Who could become the next Boxing “Superstar”?

By Boxing News - 07/13/2011 - Comments

By David Kassel: Take a look at the four major sports and you willl be able to find someone who sticks out as a superstar. Baseball has Pujols and A-Rod. Football has Manning and Brady. In basketball it’s Kobe and Lebron. Even hockey has Crosby and Ovechkin. These are the types of athletes who are the first thing that comes to mind when their sport comes up in conversation.

To be a superstar in the sport of boxing a fighter must possess a few of the following intangibles: an excellent win-loss record (not necessarily undefeated), a fan-friendly fighting style, an engaging personality, excellent ticket sales, big television and pay-per-view ratings, and American recognition.

Boxing has always had someone filling the role of superstar. Jack Johnson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Rocky Marciano, Jack Dempsey, Mike Tyson, and Oscar De La Hoya are just a few that come to mind. Two men currently occupy the role of boxing superstar…Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. While we continue to sit and wait for those two to get in the ring with one another there are names being thrown around as boxing’s next big thing.

In alphabetical order, here is a list of potential future superstars in boxing…

Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (37-0-1 27 KO’s): The 20-year-old freckle-faced, red-head is already a superstar in his native Mexico consistently drawing huge television ratings (over 30 million Mexicans tuned in to watch his June fight against Ryan Rhodes). His record is astounding considering he isn’t even old enough to drink in the United States, he is an all-action fighter, a big ticket seller in Mexico and the West Coast of the U.S., and has American notoriety.

Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (43-0-1 30 KO’s): The 25-year-old Mexican has the name, an excellent record, is a big draw in Mexico and the U.S., and does big television ratings. With Golden Boy and Top Rank finally agreeing on a truce, we hope it’s just a matter of time before Chavez and Alvarez square off to see who the best young Mexican warrior is. That fight could potentially boost the winner into “superstar” status.

Yuriorkis Gamboa (20-0 16 KO’s): This Cuban defector and former Olympic Gold Medalist may be small in stature (5’5″), but there is arguably nobody in boxing with a more all-out, relentless fighting spirit. Gamboa is willing to take on all-comers and is already a big television draw in America. Gamboa possesses all the intangibles to be a superstar.

Amir Khan (25-1 17 KO’s): The U.K. native is already a household name across the world and draws big television ratings in the States. He has all the tools to be a great champion for years to come and a great trainer in Freddie Roach to guide him along the way. A few more big wins for Khan could lead to a showdown with Floyd Mayweather. The only question Khan still faces is whether his chin will hold up against the best in the world.

Juan Manuel Lopez (30-1 27 KO’s): Forget about Lopez’s last fight when he was knocked out by Orlando Salido. The fact still remains he is a huge draw in Puerto Rico and the U.S., does excellent television ratings, is a big personality, and has an all-action style. If Juanma can get back to his winning ways look for a possible match-up against Gamboa in the fall of 2012.

Victor Ortiz (29-2-2 22 KO’s): Ortiz has rebounded nicely since his embarrassing knockout loss against Marcos Maidana. An upset win over Floyd Mayweather in September would immediately bump Ortiz from “star” to “superstar” in one night. He is a fan-friendly fighter and clearly a big enough name for Mayweather to risk his undefeated record against. All “Vicious” Victor needs is to knock off “Money” in front of millions on pay-per-view.

Brandon Rios (28-0-1 21 KO’s): “Bam Bam” is a 25-year-old free-spirit with a big personality and even bigger potential. His knockout wins over Miguel Acosta and Urbano Antillon, in addition to his cameos as Antontio Margarito’s sparring partner on 24/7 (Pacquiao/Margarito), have placed Rios in the American spotlight. He is still young and still vulnerable, but the Oxnard, California resident has shown no signs of slowing down and no signs of backing down from a fight.

Andre Ward (24-0 13 KO’s): Already in the Top-10 on most Pound-for Pound lists, the 27-year-old world champion and former Olympic Gold Medalist has name recognition, an excellent resume, the Hollywood looks, and the skills to be one of the best. Winning the Super Six tournament championship would help inch Ward closer to greatness. The only roadblock between Ward and superstar status may be the lack of star-power in and around his division.

Still too soon to tell but be on the lookout: Adrien Broner, Tyson Fury, Miguel Angel (Mikey) Garcia, Omar Henry, Mike Jones, Lateef Kayode, Erislandy Lara, Andy Lee, Abner Mares, Rico Ramos.

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