Who is the Best Young Fighter Today?

[Jim Trunzo]

If the heavyweight division is in doldrums, boxing's lighter divisions have experienced an influx of dynamic new names. Almost every division has some young blood who appears to have stardom in his future! I love to watch new fighters come into the game and develop; but I'm at an empass when trying to decide which of them will become a true superstar. The following poll has been developed to help me break my personal loggerhead by seeing what you gentlemen think (also, a general question - should this be placed on this site or on the Corner Works site - I truly want to support that fine effort)!

[shane6969]

I've seen Jermaine Taylor fight on the T.V and he looks quite impressive. He's a probable future MW champion, IMO. Apparently he MIGHT fight Sam Soliman in the near future, dunno if this is true or not, but it would be a good fight if it takes place. Also, Jim, I think you should post this type of question on both this forum and cornerwork, to cover both bases so to speak.

Cheers,

Shane.

[Brooks TVB]

you know, i watched Taylor in his last fight and he struggled with the guy. He is a good fighter and could one day be champ but he will need to face some better fighters before i can make that call. I like Juan Diaz, watched him fight Lavka Sim the other night. Sim can take a beating and did in that fight. Diaz has great hand speed, he is a little week on the power end but his boxing skill makes up for that. I vote for Juan Diaz. Not quite sure who Julio Diaz is yet.

[mh2365]

Originally Posted by Brooks TVB

you know, i watched Taylor in his last fight and he struggled with the guy.

That's why Taylor is so damn tough. He struggled against Marquez who, albeit a jr. middleweight, was 35-2 coming into the fight, yet he won every round and knocked Marquez down in the 9th and scored a TKO. He even was mad at himself after the fight for his poor performance. I know of at least 35 (guys who marquez beat) who wish they could have that poor of a performance.

Very quick, good power, best jab in boxing right now, and solid defensively. Not to mention he seems like a good kid. What's not to root for?

[PittPanther]

I'm assuming that you meant Juan Diaz in your poll.

[vistaman44]

Gotta go with my Arkansas boy. He's got skills!

[PittPanther]

I voted for Juan Diaz. . . he just has a certain something when he is the ring, call it generalship if you will. Couple that in with his superb handspeed and I do feel he will be a superstar.

As much as I like Cintron and Cotto, each one gets hit in the mug quite a bit.

Taylor does have skills, however, I need to see him in there with legitimate middies before I pass judgement.

Juarez, even with his hook, didn't look to me like a guy who has superstar quality in his last fight.

Bojado, hahahahahahahaha, he could be something, but I really don't think he will amount to a hill of beans. Unless he gets his head on straight, I don't see much of a future for him. Quite a shame.

Pinto not sure about him either. Guess will find out when he takes on Cotto in September.

What I really want to know is why didn't you include the rugged Ugandan Kassim Ouma? I know that he smokes pot, but he's a southpaw and very tough. I could see this guy doing pretty well.

However, I'm going to stick with Diaz.

By the way, that card last week on HBO, brought to us courtesy of Main Event, was fantastic!

[Gunsmoke]

I had to vote for Taylor 'cause I was sure if you meant Julio or Juan Diaz (I'd vote for Juan Diaz if he were there). BTW did anyone see that rediculous letter from Julio to Juan on Boxing Central. That wouldn't be a bad fight but I don't see it happening at the moment.

Jim - I have posted this poll at Cornerwork as well.

Cheers,
Mark

[Brooks TVB]

I do think we are missing a young fighter or 2 on there. Probably not what the poll is for but i like these guys and see good long careers for both.

Ricky Hatton and Acelino Freitas

[hamed]

I agree about Ouma. I'm looking forward to seeing him fight for the IBF title - too bad he was hurt in June. I'd also like to see one of the two WBA Jr. Middle champs - unbeaten Travis Simms fight again & defend his title.

[Gunsmoke]

Brooks,

I hope your right about hatton but I fear that Frank Warren is going to waste his best years defending that meaningless title of his.

Mark

[Brooks TVB]

I know he is planning a fight with Sharmba Mitchell ( whom i feel is not that good) sometime soon. If he wins that fight he is supposed to get a shot at Kostya later on. I personally like Hatton because he is exciting to watch but he has no defense and a fighter that can counter well with give him a fit. Freitas is the same way in that respect too.

[Gunsmoke]

I'll believe the Mitchell match up when I see it. I can't believe that the winner would get Kostya... I fear that we've seen the last of him.

[Hollywood Blond]

No, I think he meant Julio Diaz, guys.

[Hollywood Blond]

"Mighty" Mike Anchondo is another young guy I like a lot. I have been watching him on HBO Latino's Boxeo de Oro program and he has impressed me. I would love to see him face Jesus Chavez or Jorge Barrios.

[Bam Bam]

I like Jermain Taylor. My only concern is that the middleweight division doesnt have alot of big names,,,so compiling a good fighting resume could take awhile for him. Superstar status might be limited because of his division.

Ricky Hatton has already been mentioned and is one of my favorite young fighters.

Miguel Cotto,,I thought Cotto took some unfair criticism after his last fight, against an underated,,,physcially bigger guy who had never been put on the canvas before,,,Cotto is well beyond his age in terms of skill and maturity...That goes along way in boxing

I pic Cotto because I think in the long run he will have bigger fights available to him than will Taylor.

[PittPanther]

Now don't get me wrong, but didn't Julio Diaz's career get derailed with a few losses a couple years ago?

Didn't he lose to Manfredy?

I guess 'The Kidd" must be on the comeback trail.

[djday45]

Gotta agree with Ricky Hatton but being a Brit i am a little biased.
He reminds me of a bigger version of Barry McGuigan same amazing body punching and all action style.
Like McGuigan i think his star will burn brightly but not for long. Although Hatton has deceptive boxing ability we will always get into his share of "wars" which will shorten his prime.
In the meantime though we are in for some great fights lol

Rgds
Dean

[Hollywood Blond]

Originally Posted by PittPanther

Now don't get me wrong, but didn't Julio Diaz's career get derailed with a few losses a couple years ago?

Didn't he lose to Manfredy?

I guess 'The Kidd" must be on the comeback trail.

He lost to Manfredy, but most people thought it was a bum decision. Then he got knocked out in one round by Juan "Polo" Valenzuela, who is a spoiler of sorts but isn't known for having a big punch, so, yeah, that was bad. But Diaz has had some impressive wins lately, including a KO of Manfredy-defeater Courtney Burton and a one-sided decision win over Javier Jauregui.