WelshDevilRob Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Boxing Saviors: The Current Crop - 2010 by: Thomas Gerbasi on 05-28-2010. The prospect - the most enticing of all fighters, and at the same time, the most unpredictable. Will the kid who looks great against journeymen in four rounders blossom into an all-time great, or at the very least, a world champion? Or will he fold the second he fights an opponent who fights back, or one who tags him on the chin? That’s the great unknown when it comes to this sport, and promotional and managerial careers are broken or made based on these picks. And you can call the following folks prospects; I’ll just call them prospective saviors, because the ten fighters below represent young men who can not only fight, but that have the X factor when it comes to crossing over into a wider market, hence the savior tag. Because there will always be good fighters coming and going through the sport. Stars are a whole other story. First a couple of ground rules – these aren’t necessarily boxing’s top ten prospects; they are prospects with star potential. Second, there are no world champions here because those fighters have already carved out a niche in the fight game. Saul Alvarez / welterweight Age - 19 Record – 32-0-1 (24 KOs) The Hook – Mexico’s next big thing Hold The Hype – Quality of opposition, defense If you’re Mexican and you can fight, you can pretty much write your ticket in terms of big fights and fan support. Jeez, even if you can’t and your last name is Chavez you can make a lucrative living, but I digress. Saul Alvarez doesn’t look like any Mexican fighter you’ve ever seen, with his red hair and freckled face, and once you get past that intriguing look, his record amazes, especially considering that he’s only 19 years old (and according to his manager, there may be even more victories not listed on his official slate). But…Alvarez does get the automatic skeptic’s appraisal due to his early level of competition, making the rest of 2010 key for him. In May, he got his first major gut check in the form of veteran Jose Miguel Cotto and he passed that test after some shaky early moments by stopping Cotto in the ninth round. Promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Alvarez will have ample opportunity to shine on the world stage, and if his chin holds up and his stiff style loosens up a bit, he could make a lot of noise. Demetrius Andrade / junior middleweight Age - 22 Record – 10-0 (7 KOs) The Hook – Dynamic style and personality Hold The Hype – Can he get on HBO and Showtime consistently? One of the few bright spots on a disappointing 2008 United States Olympic team, Andrade has been a quick study in the pro ranks, walking through everyone he has faced thus far. Talent-wise, the kid from Providence has all the tools, and the personality to cross over should he make it to the top. He’s got some TV looks already, but will his promoters Artie Pelullo and Joe DeGuardia be able to get him the premium cable dates necessary to take him to the next level in the next year or two? Kenny Galarza / junior welterweight Age - 24 Record – 13-0 (13 KOs) The Hook – Puerto Rican power Hold The Hype – Does anyone know who he is yet? You would think that a Puerto Rican power puncher with 13 knockouts in 13 fights without a loss would be getting more ink or push at this point, especially in the boxing world, but that hasn’t been the case for the 24-year old from Ponce. Sure he’s fought his share of no-hopers while competing on undercards at the Hard Rock in Hollywood, Florida, but in his last three fights he took out decent competition in Joshua Allotey (TKO10), Ilido Julio (TKO4), and Miguel Casillas (TKO3). He may not turn out to be a Felix Trinidad or Miguel Cotto, but Galarza can punch and he’s exciting – isn’t that worth a second look? George Groves / super middleweight Age - 22 Record – 9-0 (7 KOs) The Hook – He’s a British super middleweight – enough said Hold The Hype – Only 9-0 and the hype train is in gear - will he be moved too fast? Maybe it’s something in the water in the UK, but the land across the pond sure can produce world-class super middleweights – Chris Eubank, Nigel Benn, Steve Collins, Joe Calzaghe, Carl Froch, etc. The latest 168-pound phenom is London’s George Groves, and with his sixth round TKO of Charles Adamu in April, he’s already annexed the Commonwealth title. In the ring, Groves can do it all, and as a sparring partner, he’s drawn rave reviews from none other than Froch. But given his talent, his confidence, and his management (David Haye’s Hayemaker team), will he be pushed too fast? It worked for Haye though, so it is possible that lightning can strike twice. One thing’s for sure though; once Groves emerges from the Euro scene, he will certainly be ready for prime time. Fernando Guerrero / middleweight Age - 23 Record – 18-0 (15 KOs) The Hook – Local kid does good things in his community, except when it comes to his opponents Hold The Hype – Still raw Southpaw Fernando Guerrero is a rarity in boxing these days – a local attraction who was built up on the local scene and accepted and ferociously supported by his community. That used to be the norm in the fight game, but with the exception of guys like Paul Spadafora in Pittsburgh, Joe Mesi in Buffalo, and Kelly Pavlik in Youngstown, along with a few others, it isn’t seen much anymore. But in Salisbury, Maryland, the Dominican Republic born Guerrero is a legitimate star, and it’s not just because of his exciting style and KO power, but because of his work inside the community. This support will take him far when he takes his game to the next level, and while still raw and in need of some defensive refinement, he has the talent to make that move, and