By Tewodore: The Flames from the Boxing Torch are burning uncontrollably. The veterans have done their part and are continuing strong guiding the youngsters down the storied halls of the sweet science. All around the globe boxing gyms are opening at a unprecedented rate. The fire is truly out of control will these pugilist be burned trying to handle the uncontrollable flames of boxing. Do they have what it takes to reach the pinnacle with the torch in hand while lighting the dreary landscape of the sporting world. Without further ado I give you PASSING THE TORCH PART II.
Gennady Golovkin this bruiser from Kazakhstan is on fire his cool calm demeanor is a change of pace, but his talent is undeniable.G3 or as I like to call him Gennady the Destroyer. It’s been a long time since I have seen a man that makes me wanna put on body armor just to watch him fight. In his last contest against Macklin that shot to the liver was so hard I was also curled up like a baby on the floor.
Pros: Not only does Golovkin hit hard he has a humungous amateur background of 300 plus fights. That’s nothing to sneeze at. It takes a lot of hard work & dedication for a boxer to get his body on par with what his mind wants to do. Not only does he hit extremely hard but his overall fight game does not seem too shabby
Cons: While G3 is a middleweight it would seem that his promotional team as well as Golovkin himself would like to drop down a weight class in order to take on the two hottest boxers in the sport right now in Floyd and Canelo. Personally I feel as if this would be the ruination of a good thing. Although he walks around at 167 or so it would seem almost impossible to drop to 154 without losing muscle and sacrificing brain fluid. Why rush? Golovkin can achieve boxing preeminence with four victories. Although these victories will probably come just as hard as he punches. The first Quillin” kid chocolate”would be a awesome battle for Golovkin albeit a hypothetical one due to the promotional houses, as well as the television networks fight for the top spot in the sport. The second Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez if Golovkin can knock off the kingpin of the division as well as the Jack of Clubs in Quillin then he can move on the the next stage. Chavez Jr at 168. With this victory in hand Golovkin would be one step closer to P4P dominance with just one hurdle to go. Well it’s more like one K2 trek in the indomitable Andre Ward. If Golovkin could topple Ward a complete fighter well he would reign supreme in the game
Up next Mikey Garcia. This kid can flat out box or fight. However you want it he’ll give it to you. Mikey Garcia is like the sum total of all the Garcia’s blood, sweat and tears poured out for us the fans into the pugilistic science known as boxing. As I was writing this article I wavered furiously between introducing Golovkin first or Garcia. Ultimately G3 got the nod but only because he was heavier. It just seems more realistic that he would beat me up much worst than Mikey would, but at the end of the day I don’t think my wife would recognize me either way. Mikey Garcia is like a violent ballerina or a matador. When watching him fight I just have the urge to scream Ole! I mean the combinations technical craft, inside outside knockouts man Arum has really got him a prize here. No one can deny that. When Garcia Fights it’s 1.3 million views or better every time.
Pros well I’ve praised him so much that I really don’t have much to say besides, Garcia could usurp a lot of people’s current GOAT list. He pretty much has a grasp of all aspect’s of the fight game. Impeccable balance, power, speed, defense, ring IQ, ring generalship etc etc.
Cons uh well his competition is a little weak but he handles them in impeccable fashion similar to G3 so he can’t really be faulted there he beats who they put in front of him. However his promoter is of a far superior industry standard then G3’s. He has none other than the legendary Bob Arum as his promoter. You may say what you want about Arum but his promotional brilliance cannot be denied. The man is a legend. He may be a little jaded when it comes to making superstars though seeing how he had a huge role in making, De la Hoya, Mayweather, and Cotto- He picked the fights and blabbed about it they did the hard work of winning. He put up the cash they whooped the … you get the point. I need Arum to unleash Garcia on someone of note. That’s not really a knock on Garcia so much as its a knock on Arum but hey he’s young why rush.
Abner mares. He made a big impression in the minds of many with that convincing win on May 4th. Showing us why he won that gold Medal. That victory must have been bitter sweet to have to step over a friend in the pursuit of ones ambitions is no easy task but Mares got the job done and managed to steal the show from one of, if not the best boxer right now in Mayweather. Mares usually uses a plodding come forward head in your chest style that leaves a bad taste in your mouth but gets the job done. This particular style of his while successful doesn’t do it for this writer. The Mares I witnessed on May 4th 2013 now that guy I would watch just about any day of the week. The swift powerful one twos. The movement and slipping of punches was superb. I almost forgot that it was Abner Mares because he totally changed his style for that particular fight showing a lot of adaptability.
