The nature of boxing is such that a given fighter may be only one or two perfectly timed punches away from sudden notoriety. Such was the case last year when the streaking Vic Darchinyan was suddenly pole-axed by the perfectly timed left hook of Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire. In a mere heartbeat, the heavily favored and previously undefeated Darchinyan lost his perfect record and the IBF Flyweight Title. It was the kind of sudden and shocking victory that causes fans to ask ?who is this guy?? and to want to see more of him in the future. All it can take is a moment, and a fighter can go from being virtually invisible to suddenly in demand and considered worthy of another look. A couple such showings and all of a sudden a fighter is considered Mr. Excitement.
I?ve compiled a list of ten fighters that today are perceived to be some of the most exciting and compelling presently active in the sport. They are given to making notable headlines and drawing the interest of fans from all around the globe. They are good enough to leave fans waiting in anticipation for their next bout.
Miguel Cotto 31-0, 25 KO’s WBA Welterweight Champion
Make no bones about it, Miguel Cotto is in demand. It is generally conceded that Cotto is the fighter most fans want to see share the ring with the undefeated WBC Welterweight Champion and reigning pound per pound king, Floyd Mayweather, JR. Cotto has chopped down an impressive list of foes over the last three years, including standouts such as Zab Judah and ?Sugar? Shane Mosley. Cotto?s relentless seek and destroy forward momentum brings out the excitement factor in his opponents. Adding to the drama, Cotto has at times been rocked, suggesting perhaps that his chin is somewhat vulnerable.
Vic Darchinyan 29-1, 23 KO?s
The former IBF Flyweight Champion is a former champion today because of the sheer blind faith he had in his ability to overpower and ultimately discombobulate his foes. In his first comeback bout since the loss, Darchinyan was rocked, dropped and taken into deep waters by a nondescript tune-up opponent. It can be argued that Darchinyan?s confidence may be lacking. There?s no argument however with regard to his porous defense. Given his penchant for wading in and attacking, expect Darchinyan to provide more thrills and maybe even a few more spills.
Kelly Pavlik 32-0, 29 KO’s WBC/WBO Middleweight Champion
What?s not to love about a guy that looks to deliver, gets dropped, gets up and looks to be completely finished, but manages to not only find a way to ride out the storm, but actually causes enough of a storm of his own to pull it out in explosive fashion? Expect further such heroics from Pavlik before he is considered a ghost of his former self.
Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz 33-0, 17 KO’s WBA/WBO/IBF Lightweight Champion
The ?Baby Bull? isn?t an explosive puncher. He?s the kind of fighter that glues himself to the chest of his foe and works his way through the gears until something gives. Possessing excellent hand speed and punch volume, complimenting his aggressive body attack, he creates continuous excitement in his bouts.
Edwin Valero 23-0, 23 KO’s WBA Super Featherweight Champion
Valero?s record of twenty-three straight knockout victories says it all. He?s a gunslinger in the classic sense. And while his opposition to date doesn?t compare to the other marquee names in or around his current weight class, it is improving. A skilled boxer that has bought into his press clippings and fallen in love with his power, Valero doesn?t bring much in the way of science. His explosive power coupled with his apparent willingness to call out the best available competition should and likely will provide some enjoyable tense moments for fans down the road.
Alejandro Berrio 26-5, 25 KO?s
Perhaps Berrio is today?s best example of the kill or be killed approach. In each of the power punching Colombian?s five losses, he?s been whacked. He accrued twenty-five of his current twenty-six wins by bludgeoning his opposition. The former IBF Super Middleweight Champion?s motto could easily be ?He who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.?
David Haye 20-1, 19 KO’s WBA/WBC Cruiserweight Champion
The British Cruiserweight King can bomb with the best of them. He?s no stranger to the canvas and questions abound as to the size of his gas tank. Poised for greater things off of his recent championship victory, expect Haye to keep winning only as long as he can manage to avoid the punches of other top contenders, while landing his own.
Kermit Cintron 29-1, 27 KO’s IBF Welterweight Champion
Cintron really has it all as a devastating puncher, easily sparking twenty-two of his first twenty-four foes before being sparked himself. Credit to him for regrouping, winning a world championship and for calling out all of the top names at welterweight, today?s most talent rich division. Should the opportunity for unification become reality, expect Cintron to force the pace of the match, and to either walk away with another world title ? or be carried out on his shield.
Antonio Margarito 35-5, 25 KO?s
The former WBO Welterweight King is arguably the most avoided fighter in and around welterweight in decades. Margarito is a consummate professional and a dyed in the wool warrior. Should any one of today?s top welter?s accept him as an assignment, expect Margarito to force a pitched life and death battle for survival. In a way, he is the ultimate welterweight version of the acid test.
Manny Pacquiao 45-3-2, 35 KO’s
Yeah, I know, Pacquiao didn?t produce sparks in his most recent effort, a rematch with a faded variant of Marco Antonio Barrera, but much of that had to do with Barrera being intent on lasting the twelve rounds as opposed to trying to win. If anything, Pacquiao likes a good dust-up, to the point that he has become periodically reckless in past bouts while looking to produce sparks. Look for him to attempt to engage Juan Manuel Marquez, given his druthers. If it becomes another pedestrian effort, it will be because of Marquez? strategy, and not due to any lack of willingness to put the pedal to the metal on the part of The Pacman.
