on a tendon in his left hand that kept him on the shelf for the rest of the year. Jacobs is back in the gym and expects to be ready in a couple of months.
"I'm 95 percent right now," he said. "I'm training and running in the cold weather. I think 2010 is going to be good for me. The middleweight division is wide open to become a champion or superstar. It's me. I think it's going to be a big year."
If his recovery goes as planned, De La Hoya said Jacobs would get a slot on the Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather HBO PPV undercard March 13, assuming that deal is finalized.
"I'm really looking forward to being on that big undercard," he said. "That would be amazing. This is like fight of the decade, one of the biggest fights of my lifetime. To be on the undercard would truly be amazing."
Jacobs has already had the opportunity to fight on some big undercards.
In December 2008, he fought on the Pacquiao-De La Hoya card in Las Vegas and showed just how dedicated to boxing he is. When his longtime girlfriend, Natalie, gave birth to their son, Nathaniel (a combination of their names), Jacobs was at the hospital. As soon as he knew they were OK, he flew to Las Vegas later that day. Two days later, he knocked out Victor Lara and flew right home.
"He's seems very, very mature," De La Hoya said. "He really knows what he wants for his career. He wants to be a world champion and be one many times over. It's exciting to be working with a young prospect like that who will go very far."
Jacobs also got to fight on another major undercard when he had his first hometown fight on the Joe Calzaghe-Roy Jones show at Madison Square Garden in November 2008. That meant a lot to Jacobs, because Jones is his boxing idol.
"He was everything to me, how he carried himself, the excitement he brought to the sport," said Jacobs, who had a chance to meet Jones. "He drew me to boxing. I looked up to him and wanted to be like him. When I fought on his undercard at the Garden, I thought, 'what could be more perfect?'"
If Jacobs keeps developing like many believe he can, here's what could be more perfect: Jacobs, the rising star, headlining his own big card.
It could happen.
Other future stars (in alphabetical order with age, division, promoter and record):
Francisco Estrada/LatinContent/Getty ImagesDon't let Saul Alvarez's boyish looks fool you: The Mexican prospect is a terror in the ring.
Saul Alvarez (19, welterweight, Tuto Zabala Jr.'s All-Star Boxing, 30-0-1, 22 KOs): Despite no amateur experience, "Canelo" has emerged Mexico's top prospect, a young, aggressive brawler who punches well in combination and also has skills, not to mention a rapidly growing fan base and the backing of television giant Televisa. He also has legendary adviser Rafael Mendoza, a Yoda-like figure in Mexican boxing circles, working with him. Alvarez, who looks like Howdy Doody with red hair and freckles, has seen the competition level steadily increase, and he's handled it well, going 7-0 with six knockouts in 2009, including wins against solid opponents such as Lanardo Tyner and Michel Rosales. Alvarez fought twice in the U.S. in 2008 and there's a good chance he'll be back in 2010 with the possibility of Golden Boy becoming involved in his career.
Marty Rosengarten for Ringsidephotos.comDemetrius Andrade has made a successful transition from amateur standout to professional prospect.
Demetrius Andrade (21, junior middleweight, Banner Promotions/Star Boxing, 8-0, 6 KOs): The best pro prospect from the 2008 U.S. Olympic team was a decorated amateur before turning pro in 2008. Boxing since he was 6, Andrade won a world amateur championship, two U.S. national titles and two national Golden Gloves titles. As pro, the 6-foot-1 Providence, R.I., native stayed busy with six bouts in 2009 and displayed the attributes that make him one of boxing's most dynamic prospects: dazzling hand speed, power and ring intelligence. Andrade kicks off his 2009 campaign on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights" on Jan. 15 by moving into his first eight-round bout.
AP Photo/Eric JamisonChris Avalos, left, has a reckless style that makes him all the more fun to watch.
Chris Avalos (20, bantamweight, Gary Shaw, 14-0, 11 KOs): Avalos is an aggressive fighter with good punching power, although he can be bit reckless. But that's one of things that makes him so entertaining. Avalos, of Lancaster, Calif., received excellent exposure in 2009 with two knockouts on Showtime's "ShoBox" against Andre Wilson and Giovanni Caro as he gradually increased his level of competition. Avalos is a hungry fighter, too, which is why, despite a bad case of the flu for about 10 days, he went through with the Caro fight and knocked him out in the fourth round in September. Expect to see more of him on "ShoBox" in 2010.
Craig Bennett/FightWireImages.com With a little experience and maturity, Adrien Broner could go a long way.
