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The Saviors: Ten to Save Boxing Over the Next Decade
 by Thomas Gerbasi (August 26, 2003)
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No Virginia, there is no Mike Tyson on the horizon to save a sport in dire need of a superstar.
But despite the forecasts of doom from those who consider Tiger Woods hitting a golf ball to be the height of athletic endeavor, boxing does survive. Even when Tyson had stopped whacking out opponents with frightening finality, the sport produced fighters like Chavez, Holyfield, Jones, and De La Hoya to appease the masses – to let them know that yes, there are some compelling athletes here to watch and some great stories to be told.
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What happens in the next ten years though, when the De La Hoyas and Joneses have either made their way into the sunset, or into the category of washed-up vets? Who will carry the torch for the sport, not just with skill, but also with personality? Because let’s face it, Chris Byrd has all the talent in the world, but do you want to see him fight?
So here are ten prospects, not necessarily the most talented prospects, but the ones who have the total package (or at least one shining attribute) that will help keep the sport afloat over the next decade.
In no particular order…
1) Jeff Lacy, super middleweight - Bringing the pain befitting a guy nicknamed “Left Hook”, Lacy is a power puncher with an affinity for spectacular knockouts, always a strong selling point. The former Olympian has also shown heart when dealing with injuries and adversity down the stretch of tough distance fights. Could probably beat (and definitely be competitive with) most of the 168-pound top ten, with the exceptions of standouts like Joe Calzaghe, Sven Ottke, and Antwun Echols. Modeling deal with Everlast is working wonders for his exposure.
Age – 26
Record – 15-0, 12 KOs
The Hook – Power, mammoth build, a mini-Holyfield.
Hold The Hype – May have trouble with movers; will his power stay the same when the level of competition rises?
Current Exposure –
ESPN, Showtime
2) Jermain Taylor, middleweight – “Bad Intentions” was a question mark for much of his young career, not giving the spectacular performances of some of his 2000 Olympic teammates. But in the last year, and with the level of competition rising, the Arkansas native with the quiet charm and solid all-around skills has looked like the next middleweight champion. The only question is, will he be moved properly or rushed into a fight with current middleweight king Bernard Hopkins, a fight that could resemble a modern version of Davey Moore vs. Roberto Duran? Like Lacy, has a modeling deal with Everlast that is putting his face in magazines not exclusive to boxing fans.
Age – 25
Record – 17-0, 12 KOs
The Hook – A true Southern Gentleman; has all the tools.
Hold The Hype – Still thinking too much in the ring; may not have the power to gain respect at higher levels.
Current Exposure – HBO, ESPN
3) Joe Mesi, heavyweight – The old man of the group at 29, Mesi is biggest question mark of the group, but also the one with the highest possible upside. Having shown flashes of talent in his 26-fight career, “Baby Joe” is the biggest industry in Buffalo, NY, this side of the Bills. With Mesi as champion, the heavyweight division would see its most mainstream action since Tyson’s heyday. First, he has to get past tough DaVarryl Williamson in September; a fight that will go a long way towards establishing some needed credibility.
Age – 29
Record – 26-0, 24 KOs
The Hook – White, bright, and polite; an Italian-American heavyweight (sound familiar?).
Hold The Hype – Knockouts may reflect his opposition, not his power; defense is spotty; size.
Current Exposure - ESPN
4) Francisco Bojado, junior welterweight – The only fighter with a loss among our little group here, “Panchito” has hopefully learned his lesson about preparation and underestimating opponents. When on, he’s a must-see fighter, with flash, left hooks to the body, and enough power to make things interesting. A future version of Fernando Vargas, or a flash in the pan? Only time will tell. He’s still only 20, so he can either bite down on his mouthpiece and aim for greatness, or believe his newspaper clippings and become “Paunchito”, complete with a short, unfulfilling career.
Age – 20
Record – 13-1, 11 KOs
The Hook – Flashy, has the Mexican warrior shtick down.
Hold The Hype – Questions about his work ethic; will ego get the best of him?
