Best Prospects... [revisited]

Drofrah · May 14, 2008

Smith said:

Why the **** are you lying, you voted Khan?We can see who voted, the poll is public.

Dousch bag.
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:rofl atsch

jupzrooni · May 14, 2008

PaddyD1983 said:

This is obviously a very subjective field and not one where general opinion can be definitive. However, I thought I'd give you a brief rundown on some prospects from around the globe and my opinions on them. I've rated them in a class system from A-D.

Class A
Amir Khan - In January I wrote 'the jury is still out for me' on Khan prior to the St. Clair fight. To be fair to Khan he put in a magical performance against the more experienced pro and then blasted his way through Kristjansen. The same criticisms remain over the calibre of opposition but Khan has been fortunate in that his division has seen some major changes since January. Nate Campbell beat Juan Diaz to take his titles and Casamayor beat Katsidis to earn himself #1 spot in the division. Add to that the fact that on a European level Thaxton was beaten by a very ordinary Romanov and it leaves Khan with lightweight at his feet! I would expect a title shot early next year and given the way he is progressing I wouldnt bet against him beating Campbell! I would fear for his safety though against Katsidis, Casamayor or Diaz at this stage. Khan also announced this month that he will changing trainer. A number of top names are in the mix. In my opinion, Roger Mayweather could improve Khan's defence and turn him into a champion. Favourite to land the role though is Buddy McGirt, someone Khan would do well to avoid.

Koki Kameda - the Japanese flyweight has been causing a bit of a stir in the far east! His celebrity status in Japan is comparable to Khan's here. Given that the majority of fighters in this division hail from East Asia or South West America, Kameda has done well to notch up a record of 17(11)-0-0 and the take WBA light flyweight title (at 19) before moving up to 112lbs. The little southpaw is 22 and determined to destroy whatever is put in front of him. He has fought Rexon Flores, Everardo Morales (both former WBO challengers), Juan Jose Landaeta (former WBA challenger) and Noel Arambulet (former WBA champion) - all this in 4 years. However he first hit fame when as a 14 year old he had an exhibition match with the then WBC champion Hiroki Ioka and astonishingly knocked the champion down in the first round. Unhurt Ioka continued and took a points victory but a legend was born. Kameda certainly has the potential to sell millions. He is loud, brash, arrogant and disrespectful to opponents. On the flip side there have been allegations of match fixing and many prominent champions at the weight have questioned the calibre of his opponents. For the time being however 'The Pit-bull of Osaka' is certainly one to watch!

Victor Ortiz - at 21(16)-1-1 his record doesnt do him justice, but 'Vicious' Victor Ortiz has bags of talent. He's 21 years old and battling his way up the competitive welterweight division. He knocked out former champion Carlos Maussa in one round and his last outing saw him rise off the canvas to knockout Dairo Esalas in a very professional performance. Khan and Ortiz have met previously in the junior championships where Khan was the victor, but the two would be unlikely to meet for some time given their existing weight differences. He doesnt have the 'dramarama' of other characters in the sport at the moment, but with hammers in his hands and the heart of a lion, Ortiz could certainly have an exciting future. Also, people cant criticise him for lack of quality opposition!

Class B

Andre Berto - Miami welterweight Berto is being touted as the man to knock Floyd Mayweather off his perch. With a record of 21[18]-0-0 it is evident that he can certainly bang!! Berto beat David Estrada last year to become number 1 contender for both IBF and WBC crowns. He has a fight this month which should lead to big things. He does have a major problem with making people miss his head with their fists however! In a division made up of tremendous talent and some massive punchers this could be lethal for the American. Until he is caught however he remains a genuine talent in the best division in the sport.

Denis Boystov - with a record of 21[18]-0-0 this 22 year old Russian is making waves in a much maligned heavyweight division. He won the WBC Youth Title (I had no idea it existed either!) in 2006 and has progressed at a good rate since. However he is yet to break into any of the governing bodies top tens. This is a concern in this division having had 20 fights and there being such little competition. I would expect Boystov to step up his number of fights and calibre of opponent and get himself ranked by early next year.

Class C

Yuriorkis Gamboa - he's Cuban and he's professional 'nuff said! But I'll say more anyway Gamboa is a very green superfeatherweight with a record of 9[8]-0-0 but is already being touted as a future pound for pound king. He has already beaten some ranked contenders and proves a very exciting prospect. Power in abundance, speed, reflexes and intelligence! The future looks bright for him. Gamboa's opponents have been of a much better standard than most prospects on this list and he has stopped them or knocked them out with ease so far. He would be a class A prospect if he had a handful more fights. This shouldnt take too long though seeing as he only turned pro 13 months ago!!

Abner Mares - Mexican bantamweight Mares has notched up 16(10)-0-0 and has already appeared at the Mandalay Bay a couple of times. Signed to De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions. Former Olympian Mares was robbed in 2004 Olympics when beaten by Hungarian Zsolt Bedak. And in his last outing Mares brutally stopped Diosdado Gabi in round 2 to put himself #3 in the WBO rankings.