Adrian Broner (20, lightweight, Golden Boy, 13-0, 10 KOs): Broner is as energetic and aggressive as any prospect. Golden Boy and manager Shelly Finkel kept him busy with eight fights in 2009, including appearances on major undercards. The Cincinnati native had an excellent amateur background, winning the Silver Gloves tournament in 2002 and 2003 and advancing to the semifinals at the 2005 Junior Olympics. He's got good skills, extremely fast hands and an unmistakable swagger that makes him fun to watch. He just needs experience and maturity.
Craig Bennett/Fightwire.comDespite being slowed by a hand injury, Danny Garcia went 5-0 in 2009.
Danny Garcia (21, junior welterweight, Golden Boy, 15-0, 10 KOs): The 2006 U.S. national champion just missed making the 2008 U.S. Olympic team, losing in the trials finals to finish his amateur career 107-13. As a pro, he's one of several Golden Boy-promoted, Shelly Finkel-managed prospects being moved nicely. The confident Garcia, an excellent counter puncher, went 5-0 in 2009, although he was slowed slightly by a hand injury. But he finished the year strong, scoring a sensational second-round knockout Enrique Colin, the best opponent of his career, in December in his first pro fight in his hometown of Philadelphia.
Miguel Angel "Mikey" Garcia (22, featherweight, Top Rank, 19-0, 16 KOs): Garcia, who was 58-7 as an amateur, hasn't gotten the hype of some prospects, but this kid can fight. He's a well-schooled crowd-pleaser who throws short, accurate punches. He's one of co-manager Cameron Dunkin's prized prospects and is trained by former world titlist Robert Garcia, his brother. "Mikey" grew up in a boxing family, one reason why he's so patient and mature in the ring despite his youth. The Oxnard, Calif., resident can box and bang, winning all four of his 2009 bouts by knockout, including an impressive third-round knockout of Yogli Herrera, which got airtime on the Dec. 19 Kelly Pavlik-Miguel Espino Top Rank pay-per-view undercard.
John Gichigi/Getty ImagesFrankie Gavin is shaping up to be one of Britain's most promising young stars.
Frankie Gavin (24, junior welterweight, Frank Warren, 5-0, 5 KOs): The 2008 British Olympian looks like the best pro prospect from the trio of teammates Warren signed, including gold medalist James DeGale and Billy Joe Saunders. In 2007, Gavin, a southpaw, became the first British world amateur champion. But Gavin, a gold medal favorite, never competed in Beijing because he failed to make weight and was disqualified. He turned pro in February and ripped through his first five opponents with a crowd-pleasing style. He opens his 2010 campaign Feb. 13 in London.
Gennady Golovkin (27, middleweight, Spotlight Boxing, 18-0, 15 KOs): Golovkin was a 2003 world amateur champ (beat Matvey Korobov and Andy Lee and stopped future super middleweight titlist Lucian Bute) and a 2004 Olympic silver medalist (beat American Andre Dirrell in the semifinals) for Kazakhstan, although he now lives in Germany. Since turning pro in 2006, Golovkin has moved steadily and is close to a title eliminator. He was 4-0 in 2009, winning each bout by early knockout against decent competition. Golovkin, who considers Sugar Ray Leonard and Roy Jones his boxing idols, has an awkward style, solid defense and good power. He projects as another in a long line of German-based middleweight and super middleweight contenders.
Marty Rosengarten for Ringsidephotos.comFernando Guerrero, left, is already a draw in his adopted hometown of Salisbury, Md.
Fernando Guerrero (23, middleweight, Prize Fight, 17-0, 14 KOs): Guerrero, a southpaw, is exciting and aggressive with good power. He had a strong amateur career that included Junior Golden Gloves, International Junior Olympics, National Golden Gloves and U.S. National titles. In a sport where how well you draw is as important as your talent, Guerrero also has that covered. Although born in the Dominican Republic, he's lived in Salisbury, Md., since childhood and been embraced by the community. He sells out when he fights at home, a big reason why Guerrero, who needs defensive work, can become a major factor. The Barry Hunter-trained Guerrero, who has gotten good sparring from Paul Williams, went 5-0 in 2009 and closed with an impressive fourth-round knockout of Jess Nicklow on "ShoBox" in December. Guerrero is scheduled to open 2010 Feb. 19 on ESPN2 against Jesus Gonzalez.
Omar Henry (22, junior middleweight, Top Rank, 7-0, 6 KOs): Stocky and strong with fast hands, Henry may develop into a complete fighter, but right now the eye-catching element of his game is pure power. Some of his knockouts have been of the absolutely devastating variety. Check out YouTube for yourself. Henry wasn't a big-time amateur, going just 60-5 and making it to the quarterfinals of the 2007 National Golden Gloves, but manager Cameron Dunkin excels at signing diamonds in the rough and he may have one here. Outside the ring, Henry also has a lot going for him. He's a straight-A student at Houston Community College.