Pros: Mares is young hungry and able to win a fight by many different means. he can beat you in a dirty fight or a clean fight . A whatever it takes approach complimented with Olympic gold. Even Mares unsuccessful attempt to get the Donaire fight showed his integrity and willingness to take on top tier competition.
Cons: The cons really have to do with his fights prior to May 4th . Those fights were ones to forget. I mean the last time I saw him on showtime I was actually mad at him and the referee! Mares claimed the opponent was holding his head down , but he was attacking with his head down. The referee condoned this behavior and even docked a point from the contender for of all things holding down Mares head. With his latest victory however over Ponce Deleon I felt as though he was worthy of the list.
Peter Quillin, Kid chocolate while not getting the shine has been quietly racking up victory after victory. Kid Chocolate is very entertaining. He knocked N’Dam down I believe 5 times. Although he was unable to finish him he let you know there is some pop behind those shots. His last fight while against a guy that moved up a division was entertaining nonetheless. He did what the bigger man is supposed to do. Punish the little guy for challenging his strength. Quillin’s style can best be described as sheer aggression. However don’t get it confused Quillin has good movement and a pretty sound defense. His reflexes are very good and he’s always looking to finish you.
Pros: Quillin is very young and has a lot of very good fights ahead of him if he can just persevere and continue to utterly dominate the competition thats put in front of him while improving his craft he will eventually land a huge fight with the likes of Martinez or Golovkin. His potential can’t be denied however
Cons: It seems that everyone just wants the fame without putting in the proper work. Versus Quillin chasing after Martinez or G3 he should just be more active. If they won’t come to you take away their competition and eventually they will have no choice but to face you. His lack of activity at this point in his career is a little disappointing, however he is a very gifted fighter nonetheless
Leo Santa Cruz. You have gotta love this kid he just really loves a good fight. I mean he fought four times last year. Battering the competition all the while.It was almost sad to watch his competition try to no avail. They were punished with unbridled ferocity. Santa Cruz may have a handsome smile but his blows are like Freddy Kruger in your dreams, down right frightening. He plods forward methodically just handing out a pure uncut beating what’s not to be liked.
Pros: He’s active , he likes to fight and doesn’t shy away from a punch always willing to go mano “e” mano his counters are vicious and crisp
Cons: He’s a little flat footed, and could use some lateral movement but hey beggars can’t be choosers
Guillermo Rigondeaux. He’s a slippery one managed to knock off a very good boxer and make him look ordinary in the process. A two time Olympic gold medalist a champion with only twelve professional fights. Wait what? Twelve fights this guy should be wet behind the ears. Rigo has enough experience to run laps around the majority of so called professional boxers today. He’s almost too good for his own good after putting on a clinic at Radio City Music Hall. Showing off various tricks of the trade, and a uncanny understanding of his opponent that made me feel as though The Flash needed to return to school and study for his masters in boxing before even attempting a rubix cube like Rigondeaux HBO doesn’t even want to give him a fight date thats just sad.
Pros: He’s slick has good power, knows the in’s and outs of boxing just as much as Mayweather.
Cons: He can’t get a fight he’s too perfect how the hell did this happen. He’s just to risky a opponent and too much of a ratings risk because you won’t touch him and he’ll hit you but not with enough force to knock you out. The casual fan is left scratching their heads while avid boxing fans like me are in awe. Unfortunately this combination is like oil and water I fear for his career. At this rate Rigondeaux will either languish in obscurity with his accolades or get a new trainer to help him with the excitement department.
Adonis Stevenson. With a knockout like that how can he be denied, even if Chad Dawson was a shot fighter after draining his body to make 168 in an attempt to defeat Andre Ward. That knockout was a surprise as well as a breath of fresh air. It signaled the start of what we hope to be a success story for one man and a horrible nightmare for a once promising star. Adonis I came from Canada where else Stevenson. Wow It happened so fast I was happy I have boxing scheduled to record at all times on my tele. Because before I could finish the sentence whilst popping my popcorn that Chad Dawson was fighting some Bum Adonis Stevenson had me talking to the television pleading with Chad Dawson like what the H happened to you. It was a little while before I gave him his just due he’s good and his power must be respectinized. (yes, that’s respect and recognize combined)
Pros: He put Chad Dawson out of his misery
Cons: Who’s he fighting next? As a boxing fan I’m just prone to being fickle just like the sport .
Honorable mention goes to Keith Thurman, Bermane Stiverne, Ishe Smith, Carlos Molina, Marcos Maidana, Devon Alexander and Lucas Matthyse. They all deserve at least three article’s but my duties as a father are calling till next we meet fight fans
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