Class D

Tony Bellew - its very early in this light heavyweight Scouser's career but Bellew has domestic critics excited. He's only had 5 professional fights but a record three ABA titles during his amateur career has put him on the prospects list. Bellew is a knockout artist, but since turning pro he has proved that there is more to his game. The biggest change though has been in his conditioning where he now looks like a professional athlete rather than a pub brawler.

Odlanier Solis - its what the world has been waiting for, a Cuban heavyweight. Solis looks good. But for me thats it. He looks good but no better. He'll be a contender and he'll make millions but I'm not expecting the saviour of the heavyweights to be in the form of Solis. He did beat Haye in the amateurs though!

Honourable mentions for Alexander Povetkin, JD Chapman, Roman Martinez, Joe Greene, Vernon Paris, Chris Arreola, Roman Gonzalez and both Peterson brothers (Anthony and Lamont)! (Didnt have time to write these up.)
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okay.good list. but where the hell is aj banal?

jupzrooni · May 14, 2008

Arran said:

Whats the point in this poll? The ESB Gamboa nuthuggers will make sure he wins this by at least 10,00000000 votes.
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hahaha. for sure. anyways koki kameda is class a? so, beating tomato cans although you are considered as a champ makes you a class a prospect? hell no

BigBone · May 14, 2008

Other prospects to watch out for:
-Alexeev,
-Hernandez (just lost),
-Shumenov,
-Jacobs,
-Golovkin,
-Lara (hopefully),
-Baysangurov,
-A. Angulo,
-Maidana,
-A. Peterson,
-Barthelemy,
-Juanma,
-R. Martinez,
-Banal,
-R. Gonzalez

PIPO23 · May 14, 2008

From sth east. Aj Banal and Michael Farenas and a few more coming up. Man, boxing taken off, over there. At the moment these 2 are my pick. explosive and exciting to watch prospects. But has a long way to go..

Odo · May 14, 2008

PaddyD1983 said:

I left Povetkin off this list for reasons already mentioned, but I'm not sure he hits hard enough to make the biggest impression at HW.
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You also left off someone like olympic silver medal winner Gennady Golovkin who beat Lee and knocked Bute out at the amateurs.

Anyway!

I for my part think that the most promising prospect is the former world amateur champ Alexander Alexeev who now fights at cruiser weight in the paid ranks.He is a muderous banger who was feared for his firepower at the amateurs.Once he brutally knocked out Viktor Zuev. Zuev is the hot favourite to win gold at cruiser at the upcomming olympic tournament in China.Odlanier Solis knows him well as he won a razor thin(20-19) point decision over him in the final of the amateur world championchip.
I guess that Alexeev will soon take over the cruiser weight division.He may even move up to heavyweight,but he seems to be too small to be a true top gun there.I may be wrong of course.

PaddyD1983 · May 14, 2008

jupzrooni said:

hahaha. for sure. anyways koki kameda is class a? so, beating tomato cans although you are considered as a champ makes you a class a prospect? hell no
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I know I left people out, I dont claim the list (or each class) is difinitive but the same criticism can be levelled at most people on the list. Kamedi I've called class A because... he has a belt, undefeated and 21 years old. His opponents have been poor but there's only a couple of people mentioned who have had decent opposition

albeziel · May 14, 2008

I voted other, I think Juan Mauel Lopez is the best prospect of all those on the list. Just wait for his fight against Ponce de Leon.

Brian123 · May 14, 2008

J.R. said:

Abner Mares tops my list. You couple his talent with the teaching of Nacho Beristain and I have no doubt that the kid is a sure future p4p elite. The rest of those prospects either haven't convinced me of that yet or I just plain haven't seem them fight... but Mares is a future star in this sport. Mark my words!
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Good call, nice looking future for this kid as well.

BENNY BLANCO · May 14, 2008

The guy in my avatar is the best prospect in boxing his name is
Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez.

PaddyD1983 · May 16, 2008

BENNY BLANCO said:

The guy in my avatar is the best prospect in boxing his name is
Juan Manuel "Juanma" Lopez.
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I aint seen Lopez fight yet, which of his fights would you recommend I watch? I'll try to dig some out on the net.

CJLightweight · May 16, 2008

PaddyD1983 said:

I aint seen Lopez fight yet, which of his fights would you recommend I watch? I'll try to dig some out on the net.
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how about just wait for his upcoming championship fight with ponce de leon:yep

PaddyD1983 · May 16, 2008

CJLightweight said:

how about just wait for his upcoming championship fight with ponce de leon:yep
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Oh I'll be watching but I like to be in a position to say to my mates 'I saw him against suchabody and he looked good'. Kind of makes me feel superior and smug :smoke

1lehudson · May 16, 2008

I told you guys some years back that the rise of the American supermiddleweight was almost here....Its here.

Amoung those I listed was Pavlik...Well looks like I was right about him.

Ward, Dirrell, Stevens, McGirt Jr(Ooops). I stand by that. Those are the best propects of becoming SUPERSTARS.

goldenboy · May 16, 2008

chavez jr homes!!

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