Tom Casino/Showtime Expect bigger and better things for Marcus Johnson in 2010.
Marcus Johnson (24, super middleweight, Lou DiBella/Antonio Leonard, 18-0, 14 KOs): Johnson was a standout amateur who made it to the 2004 Olympic trials finals only to lose to eventual Olympic gold medalist Andre Ward. Johnson then signed with promoter Don King, and it was a terrible mistake. King buried him, gave him no exposure and did nothing to actually promote him. He sat for 11 months waiting for his contract to expire and then signed in June with DiBella, who quickly got him two fights, one which was a standout performance on "ShoBox" in October, a lopsided decision against Victor Villareal. Now the Houston resident with good pop and excellent conditioning is in position for a breakout 2010.
Julian/FightWireImages.com Mike Jones is primed to punch through the local Philly circuit and on to the national scene.
Mike Jones (26, welterweight, Russell Peltz, 19-0, 16 KOs): A lanky puncher with an appealing style, Jones is a mystery man to many because Peltz, his Hall of Fame promoter, has built him in Philadelphia without very little television exposure. He tried to interest the networks, but to no avail. So Jones, a pro since 2005, has stayed busy at home and in the dark, building a local fan base. The single father of two daughters, who works part-time at Home Depot, went 3-0 in 2009, but would have likely added a couple of more wins had it not been for injury setbacks. Jones will get some much-needed TV exposure Feb. 27 thanks to an arrangement between Peltz and Top Rank. Jones will face Henry Bruseles in Atlantic City, N.J., on Top Rank's new Fox Sports Net series.
AP Photo/Reed SaxonWith the help of trainer Kenny Adams, Matvey Korobov is becoming a complete fighter.
Matvey Korobov (26, middleweight, Top Rank, 9-0, 7 KOs): Top Rank's prized prospect was a decorated Russian amateur, winning two world championships, two world cups and fighting in the 2008 Olympics. Manager Cameron Dunkin had his eyes on Korobov for years and got his man, who relocated to Florida, where his parents had moved years earlier. The southpaw has a pro style and good power, but is learning the finer points of fighting on the inside. He teamed with star trainer Kenny Adams two fights ago, and that marriage should be a big plus. Korobov should be in the hunt for a major fight by the end of 2010.
Marco Perez for ESPN.com Erislandy Lara may be the best of the lot of Cuban defectors to turn pro in recent years.
Erislandy Lara (26, junior middleweight, Golden Boy/Arena Box, 9-0, 5 KOs): Lara, a southpaw, is one of several Cuban defectors to turn pro in recent years. He may turn out to be one of the best. He won three consecutive Cuban national titles and a world amateur championship in 2005. He was a gold medal favorite for the 2008 Olympics, but was caught attempting to defect at the 2007 Pan American Games in Brazil. He was kicked off the team and returned to Cuba before finally escaping in 2008. With loads of amateur experience, Lara is moving quickly in the pros. On Dec. 12, he stepped fought his first 10-rounder and pitched a near-shutout against experienced Luciano Perez. Lara is fast with outstanding skills and the ability to mix it up if necessary. Manager Shelly Finkel's confidence is so great, he says Lara is ready to face titleholder Sergio Martinez.
David Lemieux (21, middleweight, Yvon Michel, 20-0, 20 KOs): Rather than attempt to make the Canada's 2008 Olympic team, for which he was a virtual lock, Montreal's Lemieux turned pro at 18 in 2007 because he'd always had his eye on pro glory instead of Olympic gold. A three-time Canadian amateur champion, Lemieux, ranks as his country's top prospect, ripping through opponents with bone-jarring power. The charismatic slugger went 8-0 in 2009, including a first-round knockout of "Contender" alum Donny McCrary and an impressive second-round knockout of Delray Raines in his first 10-rounder.
Chris Cozzone/FightWireImagesAt just 20, Roberto Marroquin has time to develop his talent.
Roberto Marroquin (20, junior featherweight, Top Rank, 11-0, 8 KOs): The Dallas native has an energetic style and carries a dynamite left hook, which he used in 2009, going 6-0 with 5 KOs. Top Rank knows how to move young fighters and will take its time with Marroquin, who is developing a fan base in his home state. He was a standout amateur, winning the 2006 Junior Olympic nationals, going to the 2007 Pan American Games and making it to the finals at the 2007 U.S. Olympic trials.
Craig Bennett/Fightwireimages.comVanes Martirosyan's team feel their charge is ready to make a big splash in 2010.
