I was going over a list of all the 2004 Olympians and was wondering if any had won a World Title yet. I couldnt find any of note. Certainly there are some closing in on a title shot... Povetkin, Mares, Blain, Gamboa, Lee, YP Hernandez, Khan, and Pittman are all ranked within the top 15 of some of the organizations. Probably left a couple out. (if there hasnt been one yet) Who do you think will be the first from this class to win a title?
I foresee some great things for Ward. He's playing it smart right now, getting some wins and developing his skills as a professional. I think he is one of the more naturally gifted and technical sound fighters to come out of the Class of '04, I see him holding a title soon enough.
Pittman could pull off an upset to win a potion of the world title at middleweight in about a month... Povetkin, Gamboa and Khan are very close to a shot at a championship...
I think the first could be Crusierweight Yoan Pablo Hernandez. Just based on the fact that he is ranked in all 4 divisons (5th by the WBA), and with Haye vacating all the belts he could get in line quickly. Espcially if he beats Braithwaite convincingly
Berto has a mandatory set up as well. Gannady Golovkin, Andy Lee and Alfredo Angulo all look like decent bets to get title shots in the next year and a half. Vicente Escobedo had a title shot but lost. Based on weight-class politics and people's likelihood of beating the person they're setting up for a title shot on, I wouldn't be surprised if Gamboa is the first. Hernandez would be another good guess due to all the soon-to-be vacancies in CW.
Gamboa, Povetkin, Khan, Andy Lee and Yoan Pablo stands a huge chance of winning world titles very soon.
The list of 2004 Olympians who alreade picked up a title: Andre Berto Karoly Balzsay Juan Manuel Lopez Yuri Gamboa (interim) I don't guarantee it's a complete list.