if his two round drubbing of Michael Walker in April is any indication, it may be sooner rather than later. Quadtrine Hill / heavyweight Age - 27 Record – 1-0 (1 KO) The Hook – Former college football star hits the ring Hold The Hype – Lack of experience, no promotional muscle behind him Here’s my wildcard pick. Former University of Miami fullback Quadtrine Hill is a great athlete, has a great story, and the personality and charisma to go far in whatever he chooses to do in life. But will that be in the boxing ring? Having just picked up the sport, Hill has a huge mountain to climb, and while little can be taken from a couple amateur bouts and a 1:50 knockout win in his pro debut in February, we do know that he can punch. But is he willing to put the time in to make this his career? And can the little known “Heavyweight Factory” in Florida move him the right way? If I was a betting man, I’d have to say no, but if all the stars are aligned, Hill could be a heavyweight to watch out for. Daniel Jacobs / middleweight Age - 23 Record – 20-0 (17 KOs) The Hook – The Chosen One Hold The Hype – Needs a step up in competition…yesterday Here in New York, there is no shortage of hype when it comes to our top fighters. But the one fighter of the last ten years who everyone agreed was deserving of the hype was Danny Jacobs. A former amateur star, it was a shocker when Jacobs didn’t make the Olympic team, but as a pro, he has dazzled. In fact, he has dazzled so much that even though he has beaten some decent pros like Ishe Smith, Michael Walker, and George Walton, most observers believe he needs a step up in competition right away so that we don’t have to watch him beat up the overmatched Juan Astorgas of the world. Jacobs has all the tools to not only win a title, but to earn a spot on the pound for pound list, but if he’s this good, we need to start seeing it against fighters on a higher plain. Matt Korobov / middleweight Age - 27 Record – 11-0 (8 KOs) The Hook – Russian destroyer Hold The Hype – Nothing yet – we’ll have to see how he does on the next level. All you really need to know about Saint Petersburg’s Matt Korobov is that he’s managed by Cameron Dunkin and promoted by Top Rank. For the uninitiated, that means that he is being moved by a promotional company that may be the best in moving hot prospects and that he is being managed by a man whose keen eye for talent is second to none. Beyond that, the kid can fight. He’s got good power, good fundamentals, and has delivered to the tune of a perfect 11-0 pro record. The only things we need to see are whether his chin can hold up against a puncher, if he can handle the next level of competition, and how he reacts in a dogfight. If he passes those tests, the future at 160 pounds looks bright considering prospective dance partners like Fernando Guerrero and Danny Jacobs. Edwin Rodriguez / super middleweight Age - 25 Record – 15-0 (11 KOs) The Hook – New England kid with power and poise Hold The Hype – East coast bias Part of a new wave of Dominican Republic born fighters making some noise in the boxing world (along with Fernando Guerrero and Argenis Mendez), Edwin Rodriguez is a former US amateur champion who has made a seamless transition to the pro game while becoming a local favorite in his adopted hometown of Worcester, Massachusetts. That’s a double-edged sword, because while New Englanders are passionate about their fighters, outside of the region, these same fighters are met with a dose of skepticism that sometimes takes a while to shake. Rodriguez keeps doing his thing though, and he’s been fighting the perfect mix of journeymen and vets in his first two years as a pro. Add in his affiliation with DiBella Entertainment, and he’ll get the opportunity to be seen nationwide in the coming years. Deontay Wilder / heavyweight Age - 24 Record – 10-0 (10 KOs) The Hook – America’s best heavyweight hope Hold The Hype – Does America even care about heavyweights anymore? The United States boxing team’s lone medalist in the 2008 Olympics, Bronze winner Deontay Wilder has kind of flown under the radar thus far as a pro despite a stellar 10-0 record with all wins coming by knockout. Why? Who knows, but you would think that Golden Boy Promotions would really start putting the 6 foot 7 Alabama native out there, especially considering the dismal state of the heavyweight division here in the states. Well, maybe they’ve started, as Wilder’s last two bouts have been in Las Vegas, introducing him to the fight capital of the world. And while Wilder is raw, he is exciting (eight of his ten knockouts have come in the first round), and if there’s one thing we need from our big men, it’s excitement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Galarza (who I had been hyping, thankfully Ringnews24 was down when I tried to put an article on him up) was thoroughly beaten by the now 12-0 (4) Brad "Busy Bee" Solomon on points (scores judge: Emil Conforti 99-90 | judge: Tom Nardone 100-89 | judge: Don Trombley 100-89) Felix Diaz is worth a mention, stupidly talented and a great Am. a lil small for a LWW though Khetag Kozaev looks to be one worth keeping an eye on (and I get slated for it due to my love of Eastern Europeans..) ditto Kubrat Pulev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheelchair Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Some of these guys need to step up their quality of opposition before we know how good they really are....