Vanes Martirosyan (23, junior middleweight, Top Rank, 26-0, 17 KOs): It seems like Martirosyan, born in Armenia but living in Glendale, Calif., has been around forever, but the 2004 U.S. Olympian was just 18 when he turned pro. He's been slowly and properly developed by Top Rank matchmakers Brad "Abdul" Goodman and Bruce Trampler and manager Shelly Finkel to the point where he's on the verge of facing a top contender or challenging for a title. The lanky 6-footer was 4-0 in 2009 and primed for a serious move in 2010. Trainer Freddie Roach believes he's ready for a big fight right now, and he'll take a major step up when he faces former titleholder Kassim Ouma on Jan. 16.
Tom Casino/Showtime A combination of speed, power and determination is the name of the game for Shawn Porter.
Shawn Porter (22, junior middleweight, Prize Fight, 12-0, 10 KOs): Porter gained attention in 2009 because he did very well as one of Manny Pacquiao's main sparring partners. But Porter isn't just a sparring partner. He was an outstanding amateur and has a bright pro future. He was a 2007 National Golden Gloves champion and 2008 U.S. Olympic alternate. The Cleveland resident is 5-foot-7 and stocky, so perhaps a little undersized for his division. But what he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed, power and determination. The former high school football player was exceptionally busy in 2009, capping a 9-0 year with a fourth-round knockout of previously undefeated Jamar Patterson in his "ShoBox" debut in December. Porter returns Feb. 19 on ESPN2.
Tom Casino/Showtime Rico Ramos, left, earned his sixth win of the year by outpointing Alejandro Perez in November.
Rico Ramos (22, junior featherweight, Dan Goossen, 14-0, 8 KOs): The Pico Rivera, Calif., southpaw is quick, accurate puncher who was impressive when he got television exposure on "ShoBox" in November and soundly outpointed previously undefeated Alejandro Perez in an eight-round slugfest. That moved him to 6-0 in 2009. As an amateur, Ramos won 2006 National Police Athletic League and National Blue and Gold Tournament titles before turning pro in 2008 under the guidance of powerful manager Al Haymon.
Marco Perez for ESPN.com Guillermo Rigondeaux's amateur pedigree should serve him well as a paid fighter.
Guillermo Rigondeaux (29, junior featherweight, DeCubas Presents/Caribe Promotions, 4-0, 3 KOs): Rigondeaux is a special prospect. Professionally, he has just four fights, but he was one of the most decorated amateurs ever. He had around 400 fights before defecting from Cuba and turning pro in May. He won Olympic gold in 2000 and 2004, won two world amateur championships and a Pan American Games gold medal, among a slew of other amateur accolades. He has two-fisted power, speed, technical ability and poise. His handlers expect him to challenge for a world title inside 10 fights. In June, he began working with trainer Freddie Roach, who was blown away by his potential. "When we worked the mitts together, it was like when I worked with Manny (Pacquiao) for the first time," he said. Rigondeaux's 2010 debut comes Feb. 5 on ESPN2.
Fightwireimages.comEdwin Rodriguez, left, will be a force to be reckoned with at super middleweight and above.
Edwin Rodriguez (24, super middleweight, Lou DiBella, 13-0, 9 KOs): Born in the Dominican Republic but living in Worcester, Mass., Rodriguez, who dealt with surgery to remove bone spurs from both elbows, closed a 5-0 2009 by knocking out experienced Brian Norman in the fifth round. It was a good measuring stick for Rodriguez, because Norman had gone 10 rounds with Jean Pascal, who would later win a light heavyweight title. As an amateur, Rodriguez had solid credentials, going 84-9 and winning the 2005 U.S. nationals and 2006 National Golden Gloves. He is the father of 3-year-old twins, who have had medial problems because they were born prematurely.
AP Photo/Christof StacheWith a little conditioning, Odlanier Solis has the potential to make noise at heavyweight.
Odlanier Solis (29, heavyweight, Top Rank/Arena Box, 15-0, 11 KOs): The 2004 Cuban Olympic gold medalist defected in 2007 and has emerged a heavyweight to watch. He has fast hands, good power and ring smarts, but he also fought just three times in 2009 and needs better conditioning. In his last fight, he scored a second-round demolition of ex-title challenger Monte Barrett in October for his best pro win. But the 6-foot-1 Solis was a career-heavy 271 pounds. Normally, he's in the 250s. Although co-promoters Bob Arum and Ahmet Öner talk him up as somebody who could dethrone either Klitschko brother, Solis still has a lot to prove. But the potential is there. He'll make his 2010 debut March 20 on Top Rank's new Fox Sports Net series.
AP Photo/Hans DerykSeveral impressive showings in '09 moved Antwone Smith from opponent to prospect.
