By Paul Walsh: With the inactivity of Floyd Mayweather, the erratic performances of Manny Pacquiao and the decline of the heavyweight division, boxing is crying out for “the next big thing”.
Luckily for us, there is a wealth of talent ready to step up to the plate.
1. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez– the obvious pretender to the crown. The 22 year old is unbeaten in 42 fights (30 by the way of KO) and is the reigning WBC light middleweight champion. Albeit a padded record and he won the title in controversial circumstances, you cannot argue the Mexican superstar is an accomplished fighter, with immense power, accuracy and lightning speed. I can see him quite easily going through the weights and adding many more big names to his record along the way.
2. Adrien “the problem” Broner– the unbeaten American (24-24-0-0) 20 wins by KO is a huge talent. He was also the youngest world champion at 21 but has since relinquished that belt to go up to 135 where he will challenge reigning WBC king Antonio DeMarco. With the skills and charisma which would make Floyd Mayweather and Roy Jones blush you cannot help but agree that this kid is “the problem”. Broner much like Canelo is a young exciting fighter with all the ability in the world, the potential (and frame) to go through the weights which I fully expect him to. However, unlikely “Money” Mayweather I do think he will be beaten but he is definitely one to watch. I am hoping for a lightweight unification bout with Ricky Burns in the summer.
3. David Price– Another unbeaten fighter makes the list and the Liverpudlian has all the tools and attributes to dominate the heavyweight division for a long time. Having trained with the Klitschkos he is no stranger to mixing it with the best in the world. Price is blessed with the size of a super heavyweight but the skills and speed of a welterweight so I don’t think it will be long before he is knocking on the door for a world title bout.
4. Kell “Special K” Brook– The English welterweight is indeed “special”. After coming through his first “gut check” against Carson Jones and an IBF world title shot around the corner (which I expect him to win) it won’t be long until the Sheffield lads name is up in lights on the Las Vegas strip. One thing’s for sure, he will not be short of top class opposition as arguably he is in the best division (welterweight) in the world. The possibility of some huge domestic showdowns are on the horizon with the likes of Amir Khan and Ricky Hatton being touted, there are some exciting times ahead for Kell. With his skill, speed, power and accuracy I don’t think he will be there just to make up the numbers. On his day he is a match for anyone.
5. Andre “Son of God” Ward– Arguably he is already one of boxing’s biggest stars and I really do think it will remain that way and his “0” will remain intact. The introduction of Amir Khan to his stable will not have an impact on him as he will still be the number one fighter. Ward dismantled the super middleweight division, winning the super six crown along the way. After watching he takes current light heavyweight Champion Chad Dawson apart for 10 rounds I think moving up weights is the logical step. If you look at the current light heavyweight champions there aren’t too many names on that list which would worry Ward. A possible fight with Nathan Cleverly or Tony Bellew would be mouth-watering but I would expect him to come through both quite easily.
So there you have it, there a number of possible future stars. The question is who will live up to their billing and fulfil their undoubted potential??? Only time will tell.
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