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 Daniel Jacobs is apparently fighting Dmitry Pirog July 31st, so that will be quite some test and about time Jacobs stepped up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Pirog v Jacobs is an interesting one indeed Good bunch of youngsters from the Phillipines coming through too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonRingRules Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Re: Boxing Saviors: The Current Crop - 2010 Boxing Saviors: The Current Crop - 2010 by: Thomas Gerbasi on 05-28-2010. The prospect - the most enticing of all fighters, and at the same time, the most unpredictable. Quadtrine Hill / heavyweight Age - 27 Record – 1-0 (1 KO) The Hook – Former college football star hits the ring Deontay Wilder / heavyweight Age - 24 Record – 10-0 (10 KOs) The Hook – America’s best heavyweight hope ------- Hey, Gerbasi, hate to be a bearer of ill tidings, but the above ain't even prospects yet...........no way! C'mon, man, I know you gotta fill space with something, but really, the above just makes you look silly putty silly. At their current rate of development, they might become prospects in 2-3 yrs, Hill is a novice...............DUH, and Wilder is being wet nursed to become a fringe prospect. Moreover, Daniel Jacobs is already a top 20 contender, and Alvarez has been knocking around on some top 10 lists for a year now. Stop blowin' smoke and get with the program. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 Also forgot Benavidez you want a super prospect look at this kid. He'll be brought along slowly (6-0 all by KO for now) but is really special. Some have compared him to SRR ALREADY. When Ringnews24 gets back up properly ill do a weekly prospects column under my real name if thats ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted June 7, 2010 Author Share Posted June 7, 2010 Re: Boxing Saviors: The Current Crop - 2010 Boxing Saviors: The Current Crop - 2010 by: Thomas Gerbasi on 05-28-2010. The prospect - the most enticing of all fighters, and at the same time, the most unpredictable. Quadtrine Hill / heavyweight Age - 27 Record – 1-0 (1 KO) The Hook – Former college football star hits the ring Deontay Wilder / heavyweight Age - 24 Record – 10-0 (10 KOs) The Hook – America’s best heavyweight hope ------- Hey, Gerbasi, hate to be a bearer of ill tidings, but the above ain't even prospects yet...........no way! C'mon, man, I know you gotta fill space with something, but really, the above just makes you look silly putty silly. At their current rate of development, they might become prospects in 2-3 yrs, Hill is a novice...............DUH, and Wilder is being wet nursed to become a fringe prospect. Moreover, Daniel Jacobs is already a top 20 contender, and Alvarez has been knocking around on some top 10 lists for a year now. Stop blowin' smoke and get with the program. I agree with you regarding the Heavyweights though atleast Wilder is fighting regular and being trained. Hill from his very regular updates on Facebook is drinking and partying while occasionally moaning about a back injury. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted June 7, 2010 Share Posted June 7, 2010 How about the Mc Arroyo twins? ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WelshDevilRob Posted June 9, 2010 Author Share Posted June 9, 2010 How about the Mc Arroyo twins? ;-) Not heard of them, iam. Any info? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 24 year old Puerto Rican twins (always a good selling point), McJoe and McWillians (I kid you not). both are 3-0 (Joe has 1 KO and Williams 3) it's McWilliams you want to take not of, despite both being class AM's McJoe winning bronze at the world boxing cup McWilliams won Puerto Rico's first ever gold there beating a mongolian 18-2 in the final. Another Peurto Rican worth mentioning is Carlos Negron (9-0, 7KO's) a 6'6'' 22 year old cruiserweight (making the weight very comfortably for now) with an 83 inch reach and stupid looking power. Negron has big card experience (fought at MSG twice now) and is a talented AM (2003 Jr Olympics-Gold, 2005 Pan AM-Bronze, 2006 Central Americas-Bronze amongst others), went 93-9 apparently as an amatuer. McWilliams was featured in my column this week for RN24 and my personal blog...hint hint ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davemurphy Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Re: Boxing Saviors: The Current Crop - 2010 I agree with you regarding the Heavyweights though atleast Wilder is fighting regular and being trained. Hill from his very regular updates on Facebook is drinking and partying while occasionally moaning about a back injury. Rob- Yeah, that's what kwfightfan, Aaron Skinner, was telling me the other day. If Hill's not got the ability to toe the line while at this infancy level of his career, it doesn't bode well. I don't know WHY everyone gets all excited when these ex- football players take up boxing, we've been down this road so many times everybody knows the eventual outcome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mofo2 Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Got to add this lad to the list...he is gonna be Big, i'm convinced of it :-) Tony Bellew division light heavyweight Statistics Real name Anthony Bellew Nickname(s) Bomber, The Wavertree Bomber Rated at Light Heavyweight Height 6′ 2½″ / 189cm Reach 80 inches Nationality British Birth date November 30, 1982 (1982-11-30) (age 27) Birth place Liverpool Stance Orthodox Boxing record Total fights 13 Wins 13 Wins by KO 9 Losses 0 Draws 0 No contests Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheelchair Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Yeah he looks quite good so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iamasadlittleboy Posted June 9, 2010 Share Posted June 9, 2010 Bellew fights in a few weeks folks Martin Tucker Maxim Vlasov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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