Antwone Smith (22, welterweight, Lou DiBella, 17-1-1, 8 KOs): Smith wasn't a blue chipper when he turned pro in 2006, but the Miami resident earned his way into prospect status. For several fights, he was the so-called opponent, but disregarded the odds, showed dogged determination and kept winning, including pulling some upsets on ESPN2. In February, he outpointed undefeated and favored Norberto Gonzalez, and followed with an easy decision against Richard Gutierrez in May. DiBella saw Smith lose a controversial six-round decision to house fighter Ed Paredes in 2007, but was impressed. Then DiBella watched him fight a few more times. When he found out he had no promoter, he signed him in June. DiBella got Smith an opportunity on "ShoBox," where he looked good stopping Henry Crawford in October. Smith could move quickly in 2010.
John BoozDespite seven wins by knockout in the first round, Deontay Wilder still has a way to go.
Deontay Wilder (24, heavyweight, Golden Boy, 8-0, 8 KOs): Despite very limited amateur experience, Wilder won the 2007 National Golden Gloves and U.S. National titles and saved the U.S. Olympic boxing team from a medal shutout by winning a bronze in the 2008 Beijing Games. He signed with Golden Boy and manager Shelly Finkel and turned pro in late 2008. In 2009, Wilder fought seven times with seven first-round knockouts against extremely limited opposition. But that was by design. Wilder is a project with a lot to learn, but he's a willing student. He has excellent size (6-foot-7) and is bulking up his lean 215-pound frame with a weight program. His calling card is a tremendously powerful right hand, but trainers Mark Breland and Jay Deas are working on the rest of his game, especially his jab. If Wilder develops, it's going to take a few years, but he has time on his side.
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^ damn, no Pinoy prospects
�� Just watching the local scene here... noone really stands out anyway.
Check out Floyd sparring here... talking mad trash
� Sparringpartner's mad too
Check out Floyd sparring here... talking mad trash
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why this fool fighting a god damn heavy weight
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The Klitschko Brothers seem like fine individuals and they take the sport seriously which is nice to see in the heavyweight division but IMO they not enjoyableto watch. Vitali is a little more exciting but he's so big and clumsy that he's just not aesthetically pleasing to watch IMO. Wlad on the other handputs on a jab fest since he has to protect his fragile chin and although he usually gets the KO, up to that point it's beyond boring what he does.
I don't want them to lose per se...It's not like things would have been great if Kevin Johnson became the heavyweight champ, I just want see somebetter competition in the overweight division to make things more interesting.
I don't want them to lose per se...It's not like things would have been great if Kevin Johnson became the heavyweight champ, I just want see somebetter competition in the overweight division to make things more interesting.
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Whatever happened to Francisco Bojado?
Had high hopes for the kid...ended up looking like a Mexican Curtis Stevens.
Had high hopes for the kid...ended up looking like a Mexican Curtis Stevens.
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Tom Casino/Showtime Rico Ramos, left, earned his sixth win of the year by outpointing Alejandro Perez in November.
Rico Ramos (22, junior featherweight, Dan Goossen, 14-0, 8 KOs): The Pico Rivera, Calif., southpaw is quick, accurate puncher who was impressive when he got television exposure on "ShoBox" in November and soundly outpointed previously undefeated Alejandro Perez in an eight-round slugfest. That moved him to 6-0 in 2009. As an amateur, Ramos won 2006 National Police Athletic League and National Blue and Gold Tournament titles before turning pro in 2008 under the guidance of powerful manager Al Haymon.
Im def lookin out for Rico. dude got Skills. I picked him as my prospect of the yr.
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Originally Posted by Proshares
Damn haven't heard that name in a couple years. Lost to some dude name Rubio a while back and lost to Jesse James Leija a few years back too. I think son lost to Steve Forbes too
I read on Wiki he was on 24/7 w/DLH and PBF sparring w/DLH.
24/7 was the last I heard from him.
Probably a professional punching bag these day.
Pro you know where I can get cheap tickets to see Gamboa at the Garden next moth?
solewoman
Staff member
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such a dirty fight between dirrel and froch
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Dude was just flat out lazy, ate himself out of the ring.
[h2]KO of the Year: Pacquiao-Hatton[/h2]
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AP Photo/Jae C. HongThe only thing grander than the stage in Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton was the fight's finish.
While the boxing world and even the sports world as a whole wait to see whether Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. can overcome their stalemate over the drug-testing protocol for their tentative March 13 fight, we can at least revel in one of the greatest moments of Pacquiao's storied career.
Already a five-division champion when he met Ricky Hatton, Pacquiao -- the Filipino idol coming off his destruction of Oscar De La Hoya -- was gunning for a title in a record-tying sixth division when he met "The Hitman" on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Hatton was the junior welterweight champion and unbeaten at 140 pounds, having lost only to Mayweather in a 2007 welterweight title fight.