Current Exposure – Showtime, NBC
5) Miguel Cotto, junior welterweight – Two words: Felix Trinidad. With “Tito” retired, Cotto holds the hopes of Puerto Rico in his fists, and with Bob Arum running the show, those hopes have a good chance of being realized. Not as explosive as Trinidad, Cotto is more versatile, and at 140 pounds, he will have a ton of future superfights to choose from over the next decade.
Age – 22
Record – 16-0, 13 KOs
The Hook – The next Puerto Rican superstar; fundamentally sound.
Hold The Hype – has good names on his record, but has caught them on the way out.
Current Exposure – ESPN, Telefutura, HBO
6) Kermit Cintron, junior welterweight – With a nickname like “Killer”, this Puerto Rican bomber has to be good. Yet as quiet as he is, he may have to rename himself “Assassin”. Bottom line, though, is that this kid can crack, and he will only get better as the years go by. May really be scary in three to four years.
Age – 23
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Record – 19-0, 18 KOs
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The Hook – Painted hair and brutal punching power.
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Hold The Hype – Still a bunch of unanswered questions about his level of competition and his ability to handle slick boxers.
> Current Exposure – NBC,
Showtime, Telefutura
7) Mike Anchondo, junior lightweight – Go to any fight involving “Mighty Mike”, and you’ll know why he may be the next big thing. As the old blues song goes, “The men don’t know, but the little girls understand.” If you’ve got the girls screaming, half the battle is done. Luckily, Anchondo can fight with a style that even the guys will like, and as a member of the Golden Boy Promotions stable, Anchondo will not only get exposure, but he’ll get tested. Still at least a year or two away from serious title contention.
Age – 21
Record – 21-0, 17 KOs
The Hook – Looks and Hooks, the heir to the “Golden Boy” throne.
Hold The Hype – May be a step behind some of his fellow prospects; will have to work hard to get up to speed with the elite of the division.
Current Exposure – HBO
Latino
8) Paulie Malignaggi, junior welterweight – You can just hear the masses chanting, “Paul-ie, Paul-ie”, but you’d more likely hear them yelling “Kill Paulie.” Has that rare personality that makes fans love to hate him. Even more incredibly, outside the ring Malignaggi is one of the nicest kids in the game. When not antagonizing the crowd, Malignaggi has speed, moves, and flash. Once he starts sitting down on his punches and keeping his defensive focus for an entire fight, he may become the surprise of the 140-pound class.
Age – 22
Record – 14-0, 5 KOs
The Hook – The fighter you love to hate. Naseem Hamed with a Brooklyn, not Sheffield accent.
Hold The Hype – Defense needs work; still slaps too much.
Current Exposure – ESPN
9) Rocky Juarez, featherweight – The surprise class of the Class of 2000, the ex-Olympian may be the first one of his peers to win a world title. A crowd pleaser with deceptive power, Juarez has faced quality opposition and has also shown the ability to close the show in style. Exposure on NBC doesn’t hurt either.
Age – 23
Record – 17-0, 13 KOs
The Hook – Named after Rocky Marciano; Juarez is an action fighter who does a lot of things well
Hold The Hype – Is he too patient? How will he deal with a slickster?
Current Exposure
– NBC, Showtime
10) Anthony Thompson, welterweight – Recently signed to Top Rank, Thompson should move rapidly through a weak welterweight division, especially with Bob Arum pushing him. A well-decorated amateur star, “The Messenger” also promotes a positive image that should attract new fans. Oh yeah, he can fight too, and his Philly upbringing gives him credibility among the hardcore fans.
Age – 22
Record – 12-0, 9 KOs
The Hook – Mature young man who should rise up the ranks quickly
Hold The Hype – Too early to fully judge him
Current Exposure – Fox,
ESPN
Others to
watch
– Mohammed Abdullaev (junior welterweight), Audley Harrison (heavyweight), BJ Flores (heavyweight), Robert Guerrero (featherweight), Brian Viloria (flyweight), Yuri Foreman (junior middleweight), Elena Reid (junior bantamweight), Sechew Powell (junior middleweight), Daniel Ponce-DeLeon (bantamweight), Jesus Gonzales (middleweight), Fernando Montiel (junior bantamweight), Kelson Pinto (junior welterweight), Juan Diaz (junior welterweight), Chris Smith (welterweight).
E-Mail Thomas Gerbasi at tgerbasi@mindspring.com
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