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Rizwaan
Zahid
Edwin Valero: 26-0, all knockouts
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Stars to Shine in '10
By Rizwaan Zahid
of The Boxing Amusement Park
The past year allowed some
notable names to emerge in our sport. A few fighters went from prospect
to contender, while some made the leap from contender to champion.
Fighters like Robert Guerrero, Timothy Bradley,
Amir Khan, Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa may be in line for an
outstanding year in 2010. These fighters are all already champions, in
one way or another, but may be able to move up the so-called
pound-for-pound ladder in boxing.
Guerrero, after barely making an appearance in 2008 with his personal
and professional problems, emerged in 2009 as an up-and-coming American
superstar. "The Ghost" already has seen the highs and lows of the
sport.After a questionable no-contest verdict against Indonesian Daud
Cino Yordan, many questioned his heart and determination in the sport.
In his fight against Efren Hinojosa, Guerrero silenced those critics by
fighting through a cut, then followed up with a methodical and
technical display against Malcolm Klassen. Guerrero looks as if he’ll
campaign in the super featherweight division, where there aren't many
name-brand opponents. There are, however, big names in both the
featherweight and lightweight divisions, where Guerrero has campaigned
before. Potential opponents include Daniel Ponce De Leon, Chris John or
a rematch with Yordan.
Timothy Bradley may be one of the most underrated fighters in the sport.
The Palm Springs native has shown much improvement in his last few
fights and has beaten quality fighters this past year. Despite being
knocked down hard in the opening round against Kendall Holt, Bradley
popped back up and outboxed Holt the rest of the way. Bradley also was
doing quite well against Nate Campbell before a cut caused by an
accidental head butt left Campbell unable to continue, resulting in a
no-contest. He followed that with a quality win over Lamont Peterson,
knocking the game challenger down and hurting him on several occasions
on his way to a unanimous-decision victory. There are many fighters in
the light welterweight division who loom as future opponents for
Bradley. Amir Khan, Juan Urango, Marcos Maidana, Michael Katsidis, Devon
Alexander, or a rematch with Nate Campbell may be on his horizon. But
Bradley's style -- numerous punches, good boxing skills, a mix of speed
and power -- would pose problems for all of the light welterweights.
Many fighters may move up from the lightweight division, most
notably Edwin Valero (26-0, 26 KOs). And don't count out the possibility
that Bradley could step in for Floyd Mayweather and fight Manny Pacquiao.
Amir Khan may only be 23, but for a 23-year-old Khan has already had a
bundle of experience. The 2004 Olympic silver medalist has bounced back
in 2009 after being knocked out in 56 seconds in '08 by Breidis
Prescott. This year, Khan comfortably handled the legendary Marco
Antonio Barrera, then captured his first world title with a decisive
victory over Andrei Kotelnik, a fighter whose previous two losses
against Souleymane M'baye and Junior Witter were quite controversial.
Khan’s first defense saw him dismantle American hopeful Dmitry Salita in
76 seconds. Khan plans to become a fixture in the U.S. in '10, since
that's where the majority of the light welterweights are, and because
L.A. is the home of his trainer, Freddie Roach. Khan’s chin is known to
be quite fragile, and the thought is that despite his brilliant skill,
he can be knocked down and out with just about anything. But he's
stronger then ever, mentally, bouncing back from a devastating loss and
improving in just about every fight. Physically the British native is
campaigning at 140 and is probably even more comfortable at that weight
then he was at 135. With rumors of HBO putting together a four-man light
welterweight tournament, Khan may be able to take over the 140-pound
division.
Juan Manuel Lopez had a busy 2009 and impressive performances before he
was nearly upset by Rogers Mtagwa. Lopez believes making the junior
featherweight limit hurt his growing body and feels that he’s stronger
at 126 where, in his division debut, he’ll fight Steven Luevano. In his
fight with Gerry Penalosa, Lopez broke records for power punches landed
in a single round (84 in round eight), leading to a corner stoppage. He
followed that with a patient victory over the awkward Olivier Lontchi
before slipping past Mtagwa. If Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa are able to
win their respective fights in the doubleheader on January 23rd, they'll
probably face each other sometime in the spring or summer, a certain
candidate for Fight of the Year. Another possibility for Lopez is a
rematch with Mtagwa.
Yuriorkis Gamboa will have his hands full when he
fights Mtagwa, who gave Lopez all he could handle. Though Gamboa has
impressed many with his speed, he does have a sense of vulnerability.
Although Gamboa usually is keen on ending fights early, he should take
his time and cruise to a comfortable win on the scorecards, then take
the megafight with Lopez.
We would hope more young superstars like these emerge in 2010, creating
spectacular fights that do not have allegations about weight and steroid
testing. Perhaps at the end of the year we won’t be even talking about
Mayweather and Pacquiao, but the Guerreros, Bradleys, Khans, Juan-mas
and Gamboas of the sport.
More columns
by Rizwaan Zahid:
The Grinches steal Christmas
Malignaggi-Diaz showed why instant replay is
needed
Williams, Martinez show why they're avoided
Lucian Bute impresses America, and the world
James Kirkland: So promising, yet so wasteful
Suspension for foul language?
That's bull$#:+!!!
Pacquiao-Cotto: Who wins?
Super Six Will Still Have Controversies
Haye, Angulo proved little
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