[h4]Rafael's Knockouts of the Year[/h4] [table][tr][th=""]Year[/th] [th=""]Fight[/th] [/tr][tr][td]2009[/td] [td]Manny Pacquiao KO2 Ricky Hatton[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2008[/td] [td]Edison Miranda KO3 David Banks[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2007[/td] [td]Darnell Wilson KO11 Emmanuel Nwodo[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2006[/td] [td]Calvin Brock KO6 Zuri Lawrence[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2005[/td] [td]Allan Green KO1 Jaidon Codrington[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2004[/td] [td]Antonio Tarver KO2 Roy Jones Jr.[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2003[/td] [td]Rocky Juarez KO10 Antonio "Chelo" Diaz[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2002[/td] [td]Roy Jones Jr. KO7 Glenn Kelly[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2001[/td] [td]Lennox Lewis KO4 Hasim Rahman[/td] [/tr][tr][td]2000[/td] [td]Lennox Lewis TKO2 Frans Botha[/td] [/tr][/table]
The excitement was palpable in Vegas. Some 25,000 British Hatton fans had crossed the pond to party like it was 1999, and a sold-out arena of 16,262 -- mostly Hatton supporters -- rocked the house, including verse after verse of their "There's Only One Ricky Hatton" song.
They didn't celebrate for long.
The much faster Pacquiao dropped Hatton hard twice in the opening round and finished him in ruthless fashion in the second round with one of the greatest knockouts in recent memory. It was the obvious choice for the 2009 ESPN.com Knockout of the Year.
Just as the 10-second warning sounded to signal the end of the round was coming, Pacquiao unleashed a full-leverage perfect left hand that crashed into Hatton's chin and knocked him stiff. Hatton fell sideways, going down hard and hitting his head on the canvas. He came to rest flat on his back in the center of the ring, his arms at his sides and his body perfectly aligned on the Rockstar Energy Drink logo.
"Boom! Oh, my gosh! What a straight left hand," HBO's Jim Lampley exclaimed. "And will Hatton make it up from this, or is that it? No way. That is that. What an amazing knockout shot. That is the most spectacular one-punch shot of Manny Pacquiao's incredible career!"
While a joyous Pacquiao celebrated with his team, Hatton was visibly gasping for air as referee Kenny Bayless kneeled beside him. He immediately called off the fight with one second left in the round and attempted to extricate Hatton's mouthpiece as his family looked on in horror from ringside.
"I really didn't see the punch coming, but it was a great shot," Hatton said after being examined by ringside medical personnel and regaining his senses.
The following afternoon, Pacquiao watched a DVD of the fight for the first time with about 15 people in his hotel suite at Mandalay Bay. When the knockout punch landed, Pacquiao turned to a reporter sitting next to him and said unprompted: "Yeah, it's a good shot. I felt it on my knuckles."
Then the reporter asked Pacquiao whether he thought it would hold up as the knockout of the year.
"Yeah, I think so," Pacquiao answered.
Now he knows it.
Other sweet shots:
Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty ImagesJust as their fight was winding down, Jermain Taylor's lights were put out by Arthur Abraham.
Arthur Abraham KO12 Jermain Taylor (Oct. 17 at Berlin): Abraham is a pure puncher. Taylor has a poor chin. Not a good combination if you're a Taylor fan, but great if you like knockouts. In April, Taylor was leading Carl Froch in a super middleweight title challenge before falling apart and getting knocked out with 14 seconds left in the fight. Coming back from that nasty loss, the former undisputed middleweight champ faced Abraham on his turf in the opening bout of Showtime's Super Six super middleweight tournament.
Once again, Taylor started well but faded slowly as Abraham took over. Abraham was on his way to an easy decision when with just six seconds left he ended it in violent fashion with a highlight-reel knockout. Out of nowhere, Abraham detonated a stiff right hand down the middle. It connected on Taylor's chin, knocking him unconscious. As Taylor lay on the canvas out cold, it was eerie to see his right arm outstretched in the air as if he was still fighting.
"Down goes Taylor! What a shot," Showtime's Steve Albert barked. "It's over! They won't even finish the count. [Abraham's] gonna get himself three points, and let's just hope Jermain Taylor is all right."
Under tournament rules, Abraham got two points for the victory and an extra point for the knockout. Taylor, who slammed the canvas with his head, wound up in the hospital with a severe concussion, short-term memory loss and many calling for his retirement -- including his promoter, Lou DiBella, who resigned the position when Taylor said he would continue in the round-robin tournament.
