The Vegasinsider.com Boxing Power Rankings have reached a standstill. After the masses where entertained in a Madison Square Garden exchange between Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, boxing’s summer schedule has taken a turn for the worst.
Leading the headlines was the much anticipated return of Floyd Mayweather Jr. to the ring after 16 months of layoff. But the scheduled July 18 showdown against Juan Manuel Marquez has been postponed until further notice due to a rib injury to Mayweather.
Some other fights that would have filled the summertime schedule with excitement included Kelly-Pavlik-Sergio Mora, Fernando Montiel-Eric Morel and Chris John-Rocky Juarez. But these three matches have all taken a backseat with reasons ranging from blood disorders to contract disputes. Basically, what was planned to be a few months of fun in the sun is now being headlined by semi-popular bouts across the country and globe.
And so a revamp of the Power Rankings will be delayed until further notice. But in the mean time how about we take a gander at the youth of the sport, more specifically the young boxing products which could very well be the future. While we await the mega fighters to get their priorities straight, maybe the up-and-comers in the sport can fill the void that the veterans have left in their wake.
Below is a list of the five top prospects (or those that could still be considered prospects based on age and experience) and what’s been penciled in on the calendar. This is not a ranking system but more like an outlook of those who are making a name for themselves.
Daniel Jacobs (16-0-0, 14 KOs) – middleweight
Topping out the list, Daniel Jacobs looks to be the real deal. Minus his last unanimous decision win against Michael Walker (19-1-2, 12 KOs), Jacobs had taken five straight matches by KO or TKO. His level of talent looks to be miles ahead of most other fighters at the youthful age of 22. But instead of the usual speed and/or power skills that are obvious markers for weighing a fighter’s worth, Jacobs has proficiency that shouldn’t be taken lightly; ring vision. As they say, many things can be taught in a classroom or in life experience but instinct is engrained. So the best-of-the-best prospects in 2009 will go up against 35-year-old journeyman, George Walton (20-3-0, 12 KOs) in a scheduled 10-rounder on ESPN this Friday (Jun. 25). Most books are hesitant in setting odds for this bout as of Thursday, but look for Jacobs to be installed anywhere from a $7.00 to $8.00 favorite if my “guesstimation” is close to correct. There are big things in the future for “The Golden Child”. Keep him on your radar.
James Kirkland (25-0-0, 22 KOs) – light middleweight
If it wasn’t for an Apr. 19 firearm arrest, Kirkland could have very well positioned himself near the top of the junior middleweight division. Scheduled to take on Michael Walker on the May 2, Ricky Hatton-Manny Pacquiao fight, Kirkland was scratched from the card. His future is very much a looming question mark. This isn’t the first time that the Texas born and raised boxer has been in trouble with the law. But trouble aside until we can decipher if and when he’ll fight next, Kirkland possess the necessary skill set to turn his young career into a lasting impression. A six-round TKO over Joel Julio on March 7, proceeded by another TKO over Brian Vera, served as an example to what the future might hold. To put it plainly, Kirkland is an all out offensive force (can anyone say Edison Miranda?). He hasn’t met a true counter puncher to prove his defensive shortcomings, but on a scale of 1 to 10 in the relentlessness department the southpaw registers an 11 on the rector scale. We don’t know what will immediately result from the weapons possession arrest, but if Kirkland gets another chance in the ring he’ll be something to talk about for years to come.
Andre Ward (19-0-0, 12 KOs) – super middleweight
Some bettors, fans and readers might have a problem placing Andre Ward in this list. A good reason, and maybe the best explanation, is that Ward already has filed in a win against power puncher, Edison Miranda (32-3-0, 28 KOs). Despite the fact that the exchange could have lulled even the most hardcore of fans to sleep it’s still a cold, hard fact that Ward faced a legitimate professional. Not many young fighters can claim that they fought a professional and caliber fighter like Miranda at this early stage of their career. But Ward is hanging onto that fine line of prospects being that he’s 25 (and not in his early 20s). Versatility is Ward’s No. 1 asset. A 73-inch reach combined with solid power balances out the fact that “S.O.G. (Son of God)” can fight both inside and out. Ward still has plenty to accomplish if he wants to go up against the Mikkel Kesler’s of the world, but what places him in this list is the fact that he’s off to a great start.
Victor Ortiz (23-1-1, 18 KOs) – junior welterweight
He’s created a deep fan base. He’s only 22 and he’s almost in the top-10 world rankings in the light welterweight division. Victor Ortiz is rapidly gaining notoriety for his eight straight wins by way of knockout. What makes “Vicious” unique is his southpaw stance despite claiming to be a natural right hander. And there’s great reason why, to this day, that Ortiz utilizes the southpaw style; he’s got incredible power in the left-hand. The single defeat on his record is cause for some debate (ended in a DQ loss in 2005), but watch the replay of the beat down on Mike Arnaoutis in March of this year, or the second round TKO win over Jeffrey Resto late last year and that single defeat is almost meaningless. And if you haven’t seen Ortiz in action or want to continue following this kid’s success then a Saturday bout against hard hitting, Marcos Rene Maidana from Argentina is perfect for some Saturday night entertainment. HBO will be broadcasting the WBA title fight at 11:00 p.m. EDT.
Juan Manuel Lopez (25-0-0, 23 KOs) – super bantamweight
Who says the lighter weight fights aren’t action packed? Juan Manuel Lopez is the next best thing coming out of Puerto Rico. At 25, he’s already ranked No. 3 in the division, has captured the WBO super bantamweight title and is now scheduled to throw down against Olivier Lontchi for yet another step forward in his young career. Lopez has defended his title three times since first taking it out of the grips of Daniel Ponce de Leon in June of ’08. Before his last opponent (Garry Penalosa retired in the 10th round in an April get-together), Lopez had amassed an outstanding, nine straight wins by way of knockout (his last fight to go the distance was all the way back on June of 2006). In his last eight matches the WBO champ has averaged just 3.6 rounds per fight.
But more important then resumes and vital statistics is the sheer ability that Lopez carries onto the mat. Personally, I witnessed Lopez on the undercard of the Pacquiao-De La Hoya fight in Vegas last year, and I was impressed by the power and tenacity that Lopez had over Sergio Manuel Medina (33-1-0). It was a quick, first round TKO that demonstrated quick hands with a no nonsense mentality. Besides Miguel Cotto, who I don’t truly feel reflects Puerto Rican pride like Felix Trinidad embraced, Lopez is the future coming off the Caribbean island with the rich tradition it’s donated to boxing. Lopez’s meeting against Lontchi will take place on Saturday in Atlantic City. Unfortunately, Top Rank will go PPV for this fight. With Kelly Pavlik pulling out of this weekend’s bout, Top Rank decided to go ahead and move Lopez as the main attraction.
Joshua Jacobs can be reached at jacobs@vegasinsider.com.