Antonio Pitalua KO6 Jose Reyes (Aug. 14 at Miami): In April, Pitalua served as second-round roadkill for Edwin Valero in a lightweight title bout. But sometimes you're the bug, and sometimes you're the windshield. Returning four months later, Pitalua, a tremendous puncher, was the windshield as he dusted Reyes in sick fashion in a Telemundo main event.
Reyes, who was winning the fight, got caught with a classic one-two. Pitalua pushed out a jab and came behind it with a gargantuan right hand that landed flush, literally forcing Reyes to hop off the canvas with both feet for a split second before he fell to his back, out cold. It was a sick, thudding knockout that left him on the canvas and in need of medical attention for several minutes.
Bob Levey/Icon SMIJuan Manuel Marquez-Juan Diaz featured a number of awards candidates, including top knockout.
Juan Manuel Marquez KO9 Juan Diaz (Feb. 28 at Houston): This was one of the year's best fights. It also featured several candidates for best round, and it ended with one of the year's best knockouts. Marquez, the lightweight champ, came to Diaz's hometown to defend against the former titleholder, and they waged a tremendous battle that ended with the exclamation point of a big Marquez knockout blow.
Marquez had found a home for his effective uppercut early in the highly competitive fight. With Diaz bleeding from a cut in the eighth, Marquez began to take over and, in the ninth, finished off Diaz. Marquez initially dropped Diaz face-first into the ropes with an uppercut. Moments later, he splattered Diaz in the middle of the ring with a series of blows capped by -- what else? -- a murderous right uppercut as referee Rafael Ramos immediately waved off the fight.
"What you just saw was a really good young fighter knocked out by a great old fighter," HBO's Max Kellerman said, describing the scene at ringside.
Randall Bailey KO4 Frankie Figueroa (April 3 at Memphis): Bailey, a former junior welterweight titlist, is one of the best pure punchers in boxing, and this was one of his best knockouts, so you know it was tremendous. His right hand is like a boxing version of an atomic weapon, and he used it to erase Figueroa with one thunderous blow to the chin in this title eliminator. Figueroa never saw it coming.
"As big a right hand as you will ever see," ESPN2 announcer Joe Tessitore exclaimed. "Randall Bailey, knockout victory!" The knockout was simply spectacular and ended what had been a very entertaining fight. The punch left Figueroa out cold on his back in the center of the ring and ranks as one of the best knockouts in the history of ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights."
Jean Pascal KO5 Pablo Nievas (April 4 at Montreal): One bout after Pascal lost a tremendous action fight to Carl Froch for a vacant super middleweight belt and one before Pascal won a thrilling slugfest to claim a light heavyweight title, he scored a knockout that looked like something out of a cartoon.
Pascal, who had dominated the bout, cracked Nievas with a crushing left that badly hurt him in the fifth round. He immediately followed with another left hand that nailed Nievas again. Nievas was hit so hard that he literally jumped off the canvas, turned in the air and fell face-first. He hit the mat with his fists and rolled over onto his back with his arms outstretched. Why referee Gerry Bolen bothered to count will forever remain a mystery.
Mike Alvarado KO10 Emmanuel Clottey (March 7 at Commerce City, Colo.): Alvarado, an undefeated Top Rank junior welterweight prospect, wound up in jail for most of 2009. While waiting for his return in 2010, we can replay this knockout from Azteca America over and over.
Alvarado was on his way to an easy decision in a less-than-exciting fight before giving his hometown fans a jolt of excitement (and Clottey a jolt of power) as he closed the show in style. Rather than coast to the final bell, Alvarado scored the blistering knockout with two seconds remaining, landing a bomb of a right hand on the point of Clottey's chin over a lazy jab. Clottey was unconscious upon impact, so it was incredible that referee Curtis Thrasher even began a thoroughly unnecessary count.
Donald Miralle/Getty ImagesAntonio Margarito lost his padding before the fight, then lost his wits in a Shane Mosley win.
Shane Mosley TKO9 Antonio Margarito (Jan. 24 at Los Angeles): Mosley, who had been hammering Margarito (sans illegal padding that had been discovered in Margarito's mitts in the dressing room before the fight) all night, had finally dropped him at the very end of the eighth round. As the ninth round began, Mosley continued his assault.
"This fight could be stopped any second now," HBO's Jim Lampley blared. "Margarito is getting hit flush with every right hand!" After eating a few more shots, Margarito crumpled again in a corner as referee Raul Caiz moved in to stop the fight.
"Shane Mosley has annihilated Antonio Margarito," Lampley exclaimed. Given the reputation Margarito had for an indestructible chin, it was a stunning scene. Mosley, who won the welterweight title again in an upset, had closed the show in style, outlanding Margarito 21-0 in the ninth round.
Alfredo Angulo KO3 Harry Joe Yorgey (Nov. 7 at Hartford, Conn.): This one was ugly, as Angulo beat and battered poor Yorgey like a heavy bag with a head to claim a vacant interim junior middleweight belt. Yorgey showed enormous heart as Angulo hammered him over and over while inept referee John Callas watched the destruction like a fan with a good seat.
Eventually, Angulo pinned Yorgey in a corner and did serious damage, unloading something like 15 unanswered blows -- including a flush left and right hand that snapped back Yorgey's head, sending his eyes rolling up into his head before he dropped to the mat, where Callas finally ended the carnage.
"He is getting hit by solid shots, and he is out cold now after the left-and-right combination, and the doctor races across the ring," HBO's Jim Lampley said as he called the end of the blowout.
Tom Casino/Showtime No year-end list of best KOs is complete without an entry from bomb-throwing Vic Darchinyan.
Vic Darchinyan KO2 Tomas Rojas (Dec. 12 at Rancho Mirage, Calif.): What would a roundup of the best knockouts of the year be without an entry from Darchinyan, the junior bantamweight champ with crushing power? Making a mandatory defense against Rojas, Darchinyan -- who was coming off a loss in a bantamweight title challenge -- looked as though he might be in for a long night. He was on his heels and looked flat through the first round-plus.
But then, as the second round wound down, Darchinyan dropped the hammer. He swung and missed with a pair of wild lefts, landed a left to the side of Rojas' head and then landed a left flush on the chin. Rojas, who had inadvertently leaned into the punch, went down immediately, laid out with his body halfway under the bottom ring rope and referee Raul Caiz counting him out. Typical Darchinyan.
Chris Avalos KO4 Giovanni Caro (Sept. 18 at Santa Ynez, Calif.): Avalos, an exciting 20-year-old bantamweight prospect, was matched with the more experienced Caro on Showtime's "ShoBox" and turned in a smashing knockout to cap an excellent fight.
Avalos entered the bout after being ill during the week with flu-like symptoms, but it didn't stop him from hurting Caro with a big right hand in the fourth round and then flattening him with a flush sweeping right to the side of the chin. Caro was down and out on his back, never knowing what hit him.
"Oh, he's out, guys! That's it," Showtime analyst Antonio Tarver said matter-of-factly.
AP PhotoLucian Bute followed up 2008's controversial decision over Librado Andrade with a convincing KO.
Lucian Bute KO4 Librado Andrade (Nov. 28 at Quebec City): In 2008, Bute easily outboxed Andrade before running into severe trouble and barely surviving the controversial 12th round to win a decision and retain his super middleweight title. Meeting in the rematch on HBO, Bute left no doubts.
The normally rock-chinned Andrade went down on the end of a short and sneaky left hand with just more than a minute left in the fourth. Bute kept pounding away when the fight resumed and eventually landed a left to Andrade's gut. It hurt just to watch it. Imagine how Andrade felt: The look on his face showed he was in agony as he slumped to his knees, bent over and leaned his head on the canvas and struggled for his wind while referee Benjy Esteves reached 10.
Jay Directo/Getty ImagesAnd you were wondering why they call Brian Viloria "The Hawaiian Punch"?
Brian Viloria KO11 Ulises Solis (April 19 at Manila, Philippines): Viloria sure lived up to his nickname -- "The Hawaiian Punch" -- as he obliterated Solis with a single right hand to the chin to win a junior flyweight title with four seconds left in the round. Viloria got awesome leverage on the shot, turning into it with all his might. Solis went down to all fours and put his forehead on the canvas. Then he rolled over on his back, struggled to a sitting position and eventually went back to the mat, where medical personnel rushed to his side and gave him oxygen.
Peter Manfredo Jr. KO7 Walid Smichet (April 18 at Montreal): Manfredo, who starred in the first season of "The Contender," had been knocked out in three rounds by Sakio Bika five months earlier and was considering retirement. Electing to fight on, he went to Smichet's turf in Canada to try to get his career back on track -- and did just that with a devastating knockout win.
The fighters had been exchanging shots when Smichet landed a right hand. Almost simultaneously, Manfredo unloaded a right uppercut followed by a massive left hook. Smichet's punch did nothing to Manfredo. But Manfredo's blows short-circuited Smichet's entire body, which went limp as he turned and fell to his back, smashing his head on the mat as the fight was immediately called off.
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My brother's wife copped me one of those Pac-Man knows t-shirts for Christmas, she knows I'm a huge fight fan and has been to my place for several bigfights. I am afraid to wear it and be labeled a Pac-Man stan/fanboy.